Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Montanita?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montanita or Guayaquil?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Montanita or Guayaquil, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Montanita or Guayaquil?
Montanita
Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.
Guayaquil
Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city and seaport. From a tourist perspective, the city acts primarily as a transportation gateway to the country and the Galapagos Islands. While the city can be skipped altogether, should you have a free day to spend here, there are a few noteworthy things to do, as well as some terrific dining and nightlife options. Guayaquil’s main tourist attraction is Las Penas, a hill with old, colorfully painted buildings at the north end of the Malecon, where you can walk the 400 steps to the lighthouse at the top for good views of the city. The neighborhood is filled with cafes, bars, restaurants, and art galleries and is relatively safe. Other important sights include the Malecon 2000, a massive urban development project that has brought new life to the riverside in the city center and the Parque Seminario, filled with fountains, trees and iguanas, located at 10 de Agosto Ave and Chile Ave.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontanita $96Guayaquil $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Montanita is $96, while the average daily cost in Guayaquil is $95. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Montanita and Guayaquil in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontanita $41Guayaquil $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontanita $82Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Montanita and Guayaquil
Looking for a hotel in Montanita or Guayaquil? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Guayaquil Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montanita $39Guayaquil $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil
Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer Guayaquil - Montañita: $250
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE): Transfer to Guayaquil hotels: $132
- Transfer Cuenca - Guayaquil (or Vice versa) With Visit To Cajas National Park: $128
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $100
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil hotels to Manta Cruise Port: $100
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $90
- Guayaquil Airport Private Transfer Service: $80
- Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Guayaquil - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $60
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE) to Guayaquil hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $53
- Shared transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $47
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $47
- Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil city -Arrival Private Transfer: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Montanita or Guayaquil?
Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Montanita change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayMontanita $28Guayaquil $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Guayaquil Culinary Adventure, Cacao Cooking Class: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montanita $31Guayaquil $21
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- City Tour Guayaquil: $40
- Cocoa and Gastronomy Tour at Hacienda CacaoyMango: $155
- Dolphin Watching Experience in Puerto El Morro from Guayaquil: $165
- Exclusive private luxury cocoa experience: $187
- From Cloud Forest/Waterfalls Private Tour & Lunch: $159
- From Montañita: Paragliding Experience: $55
- Full Day Ayangue Tour with Snorkeling in The Pelado's Islote: $295
- Full Day Private Churute Mangroves Reserve and Cocoa Farm Tour: $255
- Full Day Zhagal Thermal Baths Tour from Guayaquil: $263
- Full day private tour Mangroves, dolphins and birds from guayaquil : $215
- Full day tour Mangroves, dolphins and cocoa farm from guayaquil: $225
- Full-Day Cuenca and Traditional Craft Beer Tasting Tour: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontanita $7.86Guayaquil $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Guayaquil
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guayaquil:
- Taste and discover the factory of a craft brewery: $20
- Wine Tasting Experience with Tasting Menu: $59
When comparing the travel costs between Montanita and Guayaquil, we can see that Montanita is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montanita Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Montanita or Guayaquil?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Montanita or Guayaquil in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montanita and Guayaquil. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Montanita usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Montanita gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Montanita is around the same temperature as Guayaquil in the summer. The daily temperature in Montanita averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontanita 25°C (78°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Montanita or Guayaquil in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montanita as well as Guayaquil. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.
Montanita usually gets less rain in October than Guayaquil. Montanita gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Montanita is a little warmer than Guayaquil. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montanita in October average around 26°C (78°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontanita 26°C (78°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Montanita or Guayaquil in the Winter?
Both Guayaquil and Montanita are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. In January, Montanita usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Montanita gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Montanita is generally around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Montanita average around 27°C (80°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontanita 27°C (80°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Montanita or Guayaquil in the Spring?
Both Guayaquil and Montanita during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.
Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Montanita usually gets less rain in April than Guayaquil. Montanita gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Montanita is around the same temperature as Guayaquil in the spring. The daily temperature in Montanita averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontanita 27°C (81°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Montanita
| Montanita | Guayaquil | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.