Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Guayaquil?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montego Bay and Guayaquil can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Montego Bay or Guayaquil?
Montego Bay
As with most places around the tropical oasis of Jamaica, Montego Bay (or "MoBay") is an ideal place to visit for a Caribbean getaway. It is Jamaica's second largest city and the capital of St. James parish on the northern coast. Montego Bay is considered to be the tourist capital of the country and is where the largest airport is located, bringing in many international travelers.
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, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Guayaquil $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, 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 Montego Bay and Guayaquil in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Guayaquil $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Guayaquil
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay 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: Montego Bay Hotel Prices and Guayaquil Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Guayaquil $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Transfer from/to Airport, Riu Reggae, Riu Montego Bay, Riu Palace: $17
- Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Iberostar zone: $55
- Tobys Resort Private Airport Transfer: $20
- Sunset at the Palms Negril Airport Transfers: $53
- Southcoast Private Airport Transfer: $108
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Negril: $27
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Lucea : $20
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $8.33
- Secrets Wild Orchid Hotel Airport Transfer : $21
- Secrets Wild Ochid/ St. James Private Airport Transfer: $43
- Secrets Resort Airport Transfer: $20
- Secrets & Breathless Hotel Montego Bay - Private Airport Transfer: $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil
Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $12
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport.: $17
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $17
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $18
- Private Airport Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer In From Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $25
- Private Transfers to and from the Airport in Guayaquil: $25
- Private Transfer Out From Hotel to Guayaquil Airport: $25
- Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil city -Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Transfer from Guayaquil airport to the hotel and vice versa: $30
- Shared transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $47
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Guayaquil?
Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Montego Bay 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 dayMontego Bay $84Guayaquil $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Private Transportation to DINNER or NIGHT CLUBS: $55
- Lunch or Dinner with Pickup from Montego Bay : $81
- Night cruise and swim the Falmouth Mystic Lagoon, Dinner and Rum Punch Inclusive: $85
- Rick’s Cafe Cliff Diving, Sunset & Dinner Tour with Transportation : $130
- Sunset Boat Ride in the Falmouth Luminous Lagoon swim and Dinner : $165
- Sunset Boat Cruise in Falmouth Luminous Lagoon, Swim and Dinner : $170
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Houseboat Restaurant and Grill for Dinner Private Transportation : $180
- Private Sea-Food Tour & Floyds Pelican Bar from Montego Bay or ..: $185
- [PRIVATE] Premium Jamaican Food Tour of Local Cuisine: $190
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.Montego Bay $32Guayaquil $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
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Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.74
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$38
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$44
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- ATV Adventure to Seven Mile Beach and Ricks Cafe: $220
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting, and Horseback Ride Tour From Montego Bay: $173
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Pelican Bar Customize Tour: $120
- Bioluminescence Lagoon tour from Montego Bay with Pick Up: $105
- Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
- Blue Hole Adventure Tour : $120
- Dirt Adventure ATV from Montego Bay: $160
- Floyds Pelican Bar Private Tour : $155
- Green Grotto Cave Private Tour: $115
- Horseback Riding and Tour from Montego Bay : $230
- Jetski Experience: $245
- Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Guayaquil City Tour: $18
- 1-hour Pacari Wine and Chocolate Tasting Experience: $20
- Shared Walking Tour in Guayaquil City: $35
- City Tour Guayaquil: $40
- Guayaquil City Tour: $40
- Self-guided walking tour of Guayaquil's landmarks.: $45
- Private Experience of Flavors and Wine Pairing in Guayaquil: $52
- From Montañita: Paragliding Experience: $55
- City Tour with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off: $63
- Guayaquil to Cuenca one-way tour with Cajas Park and a Cacao Farm visit: $74
- City Tour around Guayaquil: $75
- Private Guayaquil City Tour and Parque Historico: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Guayaquil $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Montego Bay
Also in Montego Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $39
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $215
Sample the Local Flavors in Guayaquil
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guayaquil:
- Wine Tasting Experience with Tasting Menu: $55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Guayaquil, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Guayaquil much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Guayaquil is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Guayaquil would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guayaquil and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Montego Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montego Bay than you might in Guayaquil.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montego Bay Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Guayaquil?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Guayaquil, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Montego Bay or Guayaquil?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Montego Bay or Guayaquil in the Summer?
Both Guayaquil and Montego Bay during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay 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. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than Guayaquil. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Montego Bay is a little warmer than Guayaquil. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Guayaquil in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Guayaquil. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Montego Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Guayaquil. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Guayaquil in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Guayaquil. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than Guayaquil. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Montego Bay is cooler than Guayaquil in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Guayaquil in the Spring?
Both Guayaquil and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay 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 April, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Montego Bay is cooler than Guayaquil. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Guayaquil | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.