A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pereira vs. Guadalajara for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pereira or Guadalajara?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Pereira and Guadalajara. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Pereira or Guadalajara?

Pereira

Situated in a small valley in the western Andes, Pereira is the capital city of Risaralda, Colombia. The city is surrounded by coffee producing agriculture and sits in the middle of a triangle of cities including Bogota, Medillin and Cali, each of which is about a three to five hour drive away.

The city itself is very much student oriented, as there are many universities around town and at least one quarter of the population is made up of students. There is also a very European vibe to the city and you will find the area beautiful with many parks and museums.

Pereira's economy is based on government, agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, trade, commerce, and tourism. Agricultural products include sugarcane, cacao, rubber, cereals, coffee, and livestock. Apparel is the main manufacturing product, along with aluminium goods, motorcycles and telecommunications technology.

Pereira is found in a warm moorland area with an average temperature of around 72 degrees. The temperatures remain relatively consistent throughout the year with highs in the high 70s Fahrenheit to low 80s Fahrenheit. Low temperatures are usually in the low 60s Fahrenheit. Rain is heaviest during the months of April and May as well as October and November.

Guadalajara

Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, as well as one of the country's largest cities. It is best known for tequila and mariachi music, which both originate in Jalisco, as well as a thriving historic center with colonial architecture and landmarks.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Guadalajara or Pereira?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pereira is $66, while the average daily cost in Guadalajara is $117. 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 Pereira and Guadalajara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pereira $27
    Guadalajara $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pereira $54
    Guadalajara $84
Compare Hotels in Pereira and Guadalajara

Looking for a hotel in Pereira or Guadalajara? 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.

Hotels in Pereira


Hotels in Guadalajara


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: Pereira Hotel Prices and Guadalajara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pereira $21
    Guadalajara $39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pereira

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Pereira are as follows:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $1.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pereira

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pereira:

  • Santa Rosa Cabal to Pereira Airport PEI - Departure Transfer: $63
  • Private Transfer Pereira to Salento (or vice versa): $59
  • Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer: Matecaña Airport: $44
  • One way transfer from Pereira to Salento AND/OR Salento to Pereira: $43
  • Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer: Matecaña Intl Airport: $41
  • Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer La Nubia Airport: $20
  • One-Way Private Transfer from Matecaña Airport: $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guadalajara

Also for Guadalajara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer to Guadalajara Hotels: $119
  • Airport-Chapala/Ajijic Transfer: $229
  • Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $98
  • Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Tequila - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
  • Guadalajara Airport (GDL): Transfer to Guadalajara hotels: $174
  • Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Tequila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
  • Guadalajara hotels to Guadalajara Airport (GDL) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
  • Guadalajara to Tequila - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $98
  • Airport to City Transfer: $151
  • Private Transfer from Guadalajara city hotels to Manzanillo Port: $76
  • Private transfer from Guadalajara to Sayulita: $240
  • Private transfer: Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara: $73

Is it cheaper to fly into Pereira or Guadalajara?

Prices for flights to both Guadalajara and Pereira 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pereira $23
    Guadalajara $48
Typical Food Prices in Pereira

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pereira:


  • Hamburger
    $1.70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pereira $19
    Guadalajara $28

Tours and Activities in Pereira

Here are a few actual costs in Pereira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Chocolate Tour - Wonders of the Cacao: $186
  • City Tour Historic Center of Manizales in Caldas: $46
  • Cocora Valley and Salento Hike Tour: $79
  • Cocora Valley and Salento Horseback Riding Day Tour: $137
  • Cocora Valley, Salento and Coffee Farm Day Tour : $124
  • Cocora Valley, Salento and Filandia Full-Day Private Tour: $246
  • Cocora, Salento and Coffee Experience: $258
  • Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour with Lunch: $87
  • Coffee Farm and Santa Rosa Hot Springs Tour from Pereira or Armenia: $151
  • Coffee Tour at the Finca del Café: $40
  • Coffee Tour, Sighting Pereira: $125
  • Explore Colombia’s Magic Destination on this 10-Day Tour: $2,649

Tours and Activities in Guadalajara

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Guadalajara.

  • Guadalajara Unique Highlights Walking Tour: $10
  • KidZania Entrance Ticket: $12
  • 10-Day Audio Guide Tour of Guadalajara: $12
  • Guided Tour of the Historic Center of Guadalajara in French: $15
  • Guadalajara City Tour: $20
  • Great Experience With A Tour Guide With Spark: $21
  • ticket to Michin Aquarium: $28
  • Private Guadalajara City Tour Within Your Budget: $31
  • Culture, Architecture, and Market Walking Tour: $32
  • Guadalajara Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
  • Private Walking Tour of Guadalajara: $36
  • Private City Sightseeing Tour: $36

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pereira $14
    Guadalajara $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Guadalajara

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guadalajara:

  • Guadalajara Arquitecture and Brewery Tour: $56
  • Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town: $77
  • Private One Day Adventure Tour in Tequila and La Fortaleza Distillery: $173
  • Sip & Savor Tequila Experience Distillery w/ Lunch fr Guadalajara: $180
  • Private Tour La Fortaleza Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
  • Private Tour Cascahuin Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
  • Private Tour to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
  • Private Tour one day in Guachimontones and La Fortaleza Distillery: $209
  • Private Tour to Tequila Ocho Distillery and the Town of Arandas: $209
  • Guachimontones and Tequila Distillery in One Day: $264


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pereira and Guadalajara, we can see that Guadalajara is more expensive. And not only is Pereira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pereira is in South America and Guadalajara is in North 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 Pereira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pereira 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 Guadalajara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guadalajara than you might in Pereira.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pereira Expensive? and Is Guadalajara Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Pereira or Guadalajara?

Guadalajara has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pereira. When comparing the sizes of Pereira and Guadalajara, 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.