A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Piriapolis vs. Guayaquil for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Piriapolis or Guayaquil?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Piriapolis 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: Piriapolis or Guayaquil?

Piriapolis

Piriapolis is a small beach town between Montevideo and Punta del Este in Uruguay. It is a more laid back version of Punta del Este with fewer fancy restaurants and clubs but it has perhaps more charm, with its grand old hotel and beachfront promenade backed by small mountains. The rather old-school coastal resort is vaguely reminiscent of a Mediterranean beach town.

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 Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Piriapolis?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Piriapolis is $67, 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 Piriapolis and Guayaquil in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Piriapolis $27
    Guayaquil $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Piriapolis $54
    Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Piriapolis and Guayaquil

Looking for a hotel in Piriapolis 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.

Hotels in Piriapolis


Hotels in Guayaquil


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: Piriapolis Hotel Prices and Guayaquil Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Piriapolis $31
    Guayaquil $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil

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

  • Guayaquil Airport (GYE) to Guayaquil hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
  • Guayaquil Airport (GYE): Transfer to Guayaquil hotels: $129
  • Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil city -Arrival Private Transfer: $29
  • Guayaquil Airport Private Transfer Service: $80
  • Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Guayaquil - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $18
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $17
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport.: $17
  • Private Airport Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $20
  • Private Transfer Out From Hotel to Guayaquil Airport: $25
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $88
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $98

Is it cheaper to fly into Piriapolis or Guayaquil?

Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Piriapolis 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
    Piriapolis $23
    Guayaquil $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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Piriapolis $5.89
    Guayaquil $21

Tours and Activities in Guayaquil

For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 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
  • Guayaquil City Tour Including the Light House of Cerro Santa Ana: $80
  • Guayaquil Layover Sightseeing Tour with Round-Trip Airport Transport: $82

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Piriapolis $8.11
    Guayaquil $17

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
  • Taste and discover the factory of a craft brewery: $65


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

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


Which is Bigger, Piriapolis or Guayaquil?

Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Piriapolis. When comparing the sizes of Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis or Guayaquil?

Piriapolis has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Guayaquil experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Piriapolis or Guayaquil in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Piriapolis as well as Guayaquil. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.

Piriapolis is around the same temperature as Guayaquil in the summer. The daily temperature in Piriapolis averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. Piriapolis usually gets less rain in January than Guayaquilin July. Piriapolis gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Piriapolis 23°C (73°F) 
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Piriapolis or Guayaquil in the Autumn?

Both Guayaquil and Piriapolis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Piriapolis is cooler than Guayaquil. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Piriapolis in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.

In April, Piriapolis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Guayaquilin October. Piriapolis gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Piriapolis 17°C (63°F) 
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Piriapolis or Guayaquil in the Winter?

Both Guayaquil and Piriapolis during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.

In July, Piriapolis is generally much colder than Guayaquilin January. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 10°C (50°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Piriapolis usually gets less rain in July than Guayaquilin January. Piriapolis gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Piriapolis 10°C (50°F) 
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Piriapolis or Guayaquil in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Piriapolis and Guayaquil. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Piriapolis is much colder than Guayaquil in the spring. The daily temperature in Piriapolis averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in April.

Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Piriapolis usually receives less rain than Guayaquilin April. Piriapolis gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Piriapolis 16°C (61°F) 
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Piriapolis

Piriapolis Guayaquil
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (73°F) 75 mm (3 in) 28°C (82°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 230 mm (9.1 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 10°C (50°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Aug 11°C (52°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Sep 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)