Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Playa del Carmen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Guayaquil?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Guayaquil? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Playa del Carmen or Guayaquil?
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula. It's a popular resort town and is about seventy kilometers south of Cancun. It has a European atmosphere with many small hotels and a nice relaxed feel. It was originally a small fishing town but tourism began with the introduction of a passenger ferry to Cozumel. The area developed rapidly and there are many luxury hotels, condos, and resorts. There are also American chains and a variety of shopping opportunities nearby.
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 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, 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 dayPlaya del Carmen $81Guayaquil $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $81, 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 Playa del Carmen and Guayaquil in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $40Guayaquil $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $80Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Guayaquil
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen 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: Playa del Carmen Hotel Prices and Guayaquil Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $24Guayaquil $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Wedding Transfers Services in Round Trip Playa del Carmen: $180
- Transfers in Lincoln StretchLimo from Puerto Aventuras-Cun Airport.: $194
- Transfer in Private vehicle from Akumal City - Cancun Airport (CUN) : $74
- Tour Bacalar Ponton with Transfer from Cancun & Playa del Carmen : $147
- Shared transfer from Playa del Carmen tu Cancun airport: $25
- Shared roundtrip transfer from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen: $71
- Shared Transfer Cancun Airport - Puerto Aventuras: $48
- Shared Transfer Cancun Airport - Playa del Carmen: $31
- Roundtrip Private Transfer Playa del Carmen from CUN: $173
- Private Transfer: Akumal to Cancun Airport CUN in SUV: $109
- Private Transfer to Xplor / Xenses / Xplor Fire from Playa del Carmen: $25
- Private Transfer to Xel-Há Park from Playa del Carmen: $53
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: $30
- 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 In From Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $25
- Private Transfer Out From Hotel to Guayaquil Airport: $25
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Guayaquil?
Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Playa del Carmen 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 dayPlaya del Carmen $24Guayaquil $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Playa del Carmen
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Playa del Carmen.
- Cenotes by Bike and Mayan Cooking Class Half-Day Guided Tour: $60
- Walking Food Tour: $65
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $77
- Mexican Cooking Class: $100
- Seafood Tour in Playa del Carmen: $101
- PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $104
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Playa del Carmen: $120
- Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120
- Cultural Coba Sunset Adventure with Dinner and show from Cancun: $130
- Sunset Adventure in Coba and Dinner with Show from Riviera Maya: $155
- Riviera Maya: Sunset Cruise with Beach Dinner and Open Bar: $157
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.Playa del Carmen $17Guayaquil $21
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Romantic tour in Akumal: $115
- Tulum Ruins, Turtle Sightseeing & Underground Cenote from Tulum: $140
- VIP Cenote Scuba Tour, Certified Divers Only: $230
- 3 in 1 Private Tour Tulum Cenote and Snorkeling in the reef: $210
- 3D Museum of Wonders Admission Ticket: $42
- 5X1: Tulum and Coba Ruins, Cenote & Mayan Village Full Day Tour : $114
- ATV Adventure with Ziplines Cenote from Playa del Carmen: $75
- ATV Extreme and Snorkel Adventure from the Riviera Maya: $139
- ATV Ride and Secret Caves Tour from Playa del Carmen: $80
- ATV Shared & Ziplines Adventure in Tulum Jungle from Riviera Maya: $133
- ATV Shared, Cavern & Ziplines -Jungle Adventure from Riviera Maya: $158
- ATV Xtreme & Snorkel Experience: $138
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 dayPlaya del Carmen $21Guayaquil $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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Guayaquil, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Playa del Carmen is in North America 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 Playa del Carmen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Playa del Carmen Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Guayaquil?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen or Guayaquil?
Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen or Guayaquil in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Guayaquil. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.
Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Guayaquil in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in July than Guayaquil. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPlaya del Carmen 28°C (82°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Guayaquil in the Autumn?
Both Guayaquil and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Guayaquil. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F).
It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Guayaquil. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPlaya del Carmen 26°C (79°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Guayaquil in the Winter?
Both Guayaquil and Playa del Carmen during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.
In January, Playa del Carmen is generally cooler than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Guayaquil. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPlaya del Carmen 23°C (73°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Guayaquil in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Guayaquil. The spring months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Guayaquil in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPlaya del Carmen 27°C (81°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Playa del Carmen
| Playa del Carmen | Guayaquil | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 21 mm (0.8 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.