Which place is cheaper, Denver or Quito?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Quito or Denver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Quito or Denver? 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: Quito or Denver?
Quito
Nestled between two mountain ranges lies the world's highest capital city, Quito, Ecuador. For history lovers, Quito is a very desirable destination as it's home to the Quito Historic Center – one of the largest and best-preserved historic centers in the Americas.
Even though Quito is full of people – in fact, it's the second most populous city in the country – very few of its inhabitants speak English. Luckily, however, the citizens of Quito tend to speak a slower and more clear Spanish than surrounding areas. This is the perfect place to practice what you read in your Intro to Spanish book.
Before visiting Quito, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, give yourself a few days to grow accustomed to the elevation. Staying 9,350 feet above sea level takes some getting used to. Second, don't be fooled into thinking that just because you're visiting a town on the equator that you'll need all your summer clothes. Because of the city's elevation, the area keeps a relatively cool climate year round.
Denver
The capital of Colorado, Denver is commonly referred to as "The Mile-High City" because it is at an elevation of 5,280 feet (1,600 meters) above sea level. It also sits where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, giving a beautiful backdrop for this metropolitan city. The city is the largest in the Rocky Mountains with a population of more than 600,000 and nearly 3 million in the metropolitan area. Denver is a cosmopolitan city with cowboy roots. It's cultural scene is thriving, and the outdoor recreation in the area is superb. Denver is a rapidly growing city but with change comes challenges. Urban sprawl is a problem and the city's infrastructure has reached its limits. Still, efforts are in place to maintain the character and personality that Denver is known for.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Quito Prices
Ecuador PricesDenver Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQuito $66Denver $272
The average daily cost (per person) in Quito is $66, while the average daily cost in Denver is $272. 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 Quito and Denver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQuito $22Denver $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQuito $44Denver $204
Compare Hotels in Quito and Denver
Looking for a hotel in Quito or Denver? 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: Quito Hotel Prices and Denver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Quito $6.99Denver $94
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quito
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Quito:
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Taxi from Bus Terminal to Hotel$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quito
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quito:
- Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
- Quito hotels to Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
- Transfer from or to UIO Airport to any Hotel in Quito: $25
- Quito Airport ↔ Quito Hotels Private Transfer Service: $27
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
- Custom Transfers Across Ecuador (quote required): $30
- Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
- Private Transfer from the Airport to the city: $32
- Transfers To and From the Airport in Quito Ecuador: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:
- Airport Transfer: Denver Airport - Downtown Denver: $160
- Arrival Private Transfer: Denver Airport DEN to Denver in Luxury Van: $142
- Avon/Vail Valley to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $137
- Breckenridge to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $137
- Denver Airport (DEN) to Aspen hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $137
- Denver Airport (DEN) to Keystone resort - Arrival Private Transfer: $137
- Denver Airport Private Hotel Transfer up to 5 passengers: $32
- Denver Airport to Vail Transfer Group in Sprinter Van 6-14: $1,200
- Denver International Airport Private Transfer Pick up: $130
- DEN Airport Private Transfer to/from Denver Downtown: $30
- Departure Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN by Business Car: $113
- Limo Service from Denver Metro to Denver Airport Transfers: $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Quito or Denver?
Prices for flights to both Denver and Quito 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 dayQuito $34Denver $85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.
- Ecuadorian Gastronomy Tasting and Cooking Class in Quito: $15
- 3 Hours Local Food Tour in Quito: $38
- Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- Quito Kitchens Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- From Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers: $60
- The Delicious Side of Quito Food Tour: $70
- Food Tour in quaint old town with tastings and lunch: $71
- 3-hour Andean Cooking Class in Quito with a Local Host: $75
- Street Food Tour with Private Transport: $79
- Homemade Local Food Tour in Guayaquil: $80
- Hidden Gems Food Tour with Cacao Tasting and Culture: $87
- Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
Typical Food Prices in Denver
Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:
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Sushi Dinner (for 2)$61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.
- Morning Downtown 16th St. Food Tour with Local Guide: $69
- Denver Downtown 16th Street Food Tour: $75
- RiNo Arts District Walking Food Tour: $79
- Denver RiNo Arts District Food Tour: $85
- Downtown Denver Food Tour: $85
- The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Show - Denver, CO: $89
- Denver Food Tour with Food Tastings in Historic Lower Downtown: $98
- Denver Food Tour with Tastings in Historic Lower Downtown: $110
- Taste of the City Food Tour by Bike: $125
- Downtown Dinner Food and Drink Tour: $135
- Food Tour of Golden by Ebike: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Quito $16Denver $47
Typical Entertainment Prices in Quito
Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to Guyasimine Museum for Two$8.00
Tours and Activities in Quito
Here are a few actual costs in Quito for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Quito Old Town Walking tour small groups Chocolate taste included: $5.00
- Quito Old Town tip based walking tour small groups Cacao Taste: $5.00
- Old Town Basilica of National Vow Towers/ Exclusive Night tour!: $5.00
- Quito Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h10 and 19 audio reviews: $6.75
- Night Tour in Quito with free time at Old Town: $15
- 2.5-Hour City Bus Tour: $15
- Discover the heart of the Historic Center - Walking tour: $25
- Instagram walking tour in Quito's Historic Center: $26
- Quito's Cultural Tour & Indigenous Perspectives of Old Town: $27
- Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting: $29
- Old Town Walking Tour with Basilica Church Visit: $30
- Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $30
Tours and Activities in Denver
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:
- Denver Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.42
- Denver Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
- Self Guided Podcast Tour Denvers Civic Center: $5.48
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour The Resurrection of LoDo: $5.48
- Denver Audio Guided Walking Tour 2 hours and 20 audio reviews: $6.75
- Self Guided Podcast Tour of Denver LoDo Architecture: $6.85
- Gold Beer and the Rockies: Audio Walking Tour of Golden's Past: $7.99
- Denver's Heart A Self Guided Tour of the State Capitol and Beyond: $8.99
- Winding Pathways of Denver's City Park A Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
- Denver’s Wild Side: Self-Guided Audio Tour of its Notorious Past: $9.99
- Denver's Booms and Busts: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Downtown Denver to Capitol Hill: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQuito $17Denver $5.31
Typical Alcohol Prices in Quito
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:
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Beers for Two$9.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Denver
Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- California Vs. Colorado Wine Tasting: $30
- Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Denver Haunted Pub Crawl Spirits and Stories in LoDo: $35
- Denver Street Art, Murals & Graffiti Tour + Brewery Visit: $35
- Denver Street Art & Murals Tour + Brewery Visit/Beer Tasting: $39
- Downtown Denver Pub Crawl - Food & Drinks Included!: $50
- Neighborhood Bar Crawl in RiNo Arts District (Denver): $50
- Wild West Pub Crawl: $61
- DIY Candle Making Class at a Local Brewery: $75
- Denver Pedicab Brewery Tour: $130
- E-Bike & Brews: Denver's Platte River & Brewery E-Bike Tour: $135
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quito and Denver, we can see that Denver is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Quito is in South America and Denver 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 Quito would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quito 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 Denver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denver than you might in Quito.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Quito Expensive? and Is Denver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Quito or Denver?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Denver. When comparing the sizes of Quito and Denver, 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.
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.