Should you visit Quito or Guayaquil?
Should I visit Quito or Guayaquil? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
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. Guayaquils 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.
Which city is cheaper, Guayaquil or Quito?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Quito is $41, while the average daily cost in Guayaquil is $76. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Quito and Guayaquil in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $18. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Quito the cost is $36 on average.
The prices for places to stay in Guayaquil can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $25, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $50.
Food
In Quito travelers spend around $16 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
In Guayaquil travelers spend around $23 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Quito $16
Guayaquil $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.
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Quito Like a Local Cooking Class:
$75
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Ecuadorian Cooking Classes Rooftop (English):
$78
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Quito Best Markets and Local Food Tour:
$81
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Quito Top Ecuadorian Food Tour and Canelazo at “La Ronda”:
$87
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Quito Cooking Class:
$89
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Jacchigua Show Including Dinner + Transfer:
$90
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Ecuadorian Cooking Class in Quito + Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting:
$102
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Quito Culinary Tour and Cooking Class:
$105
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Gourmet Cooking Class in Historic Quito + Market Tour with Chef Pancho:
$120
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Cooking Class at the Andes & Roses (PRIVATE DAY TOUR):
$149
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Homemade Local Food Tour in Guayaquil:
$95
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Cooking Class with Market Visit!:
$103
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Half Day :Eco Cooking Class and culinary Experience (Departure from Guayaquil):
$135
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Quito is $5.59 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Guayaquil's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $12 per person, per day on transportation in Guayaquil.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Quito
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Quito:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quito
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quito:
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transfer airport to hotel in Quito or from Quito to airport:
$117
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Transfers Friends Airport Quito:
$38
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Transfers Airport - Hotel / Hotel - Airport:
$40
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Transfer to Quito Airport with Hotel Pick-up:
$19
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Transfer in private vehicle from Quito City to Mariscal Sucre Airport (UIO):
$25
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Transfer in out transportation between cities:
$35
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Transfer in or transfer out to Quito airport:
$54
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Transfer in Quito - Airport Arrival and Departure pick-up:
$37
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Transfer in Private Vehicle from Mariscal Sucre Airport (UIO) to Quito City:
$25
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Transfer in Private Minivan from Quito City to Mariscal Sucre Airport (UIO):
$37
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Transfer in Private Minivan from Mariscal Sucre Airport (UIO) to Quito City:
$37
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Transfer Mariscal Sucre International Airport & Hotel:
$8.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil
Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Arrival Private Transfer: Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil City by Minivan:
$74
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Departure Private Transfer: Guayaquil City to Guayaquil Airport GYE by Minivan:
$74
-
Golf at Lacosta Country Club in Guayaquil with Transfers:
$175
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Guayaquil Airport Private Transfer Service:
$80
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Guayaquil Arrival Transfer:
$15
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Guayaquil Departure Transfer:
$15
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Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels:
$13
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Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels:
$14
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Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels:
$14
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Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport:
$14
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Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport:
$14
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Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport:
$13
Is it cheaper to fly into Quito or Guayaquil?
Prices for flights to both Guayaquil 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.
Entertainment
Quito's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $13 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Guayaquil can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $17 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Typical Entertainment prices in Quito
Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Quito
Here are a few actual costs in Quito for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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10 days True Ecuador Experience:
$2,300
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12 Day Galapagos Snorkeling Tour:
$3,211
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15-Day Ecuador and Galapagos Highlights Tour from Quito:
$7,780
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15-day Adventure: Experiencing the Andes and Amazon of Ecuador:
$2,103
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16-Day Ecuador Adventure: Andes, Amazon & Galapagos:
$4,513
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1914 Original Trolley City Tour of Quito:
$15
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2 Day Private Tour to Mindo Cloud Forest from Quito:
$295
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2 Day Private Tour to Otavalo Market & surroundings from Quito:
$258
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2 Full Days Exploring The Ecuadorian Amazon | Tour Start In Quito:
$267
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2-Day Avenue of the Volcanoes and BaƱos Tour from Quito -"Small Group":
$417
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2-Day BaƱos Full Adrenaline Tour from Quito:
$581
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2-Day Private Sightseeing Tour Cotopaxi and Quilotoa:
$328
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Walking Tour in the Artisan Market of Guayaquil:
$9.99
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Shared Walking Tour in Guayaquil City:
$20
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Guayaquil - City tour:
$20
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City Tour Guayaquil:
$20
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Shared Walking Tour in Guayaquil City:
$20
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Private Guayaquil City Tour:
$27
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Guayaquil City Tour:
$30
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3-Hour City Tour:
$40
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Historical Park tour - Guayaquil:
$40
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Tour to the Zoo El Pantanal in Guayaquil:
$40
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Guayaquil Museum Tour:
$43
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Guayaquil City Tour Including the Light House of Cerro Santa Ana:
$49
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Quito may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $14 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typically, people visiting Guayaquil spend on average $14 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typical Alcohol prices in Quito
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:
Sample the Local Flavors in Guayaquil
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guayaquil:
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Process and Wine Tasting in Cellar Two Hemispheres - Puerto El Morro:
$294
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quito and Guayaquil, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 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 Quito.
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