A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Quito vs. Miami for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Quito or Miami?

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

Should I visit Quito or Miami? 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 Miami?

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.

Miami

Miami is a popular tourist destination and a modern city in South Florida. It has beautiful white beaches, crystal blue waters, cosmopolitan neighborhoods, impressive shopping, and excellent dining opportunities. It is also a gateway to the Florida Keys, which is another popular destination in South Florida.

Miami is the second most populated city in Florida and the metropolitan area is the most populated in the state with more than 5.4 million people. It's also the 7th largest metro area in the country. The city sits between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Everglades to the west. It covers 110 miles north to south but is a narrow 20 miles east to west.

Miami sits at a low latitude, giving it a subtropical savannah climate. There are two seasons; the warm and dry season between November and April and the hot and wet season between May and October. The coldest months are between December and March when highs are in the upper 70 or low 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The summer months have highs in the upper 80s or 90s and lows in the mid 70s with high humidity.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Miami or Quito?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Quito is $66, while the average daily cost in Miami is $258. 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 Miami in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Quito $22
    Miami $154
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Quito $44
    Miami $308
Compare Hotels in Quito and Miami

Looking for a hotel in Quito or Miami? 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 Quito


Hotels in Miami


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 Miami Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Quito $6.99
    Miami $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quito

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Quito:


  • Taxi from Bus Terminal to Hotel
    $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quito

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quito:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Minivan: $137
  • Arrival Transfer from Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Sedan or SUV: $105
  • Custom Transfers Across Ecuador (quote required): $30
  • From Mindo Cloud Forest Day Trip with Transfer: $129
  • From Quilotoa Lake Private Tour with Transfer & Lunch: $166
  • Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $41
  • Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
  • Private Transfer In from International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito: $65
  • Private Transfer Quito: $40
  • Private Transfer Quito to Mindo – SUV or Van (1–6): $88
  • Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
  • Quito Airport ↔ Quito Hotels Private Transfer Service: $27

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Miami

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


  • Car Rental for a Day
    $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Miami

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Miami:

  • Delray Beach to Miami Airport (MIA) - Departure Private Transfer: $110
  • Everglades Airboat Adventure with Roundtrip Bayside Transfer: $70
  • Hotel's To Port & Airport Transfer: $95
  • Luxury Private Transfer in Miami and Miami Fort Lauderdale: $130
  • Luxury Transfer From Port of Miami to Miami and Fort Lauderdale: $138
  • Luxury Transfers in Miami and Beyond: $175
  • MIA: Transfer to Miami Beach, Aventura, Coral Gables: $150
  • Miami & Fort Lauderdale - Port & Airport Transfer Service: $200
  • Miami & Fort Lauderdale Private Airport Transfer (To/From Hotel): $42
  • Miami & Ft. Lauderdale Airport Transfer & Transportation Service: $140
  • Miami Airport Private Hotel Transfer up to 5 passengers: $52
  • Miami Airport Private Transfer To Miami Beach: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Quito or Miami?

Prices for flights to both Miami 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Quito $34
    Miami $72

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 Miami

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


  • Lunch with Drinks (for 2)
    $45
  • David's Cafe Lunch (for 1)
    $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Miami

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Miami.

  • Art Deco Food Tour with Private Cigar & Rum Upgrade: $35
  • 2-Hour Express Little Havana & Cuban Culture Food Tour in Miami: $43
  • Historical Walking Food Tour in Calle 8: $50
  • 2-Hour Little Havana Food Tour with 6+ Tastings: $53
  • South Beach Guided Food Tour with Authentic Tastings: $60
  • South Beach Miami Authentic Food Tour with Local Food Tastings: $61
  • Miami : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $66
  • Street Food Tour in Miami with Local Guide: $66
  • A Taste of South Beach Food Tour: $75
  • Miami Mosaic Signature Food Tour: $75
  • South Beach Food Tour: $75
  • Little Havana 3-Hour Food Tour: $83

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Quito $16
    Miami $31
Typical Entertainment Prices in Quito

Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • 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 Miami

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

  • Jetski & ATV Adventure Combo in Miami: $2.00
  • Podcast Tour Wall Street South: Capital, Canopy, and Coral: $5.48
  • Podcast Tour: Rhythm and Empire - Miamis Latin Pop Revolution: $5.48
  • Podcast Tour Miami Beach: Tropical Deco and Neon Dreams: $5.48
  • Bus & Boat Ultimate Sightseeing Combo Tour: $6.16
  • Private and Exclusive Jet Car Experience: $9.24
  • Luxury Jet Car Experience on Biscayne Bay: $9.24
  • Wynwood Walls Skip-the-Line Ticket (Direct Entry): $13
  • Skyline Sightseeing Cruise Millionaire Homes & River: $13
  • Miami Marlins Baseball Game Ticket at LoanDepot Park: $13
  • Biscayne National Park Self Guided Audio Tour: $13
  • Miami Sunset and Skyline Cruise: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Quito $17
    Miami $22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Quito

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:


  • Beers for Two
    $9.00

Typical Alcohol Prices in Miami

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Miami are as follows:


  • Evening at a Bar
    $32

Sample the Local Flavors in Miami

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Miami:

  • #1 Miami Pub Crawl + Clubbing Experience: $21
  • Wynwood Pub Crawl with Drinks & VIP Club Entry: $27
  • Miami Haunts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
  • Miami Bar Crawl: $29
  • Guided Bar Crawl with Drinks Discounts and Club Entry: $29
  • Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Miami Pub Crawl + Clubbing Experience: $33
  • House of Desire Classic Glamour Burlesque Cabaret: $40
  • BigBeach Bar Crawl - South Beach Bar Hop and Club Experience: $40
  • Pedal Pub Wynwood Art District Party Bike Pub Crawl: $48
  • Small-Group Brewery Golf Cart Tour of Wynwood with a Local Guide: $59
  • Wynwood Graffiti Brewery Golf Cart Tour: $63


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quito and Miami, we can see that Miami 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 Miami 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 Miami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Miami 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 Miami Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Quito or Miami?

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