Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or San Ignacio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Ignacio or Guayaquil?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Ignacio 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: San Ignacio or Guayaquil?
San Ignacio
So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.
You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.
This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!
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 Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, 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 daySan Ignacio $72Guayaquil $95
The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $72, 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 San Ignacio and Guayaquil in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Ignacio $19Guayaquil $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Ignacio $38Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in San Ignacio and Guayaquil
Looking for a hotel in San Ignacio 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: San Ignacio Hotel Prices and Guayaquil Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Ignacio $3.11Guayaquil $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:
- San Ignacio Hotel to Belize City Transfer: $20
- From Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala: $20
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 San Ignacio or Guayaquil?
Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and San Ignacio 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 daySan Ignacio $21Guayaquil $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.
- Xunantunich & Food Tour with local chocolate experience: $150
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.San Ignacio $100Guayaquil $21
Tours and Activities in San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Excursions in Cayo with Waterfalls Experience: $174
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour and Picnic: $125
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour from San Ignacio : $125
- Actun Tunichil Muknal with Local Tour guide & Belizean Lunch: $120
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $90
- Caracol Maya Ruins Tour Including Rio On Pools, Rio Frio Cave and a Picnic Lunch: $125
- Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $80
- Cave Tubing Adventure at Nohoch Che'en and Jaguar Paw : $115
- Cave Tubing and Zip line Adventure from San Ignacio: $144
- Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
- Deluxe Cave Tubing combo Adventure: $125
- Farm Ride plus Xunantunich tour: $90
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 daySan Ignacio $17Guayaquil $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 San Ignacio and Guayaquil, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is San Ignacio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Ignacio is in Central 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 San Ignacio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Ignacio Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Ignacio or Guayaquil?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of San Ignacio. When comparing the sizes of San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio or Guayaquil?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit San Ignacio or Guayaquil in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to San Ignacio as well as Guayaquil. San Ignacio attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. San Ignacio receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Ignacio usually gets more rain in July than Guayaquil. San Ignacio gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, San Ignacio is a little warmer than Guayaquil. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Ignacio in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Ignacio 28°C (82°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Guayaquil in the Autumn?
Both Guayaquil and San Ignacio are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Ignacio throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in San Ignacio. In October, San Ignacio usually receives more rain than Guayaquil. San Ignacio gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, San Ignacio is generally a little warmer than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in San Ignacio average around 26°C (80°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Ignacio 26°C (80°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Guayaquil in the Winter?
Both Guayaquil and San Ignacio during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Ignacio because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.
Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. San Ignacio usually gets less rain in January than Guayaquil. San Ignacio gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
San Ignacio is cooler than Guayaquil in the winter. The daily temperature in San Ignacio averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Ignacio 24°C (74°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Guayaquil in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Ignacio and Guayaquil. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Ignacio year-round. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, San Ignacio usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. San Ignacio gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, San Ignacio is around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Ignacio in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Ignacio 27°C (80°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Guayaquil and San Ignacio
| San Ignacio | Guayaquil | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.