A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Pedro vs. Guayaquil for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Pedro or Guayaquil?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Pedro 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 Pedro or Guayaquil?

San Pedro

San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or San Pedro?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro is $135, 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 Pedro and Guayaquil in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Pedro $66
    Guayaquil $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Pedro $132
    Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in San Pedro and Guayaquil

Looking for a hotel in San Pedro 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.

Hotels in San Pedro


Hotels in Guayaquil


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: Guayaquil Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Pedro $34
    Guayaquil $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Pedro:

  • Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure (Boat Transfer): $205

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil

Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $12
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport.: $17
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $17
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $18
  • Private Airport Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $20
  • Private Transfer In From Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $25
  • Private Transfers to and from the Airport in Guayaquil: $25
  • Private Transfer Out From Hotel to Guayaquil Airport: $25
  • Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil city -Arrival Private Transfer: $30
  • Transfer from Guayaquil airport to the hotel and vice versa: $30
  • Shared transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $47
  • Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $47

Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro or Guayaquil?

Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and San Pedro 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
    San Pedro $40
    Guayaquil $29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro

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

  • Belizean Sunset and Cultural Dinner Cruise: $120

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Pedro $33
    Guayaquil $21

Tours and Activities in San Pedro

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Pedro are as follows:

  • The best of San Pedro Town walking tour: $202
  • 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $54
  • 5-Hour Guided Jetboat Tour to Secret Beach, San Pedro, Belize.: $200
  • All-Inclusive Full-Day Hol Chan Snorkeling Tour : $120
  • Altun Ha Cave Tubing and Zip line Tours from San Pedro Ambergris Caye: $250
  • Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $75
  • Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $93
  • Cave Tubing and Zip line Adventure from San pedro Ambergris caye: $250
  • Double Activity Limo Tour: Xunantunich Ruins & Cave Tubing Adventure: $220
  • Exclusive All-in-1 Full Day Shared Guided Tour: $139
  • Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour: $95
  • Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $89

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Pedro $16
    Guayaquil $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 Pedro and Guayaquil, we can see that San Pedro is more expensive. And not only is Guayaquil much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Pedro 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 Guayaquil would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guayaquil 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 San Pedro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Pedro than you might in Guayaquil.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Pedro Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, San Pedro or Guayaquil?

Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 230 times larger than the population of San Pedro. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro 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 Pedro 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 Pedro or Guayaquil in the Summer?

Both Guayaquil and San Pedro during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Pedro 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 Pedro. San Pedro usually gets more rain in July than Guayaquil. San Pedro 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 Pedro is a little warmer than Guayaquil. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Pedro in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    San Pedro 28°C (82°F) 
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit San Pedro or Guayaquil in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Pedro and Guayaquil. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Pedro year-round. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

San Pedro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Pedro usually receives more rain than Guayaquil. San Pedro 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 Pedro is generally a little warmer than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in San Pedro average around 26°C (80°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    San Pedro 26°C (80°F) 
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit San Pedro or Guayaquil in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to San Pedro as well as Guayaquil. San Pedro 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 Pedro receives a lot of rain in the winter. San Pedro usually gets less rain in January than Guayaquil. San Pedro gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

San Pedro is cooler than Guayaquil in the winter. The daily temperature in San Pedro averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    San Pedro 24°C (74°F) 
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit San Pedro or Guayaquil in the Spring?

Both Guayaquil and San Pedro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Pedro throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. In April, San Pedro usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. San Pedro 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 Pedro is around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Pedro in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    San Pedro 27°C (80°F) 
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Guayaquil and San Pedro

San Pedro 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)