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

Should you visit Surfers Paradise or Guayaquil?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Surfers Paradise 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: Surfers Paradise or Guayaquil?

Surfers Paradise

A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.

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 Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Surfers Paradise?

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

  • Surfers Paradise Prices
    Australia Prices
    Guayaquil Prices
    Ecuador Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Surfers Paradise $124
    Guayaquil $116

The average daily cost (per person) in Surfers Paradise is $124, while the average daily cost in Guayaquil is $116. 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 Surfers Paradise and Guayaquil in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Surfers Paradise $67
    Guayaquil $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Surfers Paradise $134
    Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Surfers Paradise and Guayaquil

Looking for a hotel in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise


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.
    Surfers Paradise $11
    Guayaquil $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise

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

  • Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $15

Is it cheaper to fly into Surfers Paradise or Guayaquil?

Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Surfers Paradise 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
    Surfers Paradise $45
    Guayaquil $50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise

For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $85

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Surfers Paradise $24
    Guayaquil $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Surf Lesson
    $79

Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise

For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Catch a Crab Tour with Optional Seafood Lunch: $63
  • Evening Rainforest & Glow Worm Tour from Gold Coast: $80
  • Glow Worms + Day/Night Rainforest & Waterfalls Experience: $133
  • Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise 1 Day Pass: $30
  • Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $37
  • Gold Coast: 360-Degree High-Speed Jet Boat Adventure: $39
  • Gold Coast: Springbrook 7 Waterfalls and Natural Bridge Day Tour: $120
  • HOTA: Gold Coast Home of the Arts Cruise & Dine Experience Pass: $27
  • Kangaroos & Koalas in the Wild - Private Nature Experience: $227
  • Kangaroos and Mountain Views Day Tour from Gold Coast: $80
  • Lamington National Park, O'Reilly's & Vineyard Tour: $86
  • Natural Bridge Glow Worm Night Tour from Gold Coast: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Surfers Paradise $11
    Guayaquil $17


When comparing the travel costs between Surfers Paradise and Guayaquil, we can see that Surfers Paradise is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Surfers Paradise is in Pacific and Guayaquil is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Surfers Paradise or Guayaquil?

Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise or Guayaquil?

Surfers Paradise has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Guayaquil experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Guayaquil in the Summer?

Both Guayaquil and Surfers Paradise are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Surfers Paradise is around the same temperature as Guayaquil in the summer. The daily temperature in Surfers Paradise averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. In January, Surfers Paradise usually receives more rain than Guayaquilin July. Surfers Paradise gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F) 
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Guayaquil in the Autumn?

Both Guayaquil and Surfers Paradise during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.

In the autumn, Surfers Paradise is around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Surfers Paradise in April average around 22°C (71°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. Surfers Paradise usually gets more rain in April than Guayaquilin October. Surfers Paradise gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F) 
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Guayaquil in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Surfers Paradise and Guayaquil. Many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Surfers Paradise is generally much colder than Guayaquilin January. Daily temperatures in Surfers Paradise average around 15°C (59°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Surfers Paradise usually receives less rain than Guayaquilin January. Surfers Paradise gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F) 
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Guayaquil in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Surfers Paradise as well as Guayaquil. Many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the spring for the beaches. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.

Surfers Paradise is cooler than Guayaquil in the spring. The daily temperature in Surfers Paradise averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the spring. Surfers Paradise usually gets less rain in October than Guayaquilin April. Surfers Paradise gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F) 
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise Guayaquil
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 230 mm (9.1 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Apr 22°C (71°F) 101 mm (4 in) 28°C (82°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 16°C (61°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 15°C (59°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Oct 21°C (69°F) 103 mm (4 in) 23°C (73°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Dec 24°C (76°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)