Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or Guayaquil?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Guayaquil can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tulum or Guayaquil?
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, 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 dayTulum $122Guayaquil $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, 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 Tulum and Guayaquil in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Guayaquil $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Guayaquil
Looking for a hotel in Tulum 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: Tulum Hotel Prices and Guayaquil Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Guayaquil $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Xcaret to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Transfer from Tulum airport to Bacalar: $233
- Horseback Riding in the Jungle w/ Transfers and Lunch: $100
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $82
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $182
- Tulum to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $70
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $254
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
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 Tulum or Guayaquil?
Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Tulum 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 dayTulum $34Guayaquil $29
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
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.Tulum $32Guayaquil $21
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Private Tour - The best Cenotes in Yucatan - Suytun & Oxman: $195
- Romantic tour in Tulum: $169
- 4-Hour Cenotes Tour with Hotel Pickup in Riviera Maya: $109
- 5 Hours Mayan Snorkeling Experience in Tulum: $90
- 5x1 Deluxe Tour Tulum, Coba, Cenote Transportation from Tulum: $88
- 5x1: Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Mayan Village Full Day Tour: $99
- ATV Cenote and Zipline Adventure from Tulum: $119
- ATV Extreme Adventure Single with Ziplines and Cenote Swim: $137
- ATV Jungle Adventure with Ziplines, Cenote & Tulum Pickup: $75
- ATV Tour with Ziplines and Cenote Swim Experience in Quintana Roo: $59
- Adventure Tulum: $105
- Adventure in the Mayan Jungle with ATV and Zip Line in Tulum: $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 dayTulum $25Guayaquil $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
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 Tulum and Guayaquil, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Guayaquil much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North 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 Tulum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tulum 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 Tulum Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Guayaquil?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 230 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum 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 Tulum or Guayaquil?
Tulum 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 Tulum or Guayaquil in the Summer?
Both Guayaquil and Tulum during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.
In July, Tulum is generally a little warmer than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 28°C (83°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in July than Guayaquil. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTulum 28°C (83°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Guayaquil in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Guayaquil. The autumn months attract visitors to Tulum because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Tulum is a little warmer than Guayaquil in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tulum usually receives more rain than Guayaquil. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Guayaquil in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Guayaquil. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.
In the winter, Tulum is cooler than Guayaquil. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tulum in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. Tulum usually gets less rain in January than Guayaquil. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTulum 23°C (74°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Guayaquil in the Spring?
Both Guayaquil and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. In April, Tulum usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Tulum
| Tulum | Guayaquil | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.