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

Should you visit Utrecht or Guayaquil?

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

Should I visit Utrecht or Guayaquil? 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: Utrecht or Guayaquil?

Utrecht

Utrecht is both a province and a city in the Netherlands. The city is a unique university city with a lively atmosphere. Imagine Amsterdam but smaller, and with fewer tourists. Utrecht has the same underlying historical/magical feel as Amsterdam, but is full of locals rather than crowds of tourists. It has a population of about 300,000 making it the fourth largest city in the Netherlands.

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 Netherlands, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Netherlands, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Utrecht and Guayaquil, we can see that Utrecht is more expensive. And not only is Guayaquil much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Utrecht is in Europe 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 Utrecht would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Utrecht 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 Utrecht Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Utrecht or Guayaquil?

Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Utrecht. When comparing the sizes of Utrecht 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 Utrecht or Guayaquil?

Utrecht 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 Utrecht or Guayaquil in the Summer?

Both Guayaquil and Utrecht during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Utrecht for the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.

In July, Utrecht is generally cooler than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Utrecht average around 17°C (62°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Utrecht usually gets less rain in July than Guayaquil. Utrecht gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Utrecht or Guayaquil in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Utrecht and Guayaquil. Many visitors come to Utrecht in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Utrecht is much colder than Guayaquil in the autumn. The daily temperature in Utrecht averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In October, Utrecht usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Utrecht gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Utrecht or Guayaquil in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Utrecht as well as Guayaquil. Most visitors come to Utrecht for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.

Utrecht can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Utrecht is much colder than Guayaquil. Typically, the winter temperatures in Utrecht in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F).

It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. Utrecht usually gets less rain in January than Guayaquil. Utrecht gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Utrecht or Guayaquil in the Spring?

Both Guayaquil and Utrecht are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Utrecht because of the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Utrecht is generally much colder than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Utrecht average around 8°C (46°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. In April, Utrecht usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Utrecht gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Utrecht