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

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Guayaquil?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng 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: Vang Vieng or Guayaquil?

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.

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 Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, 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 Vang Vieng and Guayaquil, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vang Vieng is in Asia 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 Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng.

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

Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Guayaquil?

Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng or Guayaquil?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Guayaquil in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Guayaquil. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as Guayaquil in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Guayaquil in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Guayaquil. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.

Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Guayaquil. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Guayaquil in the Winter?

Both Guayaquil and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng 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 January, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In January, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Guayaquil in the Spring?

Both Guayaquil and Vang Vieng during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Guayaquil. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Vang Vieng is cooler than Guayaquil in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Vang Vieng