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

Should you visit Veracruz or Guayaquil?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Veracruz and Guayaquil can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Veracruz or Guayaquil?

Veracruz

Veracruz is the name of both a state and city in the country of Mexico. Locals often call the city "Puerto" (port) in order to differentiate the city from the state. The general area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses ruins, old colonial cities, lush green mountains, and delicious seafood.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, 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 Veracruz and Guayaquil, we can see that Veracruz is more expensive. And not only is Guayaquil much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Veracruz 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 Veracruz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Veracruz 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 Veracruz Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Veracruz or Guayaquil?

Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Veracruz. When comparing the sizes of Veracruz 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 Veracruz or Guayaquil?

Veracruz 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 Veracruz or Guayaquil in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Veracruz and Guayaquil. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Veracruz is a little warmer than Guayaquil. Typically, the summer temperatures in Veracruz in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the summer. Veracruz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Veracruz usually receives more rain than Guayaquil. Veracruz gets 410 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Veracruz or Guayaquil in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Veracruz as well as Guayaquil. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.

In October, Veracruz is generally a little warmer than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Veracruz average around 26°C (79°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Veracruz receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Veracruz usually gets more rain in October than Guayaquil. Veracruz gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Veracruz or Guayaquil in the Winter?

Both Guayaquil and Veracruz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Veracruz is cooler than Guayaquil in the winter. The daily temperature in Veracruz averages around 21°C (71°F) in January, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. In January, Veracruz usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Veracruz or Guayaquil in the Spring?

Both Guayaquil and Veracruz during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.

In the spring, Veracruz is around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Typically, the spring temperatures in Veracruz in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Veracruz usually gets less rain in April than Guayaquil. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Veracruz