Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Veracruz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVeracruz $122Guayaquil $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Veracruz 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 Veracruz and Guayaquil in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVeracruz $54Guayaquil $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVeracruz $108Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Veracruz and Guayaquil
Looking for a hotel in Veracruz 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: Veracruz Hotel Prices and Guayaquil Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Veracruz $28Guayaquil $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Veracruz
Also for Veracruz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: $25
- Transfer from Veracruz Airport to Hotel in Veracruz Port: $32
- Shared Arrival Transfer: General Heriberto Jara International Airport to Veracruz Hotels: $23
- Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $28
- Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Arrival Private Transfer: $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil
Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer Guayaquil - Montañita: $250
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE): Transfer to Guayaquil hotels: $129
- Transfer Cuenca - Guayaquil (or Vice versa) With Visit To Cajas National Park: $128
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $98
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $89
- Guayaquil Airport Private Transfer Service: $80
- Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Guayaquil - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE) to Guayaquil hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $47
- Shared transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $47
- Transfer from Guayaquil airport to the hotel and vice versa: $30
- Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil city -Arrival Private Transfer: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Veracruz or Guayaquil?
Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Veracruz 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 dayVeracruz $50Guayaquil $29
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.Veracruz $15Guayaquil $21
Tours and Activities in Veracruz
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Veracruz.
- 1 day tour of Tlacotalpan and Alvarado from Veracruz: $102
- 3-hour tour to the San Juan de Ulúa Fortress: $25
- Adventure through the Chachalacas Beach and Dunes from Veracruz: $123
- Alvarado And Tlacotalpan Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $112
- Antigua and Zempoala Tour from Veracruz: $86
- Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark: Veracruz - Ticket: $27
- Catemaco And Los Tuxtlas Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $112
- City Tour en Veracruz y Acuario: $100
- Coffee Route, an adventure of aroma and flavor to Veracruz: $150
- From Veracruz or Boca del río: Coffee Tour in Coatepec: $96
- From Alvarado, Tlacotalpan and Agustín Lara Tour: $100
- From Catemaco, Nature, Waterfalls & Monkeys Tour: $100
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-hour Pacari Wine and Chocolate Tasting Experience: $20
- City Tour Guayaquil: $40
- City Tour around Guayaquil: $75
- Cocoa and Gastronomy Tour at Hacienda CacaoyMango: $155
- Dolphin Watching Experience in Puerto El Morro from Guayaquil: $165
- Exclusive private luxury cocoa experience: $187
- From Cloud Forest/Waterfalls Private Tour & Lunch: $159
- From Montañita: Paragliding Experience: $55
- Full Day Ayangue Tour with Snorkeling in The Pelado's Islote: $295
- Full Day Private Churute Mangroves Reserve and Cocoa Farm Tour: $255
- Full Day Zhagal Thermal Baths Tour from Guayaquil: $263
- Full day private tour Mangroves, dolphins and birds from guayaquil : $215
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVeracruz $17Guayaquil $17
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 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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVeracruz 27°C (81°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVeracruz 26°C (79°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVeracruz 21°C (71°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVeracruz 26°C (78°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Veracruz
| Veracruz | Guayaquil | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (71°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (71°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (74°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 410 mm (16.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 346 mm (13.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (76°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 27 mm (1.1 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.