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

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Guayaquil?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya 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: Ayutthaya or Guayaquil?

Ayutthaya

Once the largest city in the world, Ayutthaya, is the example of an ancient capital within a modern city. Located in the central plains of Thailand, this spot is ideally located between China, India and the Malay Archipelago creating the perfect place for trade in Asia. Eighteenth century maps from Holland and France show golden palaces, large ceremony spots and trading vessels from all over the world. Suddenly, in 1767, Ayutthaya experienced a tragic fall from grace with a Burmese invasion burning much of the city to the ground.

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 Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand, 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 Ayutthaya and Guayaquil, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Ayutthaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ayutthaya 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 Ayutthaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ayutthaya 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 Ayutthaya.

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

Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Guayaquil?

Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya 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 Ayutthaya or Guayaquil?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Guayaquil in the Summer?

Both Guayaquil and Ayutthaya during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ayutthaya 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 Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually gets more rain in July than Guayaquil. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In July, Ayutthaya is generally a little warmer than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 29°C (84°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Guayaquil in the Autumn?

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

October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ayutthaya usually receives more rain than Guayaquil. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Ayutthaya is a little warmer than Guayaquil in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Guayaquil in the Winter?

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

It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in January than Guayaquil. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the winter, Ayutthaya is cooler than Guayaquil. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ayutthaya in January average around 25°C (78°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Guayaquil in the Spring?

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

The dry season in Ayutthaya is October to April. The rainy season in Ayutthaya is May to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. In April, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Ayutthaya can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Ayutthaya is generally a little warmer than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 31°C (88°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Ayutthaya