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

Should you visit Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam and Guayaquil can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Guayaquil?

Dar es Salaam

Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.

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 Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, 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 Dar es Salaam and Guayaquil, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Guayaquil much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa 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 Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Guayaquil?

Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Guayaquil. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam or Guayaquil in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Guayaquil. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam 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, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In July, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (77°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Guayaquil in the Autumn?

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

Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in October than Guayaquil. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Guayaquil in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Guayaquil in the Winter?

Both Guayaquil and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam 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, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In the winter, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dar es Salaam in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Guayaquil in the Spring?

Both Guayaquil and Dar es Salaam during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in April than Guayaquil. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

In April, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 27°C (81°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Dar es Salaam