Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Guadalajara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Guadalajara or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guadalajara or Kailua-Kona, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Guadalajara or Kailua-Kona?
Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, as well as one of the country's largest cities. It is best known for tequila and mariachi music, which both originate in Jalisco, as well as a thriving historic center with colonial architecture and landmarks.
Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona, often simply called Kona, is a vibrant seaside town located on the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Known for its sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere, Kona offers travelers an appealing mix of natural beauty and Hawaiian culture. The town is famous for its historic waterfront, local coffee farms, and as the gateway to many of the island’s unique adventures. Despite its popularity, Kailua-Kona remains more relaxed and less crowded than some of Hawaii’s other tourist hubs. Beach lovers, water sports enthusiasts, history buffs, and foodies will all find plenty to enjoy here. With a mix of affordable accommodations, local eateries, and free or inexpensive attractions, it’s a great destination for budget travelers. The nearby volcanic landscapes, snorkeling spots, and lively marketplaces make it an excellent base for exploring the west side of the Big Island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Guadalajara Prices
Mexico PricesKailua-Kona Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuadalajara $138Kailua-Kona $274
The average daily cost (per person) in Guadalajara is $138, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona is $274. 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 Guadalajara and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuadalajara $38Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuadalajara $76Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Guadalajara and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Guadalajara or Kailua-Kona? 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: Guadalajara Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guadalajara $35Kailua-Kona $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guadalajara
Also for Guadalajara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer by car to or from Guadalajara Airport: $35
- Transfer from International Airport to Tequila Jalisco: $89
- Tequila to Guadalajara Airport (GDL) - Departure Private Transfer: $101
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
- Private Airport Transfer to Guadalajara Hotels Safe & Stress-Free: $159
- Guadalajara to Tequila - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $179
- Tequila to Guadalajara - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $179
- Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Tequila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $202
- Guadalajara Airport Private Transfer to Ajijic & Chapala: $289
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
Is it cheaper to fly into Guadalajara or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Guadalajara 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 dayGuadalajara $75Kailua-Kona $100
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guadalajara
For Guadalajara, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Street Food Tour and City Tour Guadalajara - Best Rated : $44
- Guadalajara Private Food Tour: $70
- Authentic Mexican Cooking & Tequila tasting experience-Casa Humo: $108
- Mexican Cooking Classes and Market Visit in Guadalajara: $195
- VIP Tequila Night Tour with Dinner and Tasting: $199
Typical Food Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Buffet Breakfast for Two$53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guadalajara $25Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Guadalajara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Guadalajara.
- Bar Tour of the Coolest Quarter of Guadalajara: $17
- Great Experience With A Tour Guide With Spark: $21
- Guadalajara City Center Walking Tour: $25
- Guadalajara Tour: $27
- 3 Hours Private Tour Guide in Guadalajara, you choose!: $36
- Walking Tour Historic Center Guadalajara: $39
- Lucha Libre Tour at the Arena Coliseo de Guadalajara as a local: $39
- Chapala Ajijic Area Tour from Guadalajara: $40
- Tequila Route Experience from Guadalajara: $40
- Classic Tequila Tour and CANTARITOS EL GÜERO: $41
- Guadalajara Private Walking Tour: $42
- History and Murals: Walking Tour Guadalajara: $44
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Diving with Manta Rays for Two$162
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Body Board Rental (1 Day)$12
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1 Day Kayak Rental$47
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2 Tank Morning Scuba Dive$115
Tours and Activities in Kailua-Kona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kailua-Kona are as follows:
- From Kona: Volcano & Waterfall Tour, Small Group: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuadalajara $16Kailua-Kona $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Guadalajara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guadalajara:
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Guadalajara Mexico: $25
- Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town: $65
- full day Tequila tour visiting artisanal distillery and downtown.: $95
- Guided Tour of Guachimontones and Tequila Distillery: $105
- Full-Day Tour to La Fortaleza Distillery and Cantaritos: $155
- Private Adventure Day Tour to Tequila and Cazcanes Distillery: $156
- Private Adventure to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila: $161
- Private One Day Adventure Tour in Tequila and La Fortaleza Distillery: $167
- Private Tour Cascahuin Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour one day in Guachimontones and La Fortaleza Distillery: $211
- Guachimontones and Tequila Distillery in One Day: $264
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guadalajara and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Guadalajara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Guadalajara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guadalajara 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 Kailua-Kona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kailua-Kona than you might in Guadalajara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guadalajara Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guadalajara or Kailua-Kona?
Guadalajara has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Guadalajara and Kailua-Kona, 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.
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.