Which place is cheaper, Lima or Guayaquil?
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 Guayaquil or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guayaquil or Lima, 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: Guayaquil or Lima?
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.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Guayaquil Prices
Ecuador PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuayaquil $116Lima $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Guayaquil is $116, while the average daily cost in Lima 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 Guayaquil and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuayaquil $32Lima $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuayaquil $64Lima $104
Compare Hotels in Guayaquil and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Guayaquil or Lima? 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: Guayaquil Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guayaquil $15Lima $6.06
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Short Taxi Ride$4.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lima APT-HTL (LIM) : $34
- Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $16
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- Transfer To Lima Airport: $20
- Tour Magic Water Park in Lima with Small Group Transfer: $38
- Round Trip Transfer from and to the Airport in Miraflores/Barranco/Sani : $33
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.95
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.95
- Private Transfers from/to Lima Airport (Price per Vehicle): $29
- Private Transfer to Lima Airport (LIM): $13
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $201
- Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Guayaquil or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Guayaquil 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 dayGuayaquil $50Lima $32
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.59
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Ice cream$3.73
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Coffee$3.15
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Donut$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $32
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $40
- Lima Food Tour - Prepare your Anticuchos and Pisco Sour : $48
- #1 Reviewed Lima Cooking Class: $49
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $55
- Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
- Peru’s Most Beloved Recipes Cooking Class: $58
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Lima Night: Cooking Experience with locals: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting: $65
- Vegan Peruvian Food Cooking Class | Ceviche + Pisco Sour: $69
- 4 iconic restaurants of Lima / 3-hour guided food tour: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guayaquil $21Lima $9.15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$17
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Movie Tickets$2.44
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Tour From Lima (Private Group): $190
- Cycling Tour Miraflores - Barranco - Chorrillos: $30
- Lima bike and 5 Step Food Tasting Experience: $92
- Private Classic City Tour Experience of Lima: $65
- Private Stopover Tour of Lima from the Airport: $150
- Sunset in Huacachina and Tacama: Private Tour from Lima: $220
- #1 Full Day Tour From Paracas and Huacachina Oasis: $59
- 1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards): $225
- 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $279
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $149
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $149
- 2 Days 1 Night Paracas Ica Tour from Lima: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuayaquil $17Lima $5.95
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.71
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Beer$4.30
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Cocktail$3.44
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $19
- Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $30
- Local Wine Tour : $55
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
- Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima : $138
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guayaquil and Lima, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guayaquil Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guayaquil or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Guayaquil. When comparing the sizes of Guayaquil and Lima, 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 Guayaquil or Lima?
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 Guayaquil or Lima in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Guayaquil as well as Lima. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in July than Lima. Guayaquil gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Guayaquil is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guayaquil in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Lima averages at about 18°C (64°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Lima in the Autumn?
Both Lima and Guayaquil are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Guayaquil usually receives more rain than Lima. Guayaquil gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Guayaquil is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 23°C (73°F), and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and Guayaquil during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in January than Lima. Guayaquil gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Guayaquil is a little warmer than Lima in the winter. The daily temperature in Guayaquil averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Lima in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Guayaquil and Lima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Guayaquil usually receives more rain than Lima. Guayaquil gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Guayaquil is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guayaquil in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Lima averages at about 22°C (72°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Guayaquil
| Guayaquil | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.