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

Should you visit Guayaquil or Rotorua?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guayaquil or Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

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.

Rotorua

Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.

Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.

Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Guayaquil and Rotorua, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Guayaquil is in South America and Rotorua is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Guayaquil or Rotorua?

Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Guayaquil and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

Rotorua 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 Guayaquil or Rotorua in the Summer?

Both Rotorua and Guayaquil are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Guayaquil is much warmer than Rotorua in the summer. The daily temperature in Guayaquil averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. In July, Guayaquil usually receives more rain than Rotoruain January. Guayaquil gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Guayaquil or Rotorua in the Autumn?

Both Rotorua and Guayaquil during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Rotorua in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Guayaquil is a little warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Guayaquil in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Rotorua averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.

Guayaquil usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Guayaquil gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Guayaquil or Rotorua in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Guayaquil and Rotorua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Guayaquil is generally around the same temperature as Rotoruain July. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 28°C (82°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Guayaquil usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Guayaquil gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Guayaquil or Rotorua in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Guayaquil as well as Rotorua. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the natural beauty.

Guayaquil is a little warmer than Rotorua in the spring. The daily temperature in Guayaquil averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.

Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the spring. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. Guayaquil gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Guayaquil