Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Kota Kinabalu?
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 Kota Kinabalu or Guayaquil?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu 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: Kota Kinabalu or Guayaquil?
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu, originally Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah, which is on the northern part of the island of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu is located just between the western side of the island and Tambunan Rafflesia Forest Reserve. Most of Kota Kinabalu's historic buildings were destroyed by bombing during World War II, so the city had to be rebuilt. KK, as it's commonly called, is a compact, but booming town today, with its new shopping centers, seaside condominiums, and bustling marketplaces.
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 Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesGuayaquil Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Guayaquil $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Guayaquil is $116. 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 Kota Kinabalu and Guayaquil in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Guayaquil $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Guayaquil
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Guayaquil? 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: Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices and Guayaquil Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Guayaquil $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $30
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $53
- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Borneo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Guayaquil?
Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Kota Kinabalu 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 dayKota Kinabalu $30Guayaquil $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Beringgis Mangove Fireflies, Sunset Tour & Dinner: $33
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $45
- Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies: $55
- Kawa Mangrove Cruise & Fireflies with Dinner: $67
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Taste Of Borneo Cooking Class: $95
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $138
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $187
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Guayaquil $21
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies : $49
- Bongawan: River Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Day Trip to Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring Guided Tour: $70
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu White Water Rafting Tour + meal: $66
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $55
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
- Island Hopping Tour (2 Island) From Kota Kinabalu: $100
- Island Hopping Tour From Kota Kinabalu (2 island): $90
- Kinabalu National Park Tour: $135
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Guayaquil $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Guayaquil, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Guayaquil?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu or Guayaquil in the Summer?
Both Guayaquil and Kota Kinabalu during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in July than Guayaquil. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Guayaquil in the summer. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Guayaquil in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Guayaquil. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Guayaquil. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Guayaquil. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Guayaquil in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Guayaquil. Kota Kinabalu 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. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kota Kinabalu usually gets less rain in January than Guayaquil. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 26°C (79°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Guayaquil in the Spring?
Both Guayaquil and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu 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. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives around the same amount of rain as Guayaquil. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Guayaquil in the spring. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Guayaquil | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.