Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Luang Prabang?
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 Luang Prabang or Guayaquil?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Guayaquil, 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: Luang Prabang or Guayaquil?
Luang Prabang
Southeast Asia is a region full of mystical wonders and cultural charm, but nowhere is as charming as the city of Luang Prabang. As the former capital of Laos, Luang Prabang was reopened to tourism in 1989. With that move the city experienced an upswing in revenue and was able to restore and rebuild the beautiful colonial mansions to serve as guesthouses and hotels for the new swarm of tourists.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
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Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesGuayaquil Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $18Guayaquil $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $18, 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 Luang Prabang and Guayaquil in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.60Guayaquil $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Guayaquil
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang 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: Luang Prabang Hotel Prices and Guayaquil Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.07Guayaquil $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luang Prabang
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Luang Prabang are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$2.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luang Prabang
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $60
- 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $20
- From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Guayaquil?
Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Luang Prabang 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 dayLuang Prabang $9.25Guayaquil $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luang Prabang
For Luang Prabang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Luang Prabang Local Market and Morning Food Tour with Drinks: $39
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $44
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Luangprabang: Dinner with Lao Traditional Dance Performance: $45
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Cooking Class at the Former Royal Palace: $45
- Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Laos: Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Evening Bamboo weaving & Cooking classes join-in: $47
- Mekong Sunset Cruise & Lao Tasting Dinner: $49
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.66Guayaquil $21
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with Sunset Cruise: $196
- Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong Village Half-Day Tour: $30
- 6Days 5Nigths Luang Prabang city tour & Mekong River Cruise: $800
- Best of Luang Prabang Shared Group City Tour: $214
- Bike to Kuangsi Waterfall and Cruise the Mekong River Back - Luang Prabang 1 day: $170
- Classic Tour in Luang Prabang: $90
- Classic tour in Luang Prabang (Private): $243
- Day Pass - Premium Wellness Experience at The Namkhan: $90
- Dine and Cruise on Mekong River: $66
- Explore Pak Ou Caves by Kayak with Optional Sunset River Cruise: $196
- From Field to Table Half Day Rice Experience in Luang Prabang: $194
- From 8-Day Laos Tour with Accommodation: $1,241
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.78Guayaquil $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Guayaquil, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Luang Prabang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Luang Prabang 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 Luang Prabang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Luang Prabang 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 Luang Prabang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Luang Prabang Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luang Prabang or Guayaquil?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang 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 Luang Prabang 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 Luang Prabang or Guayaquil in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Guayaquil. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the summer. Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Guayaquil. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Luang Prabang is generally a little warmer than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Guayaquil in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Guayaquil. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.
Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in October than Guayaquil. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Luang Prabang is a little warmer than Guayaquil in the autumn. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Guayaquil in the Winter?
Both Guayaquil and Luang Prabang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang 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, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Luang Prabang is cooler than Guayaquil. Typically, the winter temperatures in Luang Prabang in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Guayaquil in the Spring?
Both Guayaquil and Luang Prabang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang 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 Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in April than Guayaquil. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Luang Prabang is generally around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Guayaquil | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.