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

Should you visit Turku or Guayaquil?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku 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: Turku or Guayaquil?

Turku

Turku, a city on the southwest coast of Finland, straddles the Aura River. Dating from the 13th century, it's known for Turku Castle, a medieval fortress with a history museum, perched at the river mouth. Restaurants line the cobbled riverside streets. On the eastern bank lies the Old Great Square, a former trade hub, surrounded by grand buildings. The nearby Turku Cathedral houses a royal tomb and a museum. The historic castle and cathedral point to the city's rich cultural history when it was the Finnish capital, and contemporary Turku is full of experimental art and vibrant festivals, thanks in part to its spirited university population (the country's second largest), who make Turku's nightlife young and fun. As the first city many visitors encounter arriving by ferry from Sweden and Aland, it's a splendid introduction to the Finnish mainland.

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 Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Turku and Guayaquil, we can see that Turku is more expensive. And not only is Guayaquil much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Turku is in Europe 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 Guayaquil would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guayaquil 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 Turku would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Turku than you might in Guayaquil.

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

Which is Bigger, Turku or Guayaquil?

Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Turku. When comparing the sizes of Turku 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 Turku or Guayaquil?

Turku 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 Turku or Guayaquil in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Guayaquil. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Turku is cooler than Guayaquil. Typically, the summer temperatures in Turku in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Turku usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Turku or Guayaquil in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Turku as well as Guayaquil. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.

In October, Turku is generally much colder than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 6°C (43°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Turku usually gets less rain in October than Guayaquil. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Turku or Guayaquil in the Winter?

Both Guayaquil and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Turku. Turku is much colder than Guayaquil in the winter. The daily temperature in Turku averages around -6°C (20°F) in January, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. In January, Turku usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Turku or Guayaquil in the Spring?

Both Guayaquil and Turku during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.

Turku can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Turku is much colder than Guayaquil. Typically, the spring temperatures in Turku in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Turku usually gets less rain in April than Guayaquil. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Turku