As of November 12, 2026, Ecuador is cheaper than Guatemala for travelers: a mid-range day costs about $71 in Ecuador against $72 in Guatemala, a gap of 1.3%. Over the past year Ecuador has moved more in the US-dollar traveler's favor (+1.6% after inflation, against +0.9%). Ecuador carries the lower US advisory (Level 2 against Level 3).
| Measure | Ecuador | Guatemala |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day | $71 | $72 |
| Lean day | $33 | $33 |
| Comfortable day | $163 | $166 |
| Real change, 12 months | +1.6% | +0.9% |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | 0.0% | +0.2% |
| Versus 5-year average | +7.0% | 0.0% |
| US advisory | Level 2 · Increased caution | Level 3 · Reconsider travel |
| Ease of travel | 3.5 · Workable | 3.2 · Workable |
| Index score | 66 | 55 |
| Best months | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr |
| Shoulder months | May, Oct, Nov | May, Oct |
The better figure in each row is in bold. Costs are modeled estimates per person, excluding international flights.
Andes, Amazon and the Galápagos in a country the size of Colorado.
The catchSecurity deteriorated sharply on the coast after 2023; several provinces carry higher advisories. The highlands are calmer.
Volcanoes, a highland lake and Maya ruins on a backpacker budget.
The catchViolent crime is the reason for the elevated advisory. Use tourist shuttles, not chicken buses, and do not travel after dark.
Source: Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026. How this is calculated.