Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Asuncion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Asuncion or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion or Cuenca, 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: Asuncion or Cuenca?
Asuncion
Asuncion is a vastly underrated city. It is the capital but also the administrative economic and cultural center of Paraguay. It is located in the south central part of the country, near the border with Argentina and it is one of the oldest cities in South America, with people living here since almost 500 years. The city has a beautiful and simple center, with a few unique colonial and beaux arts buildings, international cuisine, shady plazas and friendly people. Its handful of historic buildings around the Plaza de los Heroes, Plaza Uruguaya and Manzana de la Ribera, two or three small museums, old bars and cafes, but also smart suburbs, ritzy shopping malls and fashionable nightclubs will keep you entertained for a day or two. It is a very charming city for travellers and apart from the sights, the city boasts a good tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants.
Cuenca
Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAsuncion $68Cuenca $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Asuncion is $68, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $42. 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 Asuncion and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAsuncion $22Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAsuncion $44Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Asuncion and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Asuncion or Cuenca? 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: Asuncion Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Asuncion $8.82Cuenca $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion
Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- RoundTrip Private Transfer Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $52
- RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $59
- Transfer in Private Car from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $21
- Transfer in private car from Asuncion City - Asuncion Airport (ASU): $20
- Transfer in private minivan Asuncion City - Silvio Pettirosi Airport (ASU): $29
- Transfer in private minivan from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
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Taxi Ride$2.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Cuenca: $47
- Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.: $104
Is it cheaper to fly into Asuncion or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Asuncion 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 dayAsuncion $17Cuenca $15
Typical Food Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:
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Lunch$10
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Snacks$5.00
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Empanada$1.50
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Hot Dog$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cuenca.
- Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
- Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Asuncion $16Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Asuncion
For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Asuncion: $34
- Walking Tour with a Local in Asuncion "The Mother of Cities": $35
- Asunción Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Asuncion Birding Tour: $70
- Golden Triangle Tour: $110
- Crystal Fall - day tour in a reduced group: $120
- Birding and Nature Chaco Tour: $140
- Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour from Asunción: $160
- Half-Day Yparacai Lake Tour from Asuncion with Pick Up: $185
- Full day Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour: $207
- Day tour “Circuito San Bernardino”: $214
- Day tour “Circuito Sapucai”: $221
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $48
- Azuay: San Bartolomé, Gualaceo, and Chordeleg Artisanal Tour: $63
- Biking Cuenca City Tour: $50
- Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
- Birdwatching Tour in Giron and Yunguilla Jocotoco Reserve from Cuenca: $150
- Birdwatching Tour, Via Gualaceo to the Eastern slope from Cuenca: $130
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $49
- Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $49
- Cajas National Park and Cuenca City private Tour: $115
- Cuenca City Half Day Tour: $52
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAsuncion $10Cuenca $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Asuncion
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:
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Beer$1.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asuncion and Cuenca, we can see that Asuncion is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca 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 Asuncion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Asuncion than you might in Cuenca.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asuncion Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Asuncion or Cuenca?
Asuncion has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Asuncion and Cuenca, 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 Asuncion or Cuenca?
Asuncion has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cuenca experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Asuncion or Cuenca in the Summer?
Both Cuenca and Asuncion during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
In the summer, Asuncion is a little warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asuncion in January average around 29°C (84°F), and Cuenca averages at about 22°C (72°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Asuncion. Asuncion usually gets more rain in January than Cuencain July. Asuncion gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyAsuncion 29°C (84°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Asuncion or Cuenca in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asuncion and Cuenca. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Asuncion is generally much warmer than Cuencain October. Daily temperatures in Asuncion average around 24°C (75°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Asuncion gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Asuncion usually receives more rain than Cuencain October. Asuncion gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberAsuncion 24°C (75°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Asuncion or Cuenca in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Asuncion as well as Cuenca. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
The weather in Cuenca can be very cold. Asuncion is much warmer than Cuenca in the winter. The daily temperature in Asuncion averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F)in January.
Asuncion usually gets more rain in July than Cuencain January. Asuncion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAsuncion 19°C (66°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Asuncion or Cuenca in the Spring?
Both Cuenca and Asuncion are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Asuncion is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asuncion in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Cuenca averages at about 10°C (50°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Asuncion. In October, Asuncion usually receives more rain than Cuencain April. Asuncion gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilAsuncion 25°C (77°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Asuncion
| Asuncion | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 29°C (84°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.