Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Belize City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Belize City or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Belize City or Cuenca? 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: Belize City or Cuenca?
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It was once the capital of the country, but due to massive hurricane damage in 1961, the country decided to relocate it capital. With a population of 57,000 people, Belize City is located right at the mouth of the Haulover Creek.
This gorgeous tropical city experiences a monsoon climate – meaning there are warm and humid conditions throughout the course of the year. There is a wet season from May to January, so plan for a little bit of rain in that time.
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 G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBelize City $88Cuenca $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Belize City is $88, 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 Belize City and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBelize City $49Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBelize City $98Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Belize City and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Belize City 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: Belize City Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Belize City $5.82Cuenca $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City
Also for Belize City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Belize City to/from Placencia/Hopkins Shuttle Transfer: $113
- Belize city water taxi terminal to Airport transfer: $30
- Belize: Belize City to/from San Ignacio Shuttle Transfer: $68
- Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $60
- Private Transfer from Belize City and Airport to Placencia: $150
- Transfer Belize city to bacalar: $50
- We do transfers from airport to any where in Belize.: $49
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 Belize City or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Belize City 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 dayBelize City $27Cuenca $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belize City
For Belize City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Altun Ha Mayan Site & Food Tour: $80
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
- Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour from Cuenca): $112
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Belize City $29Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Belize City
For Belize City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Belize City Tour: $40
- Belizean Bits & Bites Food Tastings and City Tour in Belize: $50
- Hassle free Cave Tubing Adventure from Belize City with Lunch: $55
- Charlie's Cave Tubing Tour for cruisers (lunch included): $65
- Second largest Barrier Reef Adventure Snorkeling: $70
- Guided Cave Kayaking Tour with Pickup: $77
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and River Wallace and Manatee Watch Tour: $85
- Cave Tubing Experience from Belize City: $85
- Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
- Half-Day Altun Ha Temple & Belize City Tour: $86
- Turtle Garden Snorkeling Tour and Island Break : $90
- Howler Monkey Sanctuary Tour from Belize City: $90
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
- Cañari Bike Tour: $96
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBelize City $12Cuenca $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Belize City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belize City:
- Belize: City Highlights Tour with Rum Distillery Visit: $49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belize City and Cuenca, we can see that Belize City is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Belize City is in Central America and Cuenca 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 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 Belize City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Belize City 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 Belize City Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Belize City or Cuenca?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Belize City. When comparing the sizes of Belize City 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 Belize City or Cuenca?
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 Belize City or Cuenca in the Summer?
Both Cuenca and Belize City during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Belize City because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Belize City. Belize City usually gets more rain in July than Cuenca. Belize City gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Belize City is generally a little warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 28°C (82°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBelize City 28°C (82°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Belize City or Cuenca in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Belize City and Cuenca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Belize City year-round. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Belize City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Belize City usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Belize City gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Belize City is much warmer than Cuenca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Cuenca fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBelize City 26°C (80°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Belize City or Cuenca in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Belize City as well as Cuenca. Belize City attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Belize City receives a lot of rain in the winter. Belize City usually gets more rain in January than Cuenca. Belize City gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Cuenca. In the winter, Belize City is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Belize City in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Cuenca averages at about 4°C (39°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBelize City 24°C (74°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Belize City or Cuenca in the Spring?
Both Cuenca and Belize City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Belize City throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Belize City usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Belize City gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Belize City is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 27°C (80°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBelize City 27°C (80°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Belize City
| Belize City | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.