Should you visit Brasilia or Cuenca?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Brasilia and Cuenca can help you decide which place is right for you.
Brasilia
The capital city of Brazil, Brasilia is a uniquely-planned city that was constructed in four years from 1956-1960 in the shape of a large bird or airplane. Renowned for its modern architecture, the city listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and attracts architecture aficionados worldwide. For more information about this, check out this guide to architecture in Brasilia.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Cuenca or Brasilia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Brasilia is $65, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $34. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Brasilia and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
Brasilia's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $54. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $27.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $20 for a double occupancy room in Cuenca.
Food
The price of a meal in Brasilia can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $25 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $10 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
Food in Cuenca costs travelers about $12 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Brasilia $25
Cuenca $12
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.
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Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca:
$55
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Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour):
$95
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $17 per day to get around in Brasilia.
The average price of local transportation around Cuenca is $8.60 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brasilia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brasilia:
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Private Airport Transfer: Brasilia International Airport (BSB) to Brasilia:
$37
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Private Airport Transfer: from Brasilia to Brasilia International Airport (BSB):
$37
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Private Transfer: Brasilia to International Airport of Brasilia (BSB):
$68
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Private Transfer: International Airport of Brasilia (BSB) to Brasilia:
$68
Typical Local Transportation prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
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Arrival Private Transfer: Cuenca Airport CUE to Cuenca City by Minivan:
$74
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Cuenca Airport Shuttle Transfer:
$19
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Cuenca Arrival Transfer:
$15
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Cuenca Departure Transfer:
$15
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Cuenca to Alausi Transfer in Fantasy Bus:
$25
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Cuenca to Guayaquil Transfer in Fantasy Bus:
$25
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Departure Private Transfer: Cuenca City to Cuenca Airport CUE by Minivan:
$74
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Private Transfer from Cuenca City Center to Madrid City Center:
$147
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Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.:
$83
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Transfer In Cuenca Airport - Hotel:
$25
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $15 per person, per day in Brasilia. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Cuenca's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $13 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Brasilia
Here are a few actual costs in Brasilia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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City Tour Brasilia Noturna:
$91
-
Half Day city Tour:
$138
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Half Day Cultural Tour:
$138
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Guided tour to Cuenca City:
$9.95
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Cuenca City Tour:
$20
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Cuenca City tour:
$25
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Half-Day Tour of Cuenca Including Panama Hat Factory:
$30
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Walking Cuenca City Tour with Pumapungo Complex Half Day:
$30
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Cuenca City Tour:
$30
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Biking and Walking City Tour Cuenca:
$30
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Half-Day Biking and Walking Tour of Cuenca, Ecuador:
$30
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Private Half-Day Cuenca City Tour:
$38
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Cajas National Park Half Day Tour:
$40
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Private Half-Day City Tour Including Turi Viewpoint:
$41
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Biking Cuenca City Tour:
$45
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Brasilia may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $11 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Cuenca may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $11 per day on alcoholic beverages.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brasilia and Cuenca, we can see that Brasilia 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 Brasilia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brasilia than you might in Cuenca.
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