Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Caracas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Caracas or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
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 Caracas and Cuenca can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Caracas or Cuenca?
Caracas
Caracas is the capital city of Venezuela, and also the country's largest city. It's in the northern portion of the country and is close to the Caribbean. While Caracas may not be a major travel destination in Venezuela, it can offer interesting insight into the country's urban character. It has a great art, culinary, and music culture that truly bring the city to life. The beautiful Mount Avila overlooks the city and separates the city from the Caribbean Sea. Many locals and visitors alike head to the mountain as a quick escape. You can reach it by taking a cable car that carries you up to the SWaraira Repano Park at the very top.
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 dayCaracas $0.00Cuenca $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Caracas is $0.00, 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 Caracas and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCaracas -Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCaracas $0.00Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Caracas and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Caracas 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: Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Caracas -Cuenca $11
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:
- Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.: $104
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Cuenca: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Caracas or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Caracas 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 dayCaracas -Cuenca $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
- Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour from Cuenca): $112
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Caracas -Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca, Ecuador Half-Day City Shared Tour: $25
- Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
- Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $30
- Private Cuenca City Tour including Turi Viewpoint: $40
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
- El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
- Experience Historical City Tour: $44
- City Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Cuenca, Ecuador Half-Day City Tour: $46
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $48
- Cuenca City Tour: $48
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCaracas -Cuenca $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Caracas and Cuenca, we can see that Cuenca is more expensive. And not only is Caracas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Caracas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Caracas 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 Cuenca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cuenca than you might in Caracas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Caracas Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Caracas or Cuenca?
Caracas has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Caracas 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 Caracas or Cuenca?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Caracas or Cuenca in the Summer?
Both Cuenca and Caracas are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Caracas throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Caracas usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Caracas gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Caracas is a little warmer than Cuenca in the summer. The daily temperature in Caracas averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCaracas 27°C (81°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Caracas or Cuenca in the Autumn?
Both Cuenca and Caracas during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Caracas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
Caracas usually gets more rain in October than Cuenca. Caracas gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Caracas is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Caracas in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Cuenca averages at about 12°C (54°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCaracas 28°C (83°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Caracas or Cuenca in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Caracas and Cuenca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Caracas year-round. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Caracas usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Caracas gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite cold in Cuenca in the winter. In January, Caracas is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Caracas average around 26°C (78°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCaracas 26°C (78°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Caracas or Cuenca in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Caracas as well as Cuenca. Caracas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Caracas usually gets less rain in April than Cuenca. Caracas gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Caracas is much warmer than Cuenca in the spring. The daily temperature in Caracas averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCaracas 27°C (80°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Caracas
| Caracas | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (78°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 54 mm (2.1 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.