Which place is cheaper, Boquete or Cuenca?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cuenca or Boquete?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cuenca and Boquete. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Cuenca or Boquete?
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.
Boquete
Boquete is a village located in the pacific west of Panama. This town very recently became an attractive destination for tourists and expatriates. Before the early 2000's, it was a quiet town hidden away in the mountains with very little tourism. After the development of Valle Escondido, which is a largely residential area, many North Americans flocked to this town and an expat community developed. Boquete is known for it's near perfect year round temperature of about seventy degrees Fahrenheit, beautiful untouched nature, and world renowned coffee.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador, The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCuenca $42Boquete $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Cuenca is $42, while the average daily cost in Boquete is $54. 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 Cuenca and Boquete in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCuenca $13Boquete $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCuenca $26Boquete $46
Compare Hotels in Cuenca and Boquete
Looking for a hotel in Cuenca or Boquete? 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 and Boquete Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cuenca $11Boquete $5.23
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 Cuenca or Boquete?
Prices for flights to both Boquete and Cuenca 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 dayCuenca $15Boquete $18
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.Cuenca $16Boquete $17
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
Tours and Activities in Boquete
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boquete are as follows:
- Schumann's BOTANICAL PARK TOUR: $30
- Small Group Coffee Tour (Minimum 2 people): $40
- Boquete Private 360° View Tour: $40
- Self-Guided Half-Day Boquete Tour E-Bicycle: $46
- Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
- Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
- 2-Hour Private Mezcal and Geisha Liqueur Tasting Experience: $65
- The Local Flavors of Boquete E-Bike Tour (4 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $80
- 3-Hour Private Tour to La Estrella Lake from Boquete on E Bike: $84
- Hiking Experience in Caldera Transportation Included: $90
- 3-hour Private Tour to the Peque Doraz Butterfly Garden by Ebike: $90
- Private honey tasting bike tour and butterfly garden walk: $130
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCuenca $14Boquete $4.46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cuenca and Boquete, we can see that Boquete is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cuenca is in South America and Boquete is in Central 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 Boquete would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boquete 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 Cuenca Expensive? and Is Boquete Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cuenca or Boquete?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Boquete. When comparing the sizes of Cuenca and Boquete, 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.
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.