A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cuenca vs. Cali for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Cuenca or Cali?

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 Cali. 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 Cali?

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.

Cali

Cali is Colombia's third largest city. Founded in 1536, can be explored on foot: walk under the shade of trees along the riverbank, admire the architecture of churches and other national monuments, and visit the city's many museums. Being the salsa capital of the world, Cali is primarily a destination for salsa and party but it also offers some great days out in the nearby natural surroundings. In Cali, travelers can enjoy music festivals, learn about sugarcane farming, and take in the mountainous landscapes.

Which place is cheaper, Cali or Cuenca?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cuenca is $42, while the average daily cost in Cali is $24. 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 Cali in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cuenca $13
    Cali $5.78
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cuenca $26
    Cali $12
Compare Hotels in Cuenca and Cali

Looking for a hotel in Cuenca or Cali? 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.

Hotels in Cuenca


Hotels in Cali


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 Cali Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cuenca $11
    Cali $5.40
Typical Local Transportation prices in Cuenca

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:


  • 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: $45
  • Shared transfer from Cuenca Airport to Hotel: $45
  • Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.: $104
  • Departure Private Transfer: Cuenca City to Cuenca Airport CUE by Minivan: $74
  • Cuenca to Guayaquil Transfer in Fantasy Bus: $25
  • Cuenca Departure Transfer: $34
  • Cuenca Arrival Transfer: $34
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Cuenca Airport CUE to Cuenca City by Minivan: $74

Typical Local Transportation prices in Cali

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali

Also for Cali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Cali Airport (CLO) - Cali City: $43
  • Alfonso Airport CLO to Cali or Palmira Hotels Arrival Transfer: $24
  • Alfonso Aragon Airport CLO to Cali Palmira Arrival Transfer: $24
  • Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira-RoundTrip Transfer: $48
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by 2x4 Vehicle: $68
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minibus: $171
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minivan: $96
  • Cali or Palmira Hotels to Alfonso Airport CLO Departure Transfer: $24
  • Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
  • Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
  • Cali to or from Buenaventura Private Transfer: $80
  • Cali/Palmira to Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) - Private Transfer: $24

Is it cheaper to fly into Cuenca or Cali?

Prices for flights to both Cali 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cuenca $15
    Cali $8.24
Typical Food prices in Cuenca

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:


  • Lunch
    $10
  • Snacks
    $5.00
  • Empanada
    $1.50
  • 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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cali

For Cali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Street Food Tour: $18
  • Alameda Market Food Tour: $52
  • Street Food Tour - Live A Unique Gastronomic Experience: $53
  • Patio Santo Style Rumba Dinner: $168

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cuenca $16
    Cali $10

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
  • Inca Trail Cajas National Park tour from Cuenca: $110
  • 4 or 5-Day Tour Cuenca,Alausi,Baños,Quilotoa,Cotopaxi and Quito: $670
  • Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $49
  • Archaeological Tour: Pumapungo - Cojitambo - Ingapirca: $60
  • Azuay: San Bartolomé, Gualaceo, and Chordeleg Artisanal Tour: $63
  • Baños & Amazon 4-day tour from Cuenca or Quito: $799
  • Biking Cuenca City Tour: $45
  • Birdwatching Tour Cajas Park and Tamarindo Tropical Forest area from Cuenca: $130
  • Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
  • Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
  • Birdwatching Tour in Giron and Yunguilla Jocotoco Reserve from Cuenca: $150

Tours and Activities in Cali

For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 3 Hours Alameda Market Tour: $13
  • Half Day Tour of the Historic Center of Cali: $13
  • Tourist and private transportation in the city of Cali: $25
  • Walking Tour in the Historic Center of Cali City: $25
  • 3-Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour: $27
  • Cali City Tour: $29
  • Coffee Tasting Experience in Cali Colombia : $33
  • Private half day tour in Siloé Cali: $35
  • Walking Tour: $35
  • Medicinal Plant Private Tour in La Galeria Alameda of Cali: $35
  • The Cali Street Food Walking Tour: $35
  • Craft Beer Tour in Cali: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cuenca $14
    Cali $8.15

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cuenca and Cali, we can see that Cuenca is more expensive. And not only is Cali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cali 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 Cali.

Which is Bigger, Cuenca or Cali?

Cali is bigger, and its population is about 8.6 times larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the population of Cuenca vs. Cali, 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 and the activities 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.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
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Cuenca vs. Cali Travel Comparison

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