Which place is cheaper, Lima or Cuenca?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cuenca or Lima?
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 Lima. 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 Lima?
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.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCuenca $42Lima $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Cuenca is $42, while the average daily cost in Lima is $77. 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 Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCuenca $13Lima $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCuenca $26Lima $98
Compare Hotels in Cuenca and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Cuenca or Lima? 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 Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cuenca $11Lima $5.73
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Short Taxi Ride$4.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Airport Transfer Service in Lima: $95
- Assistance /Transfer Hotel - Airport Lima Airport : $40
- From The Larco Museum Complete Tour with transfers: $52
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer : $30
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $61
- Jorge Chavez International Airport: Private Transfer: $25
- Lima : Private transfer between airport to your destination: $29
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Lima Airport Transfers: Lima City to Jorge Chavez Airport LIM in Standard Car: $27
- Lima Airport Transfers: Lima City to Jorge Chavez Airport LIM in Standard Van: $30
- Lima Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Lima city center: $6.00
- Lima Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Miraflores: $5.63
Is it cheaper to fly into Cuenca or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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 $15Lima $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
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.34
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Ice cream$3.53
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Coffee$2.99
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Donut$0.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Lima Market Food Tour - Taste 9 Popular Peruvian Snacks: $35
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
- Lima Night Food Tour: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cuenca $16Lima $8.66
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 Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $30
- Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
- Half-Day Biking and Walking Tour in Cuenca: $30
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
- Private Cuenca City Tour including Turi Viewpoint: $40
- El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
- Experience Historical City Tour: $44
- Cuenca Heritage Complex: Chocolate Tasting, Tour and Museums: $45
- City Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Cuenca, Ecuador Half-Day City Tour: $46
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $48
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.31
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Free Walking Tour of Lima: $2.00
- Customize your trip to Peru with Lima Experience: $12
- bike tour: $12
- Party tour Fridays Barranco / Saturdays Miraflores: $18
- Private Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
- 2 Hour Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $20
- Lima Downtown Tour from Miraflores in 3 hrs: $21
- Coffee tasting experience at Terrua Cafe: $25
- Historic Center Walking Tour with Pisco Sour Tasting: $25
- City Sightseeing Panoramic Bus Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCuenca $14Lima $5.63
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.30
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Beer$4.07
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Cocktail$3.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $17
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $18
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Party tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Local Wine Tour: $50
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Oasis + Wine Tour !! The best price: $226
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cuenca and Lima, we can see that Lima 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima 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 Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cuenca or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Cuenca and Lima, 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 Cuenca or Lima?
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 Cuenca or Lima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cuenca and Lima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Cuenca usually receives more rain than Lima. Cuenca gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Cuenca is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Cuenca average around 22°C (72°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCuenca 22°C (72°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Cuenca as well as Lima. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Cuenca usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Cuenca gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Cuenca is much colder than Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cuenca averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCuenca 12°C (54°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and Cuenca are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Cuenca usually receives more rain than Lima. Cuenca gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Cuenca. In the winter, Cuenca is much colder than Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cuenca in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCuenca 4°C (39°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima and Cuenca during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
Cuenca usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Cuenca gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Cuenca is generally much colder than Lima. Daily temperatures in Cuenca average around 10°C (50°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCuenca 10°C (50°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Cuenca
| Cuenca | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.