Which place is cheaper, Medellin or Cuenca?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Cuenca or Medellin?
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 Medellin. 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 Medellin?
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.
Medellin
In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.
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 Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Cuenca Prices
Ecuador PricesMedellin Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCuenca $53Medellin $28
The average daily cost (per person) in Cuenca is $53, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $28. 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 Medellin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCuenca $13Medellin $4.41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCuenca $26Medellin $8.82
Compare Hotels in Cuenca and Medellin
Looking for a hotel in Cuenca or Medellin? 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 Medellin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cuenca $11Medellin $3.84
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:
- Cuenca Airport Transfer: $13
- Cuenca to/from Guayaquil Private Transfer: $80
- Ecuador: Airport Transfers on Quito, Guayaquil and others.: $30
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Cuenca: $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
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Taxi$1.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Airport Transfers : $120
- Airport Transfers Medellín (per way): $47
- Airport Transfers to Medellin Hotels: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer from Medellin Airport to City by Sedan: $137
- Arrival Transfer Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin City by Minivan: $132
- Arrival Transfer from Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin by Minibus: $156
- Guatapé Private Transfer: José María Córdova Airport: $42
- Medellín - Arboletes, Antioquia Transfer by Van: $50
- Medellín Airport Private Transfer Service (Departure): $35
- Medellín to Guatapé: Private Transfer: $235
- Medellín to or from Guatapé Private Transfer: $65
- Medellín to or from Guatapé Private Transfer: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Cuenca or Medellin?
Prices for flights to both Medellin 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 $26Medellin $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
Typical Food Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
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Lunch$1.94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Medellín: Comuna 13 True Story and Street Food Tour: $11
- Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $30
- A night in Medellín: food tour and bars in El Poblado!: $30
- Medellín: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings (El Poblado): $44
- Street Food Tour in Medellín with 10 + Tastings in El Poblado: $45
- Medellin Night E-Bike Tour with Gourmet Dinner Included: $54
- City Tour by Electric Bicycle + Gourmet Dinner: $59
- Private Half-Day Food Tour Visiting Best Viewpoints in Medellín!: $75
- Private Street Food Tour, Eat like a Local in Medellin!: $75
- MEDELLÍN: PRIVATE FOOD TOUR WITH THE BEST VIEWPOINTS!: $80
- Traditional Food Tour: $95
- Food Tour in An Authentic Culinary Experience: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cuenca $16Medellin $12
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca-Ec- Highlights City Tour : $15
- Cuenca, Ecuador Walk City Tour: $20
- Half-Day Biking and Walking Tour in Cuenca: $30
- Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $35
- Tour of the best of Cuenca walking through its Historic Center: $35
- Half-Day City Tour including Panama Hat Factory: $35
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $39
- El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
- Cuenca Your Way Exclusive Private City Tour: $45
- City Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $47
- Cajas National Park Hiking Tour from Cuenca: $47
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Laureles: Gastronomic Tour and Colombian Food Tasting.: $6.31
- Access Ticket to the Museum of Modern Art of Medellin: $6.43
- Medellín: Comuna 13 and Graffiti Walking Tour with Snacks: $8.88
- Shared Tour of Medellin's Historic & Cultural Downtown: $9.08
- Shared Tour Poblado, Provenza & Manila Districts: $9.08
- Shared Tour Medellin's Violence & Post-conflict after Pablo: $9.08
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour with Local Guide & Snacks: $9.59
- Medellin Historic Walking Tour: $10
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Local History Tour with Graffiti & Snack: $10
- Medellín: Comuna 13 (Graffitour) Discover the Transformation: $10
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Tour with Spray Painting and Street Food: $11
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Tour with Spray Painting and ice cream : $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCuenca $14Medellin $6.69
Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Guided Medellin Pub Crawl: $18
- Rooftop Bar Crawl with VIP Access & Hidden Clubs: $19
- The Medellin Pub Crawl: $20
- Rooftop Bar Crawl with VIP Access & Hidden Clubs: $27
- Live the Nightlife Rooftop Pub Crawl : $49
- Medellín Nightlife: Rooftop Bar Crawl: $85
- Medellín Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks: $125
- All-Inclusive Comuna 13 Nightlife Bar Crawl with Locals: $130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cuenca and Medellin, we can see that Cuenca is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Medellin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cuenca Expensive? and Is Medellin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cuenca or Medellin?
Medellin has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Cuenca and Medellin, 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.