Should you visit Cuenca or Medellin?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare 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. So, let's dig into it.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Medellin or Cuenca?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cuenca is $34, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $16. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Cuenca and Medellin in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $20 for a double occupancy room in Cuenca.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $3.47. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Medellin the cost is $6.94 on average.
Food
Food in Cuenca costs travelers about $12 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
Food in Medellin costs travelers about $6.13 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Cuenca $12
Medellin $6.13
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
-
Snacks
$5.00
-
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.
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Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca:
$55
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Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour):
$95
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Private Cooking Class:
$125
Typical Food prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
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Medellin Local Flavours: Night Street Private Food Tour:
$50
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Half-day Medellín Street Food tour with a local guide:
$65
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Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín:
$69
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Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín:
$69
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Community project cooking class and Medellin social transformation tour:
$70
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Private Market Tour and Colombian Cooking Lesson With a Local Family in Medellin:
$80
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Withlocals LIVE Meditation and Online Cooking for a Healthy Mind and Body:
$93
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Medellín Food Tour:
$94
-
food tour:
$97
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Sabaneta and Envigado Best Local Food Tour from Medellin:
$99
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Full Day Private Medellin City, Street Art and Food Tour:
$104
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Private Market Tour & Colombian Cooking Lesson with a Local in her Medellín Home:
$111
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Cuenca is $8.60 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The average price of local transportation around Medellin is $2.29 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
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Arrival Private Transfer: Cuenca Airport CUE to Cuenca City by Minivan:
$74
-
Cuenca Airport Shuttle Transfer:
$19
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Cuenca Arrival Transfer:
$15
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Cuenca Departure Transfer:
$15
-
Cuenca to Alausi Transfer in Fantasy Bus:
$25
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Cuenca to Guayaquil Transfer in Fantasy Bus:
$25
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Departure Private Transfer: Cuenca City to Cuenca Airport CUE by Minivan:
$74
-
Private Transfer from Cuenca City Center to Madrid City Center:
$147
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Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.:
$83
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Transfer In Cuenca Airport - Hotel:
$25
Typical Local Transportation prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
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Airport Transfer:
$43
-
Departure Private Transfer from Medellin City to Medellin Airport MDE by 2x4 Car:
$82
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Departure Private Transfer from Medellin City to Medellin Airport MDE by Minibus:
$188
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Departure Private Transfer from Medellin City to Medellin Airport MDE by Minivan:
$188
-
History and Street Art Tour in Comuna 13 with Private Transfer:
$18
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Hotel to Airport Transportation in Medellin (transfer service):
$25
-
Medellin Airport Pick-up (transfer service):
$25
-
Medellin Coffee Tour with transfer:
$123
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Medellín Private Transfer from Medellín City to Olaya Herrera (EOH) Airport:
$50
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Medellín Private Transfer from Olaya Herrera (EOH) Airport to Medellín City:
$50
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Medellín Private Transfer to / from Guatapé:
$55
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Private Airport Round-Trip Transfer: MDE Medellin Airport to Medellin City:
$55
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.
Entertainment
Cuenca's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $13 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Medellin's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $9.75 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Guided tour to Cuenca City:
$9.95
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Cuenca City Tour:
$20
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Cuenca City Tour:
$20
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Cuenca City tour:
$25
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Half-Day Tour of Cuenca Including Panama Hat Factory:
$30
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Walking Cuenca City Tour with Pumapungo Complex Half Day:
$30
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Biking and Walking City Tour Cuenca:
$30
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Half-Day Biking and Walking Tour of Cuenca, Ecuador:
$30
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Cajas National Park Half Day Tour:
$40
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Private Half-Day City Tour Including Turi Viewpoint:
$41
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Biking Cuenca City Tour:
$45
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Full Day Tour to National Park of Cajas:
$45
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Medellin Walking Tour with Snacks and Skip The Line Access:
$5.00
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Skip the Line: Museum of Antioquia Admission Ticket:
$6.50
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Virtual Tour: Colonial Santa Fe de Antioquia:
$14
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Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour:
$15
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Comuna 13 Tour Graffiti by Locals Sag Tour Medellin:
$17
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Graffiti tour electrical stairs!:
$19
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Tropical Exotic Fruits Tour in Laureles:
$19
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Storytellers Tours:
$21
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Medellín: Guided City Bike Tour:
$24
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The "not polite to use his name" City Tour:
$24
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Medellín Experience (full inmersion into the Aburrá Valley and its surroundings):
$24
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Tour de Grafittis - Ciudad Grafitti - COMUNA 13 - Tour Privado:
$25
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Cuenca may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $11 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Medellin may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $5.50 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Live the Nightlife Rooftop Pub Crawl:
$20
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Medellin private bar crawl:
$94
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Medellin Pub Crawl Including Food and City Tour:
$145
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.
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