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

South America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

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.

Which place 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 $42, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $22. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cuenca $13
    Medellin $4.62
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cuenca $26
    Medellin $9.24
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.

Hotels in Cuenca


Hotels in Medellin


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cuenca $11
    Medellin $4.03
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:

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

Typical Local Transportation prices in Medellin

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


  • Taxi
    $1.61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:

  • Airport Transfer: $43
  • Airport Transfers : $120
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin City by 2x4 Car: $118
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin City by Minibus: $248
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin City by Minivan: $175
  • Departure Private Transfer from Medellin City to Medellin Airport MDE by 2x4 Car: $108
  • Departure Private Transfer from Medellin City to Medellin Airport MDE by Minibus: $248
  • Departure Private Transfer from Medellin City to Medellin Airport MDE by Minivan: $175
  • Downtown hotels to Medellin Airport (MDE) - Departure Transfer: $21
  • Jose Maria Cordova Airport(MDE) to Medellin - Round-Trip Transfer: $41
  • Medellín Private Transfer from Medellín City to Olaya Herrera (EOH) Airport: $43
  • Medellín Private Transfer from Olaya Herrera (EOH) Airport to Medellín City: $43

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cuenca $15
    Medellin $9.35
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

Typical Food prices in Medellin

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


  • Lunch
    $2.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.

  • Cooking Class Preparing Colombian Empanadas: $28
  • Street Food Cooking Class: $50
  • Community project cooking class and Medellin social transformation tour: $66
  • Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $69
  • Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $71
  • Private tour: Street food tour, Eat like a Local in Medellin!: $71
  • Medellín Food Tour: $94
  • Sabaneta and Envigado Best Local Food Tour from Medellin: $99
  • Full Day Private Medellin City, Street Art and Food Tour: $109
  • Private Market Tour and Colombian Cooking Lesson With a Local Family in Medellin: $114
  • Comuna 13, Fruit & Street Food Tour: $117
  • Medellin City Tour Including Metro Cable and Food Tour: $129

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cuenca $16
    Medellin $12

Tours and Activities in Cuenca

Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Cuenca Excursion Panoramic City Tour SightSeeingTour in double-decker bus: $8.34
  • Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $30
  • Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
  • Cuenca electric scooter tour: $30
  • Walking Tour Through The Historic Center Of Cuenca: $30
  • Half-Day Biking and Walking Tour in Cuenca: $30
  • Cajas National Park Half OR Full day tour from Cuenca: $40
  • Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
  • Private Cuenca City Tour including Turi Viewpoint: $40
  • Historical City Tour: $43
  • El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
  • Biking Cuenca City Tour: $45

Tours and Activities in Medellin

Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Guided Nightlife Tour of Comuna Trece in Medellin : $5.00
  • Skip the Line: Museum of Antioquia Admission Ticket: $7.20
  • History and Street Art Tour in Comuna 13: $8.00
  • Graffitour Medellín: History, Transformation and Overcoming": $13
  • Walking Tour Learn about Violence and Post-Conflict in Medellín: $13
  • Virtual Tour: Colonial Santa Fe de Antioquia: $14
  • GRAFITOUR COMUNA 13 more than a tour an EXPERIENCE: $15
  • COMUNA 13 Graffiti Tour: $15
  • Commune 13, cable car. Graffititour. History. All inclusive: $16
  • 90 Minute Walking Tour of Guatapé: $16
  • Comuna 13 Tour. Graffiti Tour Medellín (Graffitour): $17
  • Private Tour in La Comuna 13 its Art and History: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cuenca $14
    Medellin $7.02

Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin

Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Live the Nightlife Rooftop Pub Crawl : $15
  • 4 Hours Pub Crawl Nightlife in Medellin: $39
  • Medellin Private Bar Crawl: $94
  • All-Inclusive Comuna 13 Nightlife Bar Crawl with Locals: $130
  • Medellin Pub Crawl Including Food and City Tour: $146

How are these travel costs calculated?

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.

Which is Bigger, Cuenca or Medellin?

Medellin is bigger, and its population is about 7.2 times larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the population of Cuenca vs. 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 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
More City Comparisons
Recife vs. Cuenca
Recife vs. Medellin
Fortaleza vs. Cuenca
Fortaleza vs. Medellin
Puerto Iguazu vs. Cuenca
Puerto Iguazu vs. Medellin
Mar del Plata vs. Cuenca
Mar del Plata vs. Medellin
La Plata vs. Cuenca
La Plata vs. Medellin
Buenos Aires, Argentina vs. Cuenca
Buenos Aires, Argentina vs. Medellin
Asuncion vs. Cuenca
Asuncion vs. Medellin
Salto vs. Cuenca
Salto vs. Medellin
Punta del Este vs. Cuenca
Punta del Este vs. Medellin
Piriapolis vs. Cuenca
Piriapolis vs. Medellin
Montevideo vs. Cuenca
Montevideo vs. Medellin
Colonia del Sacramento vs. Cuenca
Colonia del Sacramento vs. Medellin
Sao Paulo vs. Cuenca
Sao Paulo vs. Medellin
Salvador vs. Cuenca
Salvador vs. Medellin
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Cuenca vs. Medellin Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.