Which place is cheaper, Puerto Montt or Cuenca?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cuenca or Puerto Montt?
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 Puerto Montt. 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 Puerto Montt?
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.
Puerto Montt
The Lake District is a region of snow capped volcanoes, pale green lakes and endless miles of virgin and ancient forests. Found 1,016 km away from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt is famous for its beautiful lakes and its germanic architecture, old wooden houses and its legendary Iglesia Catedral, found on the town's main square, la Plaza de Armas. The monument, entirely built with alerce (cypress) wood, is the oldest building of the city. The capital of the Lake Region is a good starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCuenca $42Puerto Montt $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Cuenca is $42, while the average daily cost in Puerto Montt is $89. 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 Puerto Montt in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCuenca $13Puerto Montt $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCuenca $26Puerto Montt $122
Compare Hotels in Cuenca and Puerto Montt
Looking for a hotel in Cuenca or Puerto Montt? 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 Puerto Montt Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cuenca $11Puerto Montt $6.43
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Montt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:
- 4 Days Tour Los Lagos Region with Transfer Chiloe and Peulla: $177
- Private Transfer from Puerto Airport (PMC) to Puerto Montt Port: $30
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $27
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $30
- Puerto Airport (PMC) to Frutillar - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $41
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Frutillar: Roundtrip Transfer: $46
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Round-Trip Transfer: $65
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel in Puerto Varas: $24
- Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $41
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Cuenca or Puerto Montt?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Montt 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 $15Puerto Montt $21
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cuenca $16Puerto Montt $14
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
Tours and Activities in Puerto Montt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Montt are as follows:
- Frutillar Tour: $31
- Half day Llanquihue and Frutillar City tour : $44
- Private Tour: Puerto Montt Sightseeing: $47
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Tour from Puerto Montt: $56
- Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls Guided Tour: $62
- Osorno Volcano Tour+Petrohue Falls / Cruises / Spanish: $68
- Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $77
- Excursion City tour Puerto Varas / Llanquihue and Frutillar: $77
- Private. City Tour Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas: $92
- Austral / Hornopiren Road Tour: $102
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $128
- 6 Hours Shared Tour in Calbuco and Millennial Forest : $130
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCuenca $14Puerto Montt $4.49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cuenca and Puerto Montt, we can see that Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cuenca or Puerto Montt?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 73% larger than the population of Puerto Montt. When comparing the sizes of Cuenca and Puerto Montt, 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 Puerto Montt?
Puerto Montt has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cuenca experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Cuenca or Puerto Montt in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cuenca and Puerto Montt. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
Cuenca is a little warmer than Puerto Montt in the summer. The daily temperature in Cuenca averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 16°C (60°F)in January.
In July, Cuenca usually receives less rain than Puerto Monttin January. Cuenca gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCuenca 22°C (72°F)Puerto Montt 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Puerto Montt in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Cuenca as well as Puerto Montt. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Cuenca is a little warmer than Puerto Montt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cuenca in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Puerto Montt averages at about 11°C (51°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Montt. Cuenca usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Monttin April. Cuenca gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilCuenca 12°C (54°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Puerto Montt in the Winter?
Both Puerto Montt and Cuenca are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Cuenca in the winter. In January, Cuenca is generally much colder than Puerto Monttin July. Daily temperatures in Cuenca average around 4°C (39°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Montt. In January, Cuenca usually receives less rain than Puerto Monttin July. Cuenca gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyCuenca 4°C (39°F)Puerto Montt 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Puerto Montt in the Spring?
Both Puerto Montt 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.
Cuenca is around the same temperature as Puerto Montt in the spring. The daily temperature in Cuenca averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in October.
Puerto Montt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cuenca usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Monttin October. Cuenca gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberCuenca 10°C (50°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Montt and Cuenca
| Cuenca | Puerto Montt | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.