Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Cuenca?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cuenca or Puerto Varas?
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 Varas. 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 Varas?
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 Varas
Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect 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 G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCuenca $42Puerto Varas $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Cuenca is $42, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $109. 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 Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCuenca $13Puerto Varas $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCuenca $26Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Cuenca and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Cuenca or Puerto Varas? 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 Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cuenca $11Puerto Varas $21
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 Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Cuenca or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas 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 Varas $25
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 Varas $19
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 Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour Frutillar: $31
- Half day Frutillar and Llanquihue Town tour: $34
- Half-Day Tour to Frutillar and Llanquihue: $35
- Half day Osorno Volcano tour: $35
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $50
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
- FullDay Chiloe Island Tour Castro and dalcahue: $62
- Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
- Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Varas: $68
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCuenca $14Puerto Varas $6.51
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cuenca and Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas 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 Varas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Varas 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 Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cuenca or Puerto Varas?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Cuenca and Puerto Varas, 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 Varas?
Puerto Varas 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 Varas in the Summer?
Both Puerto Varas and Cuenca are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Cuenca is a little warmer than Puerto Varas in the summer. The daily temperature in Cuenca averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 16°C (60°F)in January.
In July, Cuenca usually receives less rain than Puerto Varasin January. Cuenca gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas 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 Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Varas and Cuenca during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Cuenca is a little warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cuenca in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 11°C (51°F)in April.
Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cuenca usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Varasin April. Cuenca gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas 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 Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cuenca and Puerto Varas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
It's quite cold in Cuenca in the winter. In January, Cuenca is generally much colder than Puerto Varasin July. Daily temperatures in Cuenca average around 4°C (39°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Cuenca usually receives less rain than Puerto Varasin July. Cuenca gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas 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 Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cuenca as well as Puerto Varas. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Cuenca is around the same temperature as Puerto Varas in the spring. The daily temperature in Cuenca averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. Cuenca usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Varasin October. Cuenca gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas 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 Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Cuenca
| Cuenca | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.