Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Cuenca?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cuenca or San Juan?
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 San Juan. 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 San Juan?
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.
San Juan
If you've ever set foot on a Caribbean cruise, you've probably spent a bit of time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, maybe you should consider spending more than just a port day in this beautiful and historically rich city.
As the capital and largest city in all of Puerto Rico, San Juan is home to approximately 400,000 people. Established in 1521, it is also the second oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas.
As this city fuses a historic paradise with modern day energy, it has absolutely everything to offer. Intellectual wanderers, beach bums, rainforest adventurers and radical surfers will all find plenty to do in San Juan.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCuenca $42San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Cuenca is $42, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $192. 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 San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCuenca $13San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCuenca $26San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Cuenca and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Cuenca or San Juan? 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 San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cuenca $11San Juan $14
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
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Cuenca: $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Mendoza: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $25
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- Oneway Transfer from San Juan (SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Ponce: $125
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Private Transportation in Puerto Rico From or To San Juan Airport(SJU) Transfers: $33
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Cuenca or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan 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 $15San Juan $36
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Old San Juan Sunset Food Tour with Drinks: $156
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walk and Food Tour: $159
- City Lights Sky High Dinner Experience: $165
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Private Local Food Tour in San Juan: $275
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cuenca $16San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $48
- Azuay: San Bartolomé, Gualaceo, and Chordeleg Artisanal Tour: $63
- Biking Cuenca City Tour: $50
- Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
- Birdwatching Tour in Giron and Yunguilla Jocotoco Reserve from Cuenca: $150
- Birdwatching Tour, Via Gualaceo to the Eastern slope from Cuenca: $130
- Cañari Bike Tour: $96
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $49
- Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $49
- Cajas National Park and Cuenca City private Tour: $115
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Tour$40
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Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
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1 Hr Windsurfing Lesson$75
Tours and Activities in San Juan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Juan.
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historic Buildings: $5.99
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $20
- Old Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $25
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- Walking tour of Oaxaca City: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCuenca $14San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Pinones Pub crawl in Puerto Rico: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cuenca and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cuenca is in South America and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 San Juan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Juan 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 San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cuenca or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Cuenca and San Juan, 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 San Juan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Cuenca or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Cuenca during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Cuenca usually gets less rain in July than San Juan. Cuenca gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Cuenca is generally cooler than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Cuenca average around 22°C (72°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCuenca 22°C (72°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cuenca and San Juan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Cuenca usually receives less rain than San Juan. Cuenca gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Cuenca is much colder than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cuenca averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCuenca 12°C (54°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cuenca as well as San Juan. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Cuenca usually gets less rain in January than San Juan. Cuenca gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Cuenca can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Cuenca is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cuenca in January average around 4°C (39°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCuenca 4°C (39°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Cuenca are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Cuenca usually receives less rain than San Juan. Cuenca gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Cuenca is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Cuenca average around 10°C (50°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCuenca 10°C (50°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Cuenca
| Cuenca | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 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.