Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Cuenca?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cuenca or Santiago?
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 Santiago. 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 Santiago?
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.
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.
Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCuenca $42Santiago $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Cuenca is $42, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $141. 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 Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCuenca $13Santiago $110
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCuenca $26Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in Cuenca and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Cuenca or Santiago? 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 Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cuenca $11Santiago $5.41
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $24
- Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Business Car: $67
- Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Luxury Van: $84
- Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
- From Farellones/Valle Nevado Roundtrip Transfer: $35
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones with Transfer: $70
- Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
- Private Round Trip Transfer on Santiago Of Chile City: $55
- Private Santiago Hotel or Airport Arrival Transfer to Viña del Mar or Valparaiso: $95
- Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
- Private Transfer From The Hotel in Santiago City To the Airport: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Cuenca or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago 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 $15Santiago $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
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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
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.89
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Hamburger$2.50
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Dinner$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $45
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $92
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $117
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Private Tour: Santiago at Night with Dinner and Show: $131
- Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $131
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
- Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cuenca $16Santiago $47
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 Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
- Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
- La Paz from the Heights: Down hill Walking tour & Cable Cars: $12
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $15
- Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
- Skip the Line: Concha y Toro Traditional Tour Ticket: $25
- Walking tour through Santiago: $26
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones Small Group Tour: $29
- History Walking Tour in Chile: $29
- Half Day tradicional city Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCuenca $14Santiago $8.41
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
- Undurraga Wine tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- Private Tour: Undurraga Vineyard Experience with Premium Wine Tasting: $92
- half day wine tour to concha y toro from Santiago seasonal offer: $95
- From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cuenca and Santiago, we can see that Santiago 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 Santiago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santiago 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 Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cuenca or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Cuenca and Santiago, 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 Santiago?
Santiago 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 Santiago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cuenca and Santiago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
Cuenca is around the same temperature as Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Cuenca averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
In July, Cuenca usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Cuenca gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCuenca 22°C (72°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Cuenca as well as Santiago. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Cuenca is cooler than Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cuenca in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.
Cuenca usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Cuenca gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilCuenca 12°C (54°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago and Cuenca are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Cuenca. In January, Cuenca is generally much colder than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Cuenca average around 4°C (39°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In January, Cuenca usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Cuenca gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyCuenca 4°C (39°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago 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 cooler than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Cuenca averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.
Cuenca usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Cuenca gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberCuenca 10°C (50°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Cuenca
| Cuenca | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.