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

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Should you visit Cuenca or Tena?

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 Tena. 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 Tena?

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.

Tena

Tena is the capital of the Napo Province, an attractive and quiet city in the Amazon rainforest, and is known as the "cinnamon capital" of Ecuador. Tena has a friendly population, lots of backpacker infrastructure, a gorgeous setting surrounded by jungle-covered hills and a high concentration of surrounding rivers where white-water lovers from around the world come to paddle and kayak. The town provides a gateway to exploration into Ecuador's most accessible part of the great Amazon rainforest, which does not leave visitors disappointed. Beyond being a base for discovering the jungle and its wildlife, Tena is also a hub for adventure sports which are abundant in the area. Tena is a charming place where many travelers find themselves hanging around quite happily before or after a trip into the rainforest.

Which place is cheaper, Tena 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 Tena is $49. 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 Tena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cuenca $13
    Tena $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cuenca $26
    Tena $46
Compare Hotels in Cuenca and Tena

Looking for a hotel in Cuenca or Tena? 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 Tena


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cuenca $11
    Tena $16
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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tena

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tena:

  • PRIVATE Transfer JMC Airport - Person in Disability (PeSD): $59
  • Popayan to Cali Private Transfer: $272
  • Popayan to Cali Private Transfer: $272
  • Private Transfer from José María Córdova (MDE) Airport to Medellín City: $64
  • Round trip transfer in Private Car from-to Palonegro Airport(BGA) to Bucaramanga: $29
  • Roundtrip transfer Private Car Medellin airport (MDE)- Guatape: $68
  • Roundtrip transfer in private minivan Medellin airport (MDE)- Guatape: $84
  • San Andres hotels to San Andres Airport (ADZ) Departure Transfer: $36
  • Transfer in Private Car from Bucaramanga Palonegro Airport (BGA) to Bucaramanga: $15
  • Transfer in Private Car from Medellin ariport (MDE)- Guatape: $34
  • Transfer in private minivan Medellin airport (MDE)- Guatape: $42

Is it cheaper to fly into Cuenca or Tena?

Prices for flights to both Tena 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
    Tena $15
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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cuenca $16
    Tena $14

Tours and Activities in Cuenca

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

  • Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $30
  • Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
  • Walking Tour Through The Historic Center Of Cuenca: $30
  • Cuenca electric scooter tour: $30
  • Half-Day Biking and Walking Tour in Cuenca: $30
  • Private Cuenca City Tour including Turi Viewpoint: $40
  • Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
  • Historical City Tour: $43
  • El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
  • Biking Cuenca City Tour: $45
  • City Sightseeing Tour: $45
  • Cuenca City Tour: $48

Tours and Activities in Tena

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

  • Manoa Park Admission Ticket: $9.38
  • Full Day Adventure to the Páramo de Ocetá from Mongui: $20
  • Private Waterfalls Experience with Chococamping: $32
  • Colonial Guaduas Tour: $43
  • Gastronomic Private Walking Tour in Popayán: $44
  • Unique experience flying paragliding: $50
  • Angelópolis Coffee Tour: $62
  • Popayan Gastronomic Wonders and City Tour: $63
  • Tour to Río Claro and La Caverna del Cóndor: $65
  • Private 2-hour Diving Experience with Instructor: $65
  • Coffee Tour Daytrip at Finca La Manchuria - Exclusive Experience.: $80
  • Experience Popayán, beautiful colonial city with a private tour guide.: $81

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cuenca $14
    Tena $9.93

How are these travel costs calculated?

When comparing the travel costs between Cuenca and Tena, we can see that Tena is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

Which is Bigger, Cuenca or Tena?

Cuenca is bigger, and its population is about 397.9 times larger than the population of Tena. When comparing the population of Cuenca vs. Tena, 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
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Cuenca vs. Tena Travel Comparison

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