Should you visit Cuenca or Valparaiso?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Cuenca and Valparaiso. 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. So, let's dig into it.
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.
Valparaiso
Valparaiso, often referred to as Valpo, is an attractive city on the Pacific Coast in Chile. The city has a population of about 300,000 and is only 120 kilometers west of Santiago. The city's main industries aside from tourism include shipping and petroleum refining.
Valparaiso is popular with travelers because of its bohemian culture and brightly colored homes. It also offers some wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Although the city is short on specific sights, the atmosphere and beautiful setting make it a wonderful place to visit.
Valparaiso has a mild Mediterranean climate that is comparable to San Francisco or Santa Barbara. The summer is dry but fog is common year around. Rain can be heavy during the winter season and snow falls occasionally in the highest parts of the city. Winds can also be strong during the winter months.
Which city is cheaper, Valparaiso or Cuenca?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cuenca is $34, while the average daily cost in Valparaiso is $70. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Cuenca and Valparaiso in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $20 for a double occupancy room in Cuenca.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $74 for a double occupancy room in Valparaiso.
Food
Food in Cuenca costs travelers about $12 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
On average, meal and food prices in Valparaiso cost around $24 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $9.60.
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Food
Meals for one day
Cuenca $12
Valparaiso $24
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.
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Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca:
$55
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Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour):
$95
Typical Food prices in Valparaiso
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Valparaiso:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valparaiso
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valparaiso.
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Chilean Cuisine Cooking Class with Traditional Market Tour:
$85
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A unique oportunity to take part in a Mapuche cooking class in Nature:
$102
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Cuenca is $8.60 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The cost of a taxi ride in Valparaiso is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $5.09 per person, per day, on local transportation in Valparaiso.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
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Arrival Private Transfer: Cuenca Airport CUE to Cuenca City by Minivan:
$74
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Cuenca Airport Shuttle Transfer:
$19
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Cuenca Arrival Transfer:
$15
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Cuenca Departure Transfer:
$15
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Cuenca to Alausi Transfer in Fantasy Bus:
$25
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Cuenca to Guayaquil Transfer in Fantasy Bus:
$25
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Departure Private Transfer: Cuenca City to Cuenca Airport CUE by Minivan:
$74
-
Private Transfer from Cuenca City Center to Madrid City Center:
$147
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Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.:
$83
-
Transfer In Cuenca Airport - Hotel:
$25
Typical Local Transportation prices in Valparaiso
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Valparaiso are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valparaiso
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valparaiso:
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Maipo Valley 'Concha y Toro' Wine Tour Private Transfer from Valparaiso:
$254
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Pick up at the Pier and Valparaiso -Viña del Mar and transfer to the Airport:
$190
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Private Transfer from San Antonio Port to Valparaiso or Viña del Mar.:
$133
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Private Transfer from Valparaiso Hotel or port To Santiago Airport or Hotel:
$92
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Private Transfer from Valparaíso to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport:
$270
-
Transfer between Valparaiso and SCL Airport:
$80
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Transfer between Valparaiso and San Antonio port:
$80
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Transfer between Valparaiso and Santiago Hotels:
$91
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Transfers from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to Santiago:
$85
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Valparaiso Airport Private Transfer:
$113
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private transfer valparaiso pier to the airport:
$125
Entertainment
Cuenca's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $13 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Entertainment and activities in Valparaiso typically cost an average of $19 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Guided tour to Cuenca City:
$9.95
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Cuenca City Tour:
$20
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Cuenca City tour:
$25
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Half-Day Tour of Cuenca Including Panama Hat Factory:
$30
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Walking Cuenca City Tour with Pumapungo Complex Half Day:
$30
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Cuenca City Tour:
$30
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Biking and Walking City Tour Cuenca:
$30
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Half-Day Biking and Walking Tour of Cuenca, Ecuador:
$30
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Private Half-Day Cuenca City Tour:
$38
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Cajas National Park Half Day Tour:
$40
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Private Half-Day City Tour Including Turi Viewpoint:
$41
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Biking Cuenca City Tour:
$45
Typical Entertainment prices in Valparaiso
Here are a few typical costs in Valparaiso for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Valparaiso
Here are a few actual costs in Valparaiso for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Walking Tour of Valparaiso:
$25
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Heritage Tour covering the monuments and buildings of the European colonies:
$26
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Valparaiso Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$32
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Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide:
$40
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Valparaiso Walking Tour Including Funiculars and Trolley Bus Rides:
$52
-
Half-Day Valparaiso City Highlights Tour:
$54
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World Heritage Walking Tour in Valparaiso:
$57
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Shore Excursion: Valpo in 1 day! Semi-private walking tour & public transport:
$60
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Half-Day Chilean Pacific Coast Tour: Viña del Mar, Reñaca and Concón:
$62
-
Beer Tour in Valparaiso:
$67
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Valparaíso REAL city tour INCLUDES LUNCH AND BOAT TRIP.:
$72
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Half-Day Horseback Riding Tour from Valparaíso:
$91
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Cuenca may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $11 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Valparaiso may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $8.21 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typical Alcohol prices in Valparaiso
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Valparaiso are as follows:
Sample the Local Flavors in Valparaiso
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Valparaiso:
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Verso Wine Tasting:
$20
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Half day private wine tour at Casablanca valley:
$160
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Isla Negra Neruda Museum Tour And Casa Blanca Valley Wine Tour (PRIVATE TOUR)):
$179
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Emiliana Vineyard Organic Wine Tour in Valparaiso:
$194
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Private Wine Tour in Valparaíso:
$223
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cuenca and Valparaiso, we can see that Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valparaiso than you might in Cuenca.
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