Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Curitiba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Curitiba or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Curitiba and Cuenca can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Curitiba or Cuenca?
Curitiba
Curitiba is a relatively large city that is convenient to visit if you're traveling to Iguazu Falls from either Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo. It is worth a day or two stop over because it has a great old city that has been restored. It's also the capital of Parana, Brazil. Curitiba is one of the more wealthy cities in the southern region of Brazil. It has a diverse population with many immigrants and some interesting cultural events.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCuritiba $73Cuenca $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Curitiba is $73, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $42. 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 Curitiba and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCuritiba $30Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCuritiba $60Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Curitiba and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Curitiba or Cuenca? 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: Curitiba Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Curitiba $16Cuenca $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Curitiba
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Curitiba:
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Taxi Ride$1.95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Curitiba
Also for Curitiba, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Afonso Pena Airport (CWB) to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $87
- Afonso Pena Airport CWB to Beach Resorts : Arrival Transfer: $43
- Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Downtown - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
- Curitiba Airport CWB to Downtown hotels- Arrival Private Transfer: $16
- Curitiba Airport PrivateTransfers Round Trip or One Way: $110
- Curitiba to Afonso Pena Airport (CWB)- Departure Private Transfer: $17
- Curitiba to Curitiba Airport (CWB) - Departure Private Transfer: $16
- Private Transfer from Curitiba Airport: $106
- Private Transfer from Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Porto Belo Port : $75
- Private Transfer from Curitiba City Hotels to Porto Belo Port: $75
- Private Transfer from Curitiba City to Curitiba Airport (CWB): $35
- Shared Transfer: Curitiba International Airport: $39
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Curitiba or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Curitiba 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 dayCuritiba $28Cuenca $15
Typical Food Prices in Curitiba
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Curitiba:
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Chips$0.88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Curitiba
For Curitiba, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bar-hopping and Food Tour in Curitiba: $31
- Curitiba's History Food Tour: $70
- Curitiba's History Food Tour: $77
- Curitiba Tour by Night with Dinner: $94
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.Curitiba $19Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Curitiba
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Curitiba.
- Ticket MAI - Museum of Indigenous Art - Curitiba: $4.94
- Walking tour from past to present: $12
- Arte Bike Tour - Bike Tour with Kuritbike: $25
- Half Day Curitiba Sightseeing Tour: $31
- Historic City Tour in Curitiba with Jens Tours: $40
- Private City Tour - Top Postcards from Curitiba by Pinheiro Turismo: $40
- Interparks Cycling Tour Curitiba for small groups: $50
- Curitiba City Tour: $58
- 4-Hour Private Tour of Curitiba City: $70
- A private city tour: $71
- CRAFT BREWERS TOUR By Jens Tours: $72
- Full-day tour in Curitiba: $79
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
- 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
- Cuenca City Half Day Tour: $52
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCuritiba $14Cuenca $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Curitiba
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Curitiba:
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Beer$0.44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Curitiba and Cuenca, we can see that Curitiba 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 Curitiba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Curitiba 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 Curitiba Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Curitiba or Cuenca?
Curitiba has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Curitiba and Cuenca, 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.
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.