A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Curitiba vs. Cusco for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Curitiba or Cusco?

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 Cusco 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 Cusco?

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.

Cusco

Cusco is most famous as the historic capital of the Inca Empire. It is in the southern Sierras and is one of the most popular travel destinations within Peru. The city is located at 3,400 meters above sea level so it is best to acclimate yourself slowly to avoid altitude sickness.

Cusco is the starting point for many travelers making their way to the famed Machu Picchu or other Inca sites in the surrounding area.

The city is very beautiful and has impressive architecture throughout. The history is obvious as you walk around town and there are impressive ruins nearby, with the most impressive being Sacsayhuaman. The city also has a significant indigenous population that is obvious from their traditional clothing and style.

Cusco has a subtropical highland climate with a pleasant daytime temperature year around. There are two distinct seasons with the dry season being between May and August and the wet season between December and March. During the dry season there is plenty of sun with occasional nighttime freezes. Frost is less common in the wet season.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.


Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Curitiba?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Curitiba is $74, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $51. 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 Cusco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Curitiba $31
    Cusco $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Curitiba $62
    Cusco $46
Compare Hotels in Curitiba and Cusco

Looking for a hotel in Curitiba or Cusco? 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 Curitiba


Hotels in Cusco


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 Cusco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Curitiba $16
    Cusco $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Curitiba

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Curitiba:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Curitiba

Also for Curitiba, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Curitiba to Curitiba Airport (CWB) - Departure Private Transfer: $17
  • Curitiba Airport CWB to Downtown hotels- Arrival Private Transfer: $17
  • Curitiba to Afonso Pena Airport (CWB)- Departure Private Transfer: $18
  • Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Downtown - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
  • Private Transfer from Curitiba City to Curitiba Airport (CWB): $35
  • Shared Transfer: Curitiba International Airport: $39
  • Afonso Pena Airport CWB to Beach Resorts : Arrival Transfer: $44
  • Private Transfer from Curitiba City Hotels to Porto Belo Port: $76
  • Private Transfer from Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Porto Belo Port : $76
  • Shared transfer between Curitiba Airport and Hotels: $76
  • Afonso Pena Airport (CWB) to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $88
  • Private Transfer from Curitiba Airport: $106

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:

  • From 2-Day Guided Trip to Machu Picchu with Transfers: $345
  • Full-Day Trip to Machu Picchu with Hotel Transfers: $290
  • Direct Private Transfer From Cusco to Puno, English Local Speaking Driver: $208
  • Private Transfer from Valle Sagrado to Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport: $158
  • Private Transfer from Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport to Ollantaytambo: $143
  • Scenic Journey from Cusco to Puno by Bus Including Hotel Transfers: $128
  • Puno Bus Transfer with Buffet Lunch: $109
  • Comfortable Private Transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo: $100
  • Transfer Cusco - Ollantaytambo train station : $95
  • Private City Tour and Saksaywaman Visit with Transfer: $80
  • Cuzco city or airport to Ollantaytambo train station -Departure Private Transfer: $68
  • From Temple of the Moon Horseback Tour with Transfer: $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Curitiba or Cusco?

Prices for flights to both Cusco 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Curitiba $29
    Cusco $13
Typical Food Prices in Curitiba

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Curitiba:


  • Chips
    $0.90

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: $32
  • Curitiba's History Food Tour: $70
  • Curitiba's History Food Tour: $76
  • Curitiba Tour by Night with Dinner: $94

Typical Food Prices in Cusco

Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:


  • Sandwich
    $2.18
  • Mango
    $0.54

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.

  • Small-Group Virtual Ceviche Cooking Experience: $25
  • Small-Group Virtual Peruvian Cooking Experience: $25
  • CUSCO COOKING CLASS LUNCH - Quick Culinary Dive: $37
  • 3-Hour Peruvian Cooking Class: $49
  • Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $50
  • Pete's Peruvian Cooking Class: $52
  • Vegetarian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour in Cusco: $58
  • Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market in Cusco: $59
  • Peruvian Cooking Experience & Pisco Tasting in Cusco : $59
  • Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market Tour: $63
  • Peruvian Cooking Class & Market Tour: $65
  • Awamaki Cooking Class: $68

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Curitiba $20
    Cusco $29

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: $5.06
  • Walking tour from past to present: $12
  • Arte Bike Tour - Bike Tour with Kuritbike: $25
  • Half Day Curitiba Sightseeing Tour: $31
  • Private City Tour - Top Postcards from Curitiba by Pinheiro Turismo: $41
  • Historic City Tour in Curitiba with Jens Tours: $41
  • Interparks Cycling Tour Curitiba for small groups: $51
  • Curitiba City Tour: $58
  • 4-Hour Private Tour of Curitiba City: $72
  • A private city tour: $73
  • CRAFT BREWERS TOUR By Jens Tours: $74
  • Full-day tour in Curitiba: $81

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:


  • Salsa Class
    $2.72

Tours and Activities in Cusco

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:

  • 1 Day Rainbow Mountain Tour From Cusco: $75
  • ATV Tour to Moray, Maras and Salar in the Sacred Valley of the Incas: $42
  • City Tour Cusco / Tour in the City: $12
  • Colorful mountain adventure with a slightly steep hike: $48
  • Cusco City Tour I Half-Day: $28
  • Half-Day Private Tour to Maras and Moray: $90
  • Official Machupicchu Ticket: $96
  • Official Ticket Football Day tour In Cusco with Tourism Guide: $100
  • Official Ticket- Machu Picchu Lost Citadel: $72
  • Sacred Valley Tour in Cusco : $47
  • Ticket To Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain : $89
  • Tour a la montaña de 7 colores vinicunca 1 dia: $48

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Curitiba $14
    Cusco $9.58
Typical Alcohol Prices in Curitiba

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Curitiba:


  • Beer
    $0.45

Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco

Also in Cusco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Cusco Pub Crawl - Bar Tour Cusco : $18
  • Cusco Pub Crawl: Cusco Bar Hopping Experience : $18
  • Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
  • Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks: $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Curitiba and Cusco, we can see that Curitiba is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cusco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cusco 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 Cusco.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Curitiba Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Curitiba or Cusco?

Curitiba has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Curitiba and Cusco, 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.