Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Florianopolis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Florianopolis or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Florianopolis or Cuenca? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Florianopolis or Cuenca?
Florianopolis
With a population of almost 500,000, Florianopolis is the capital city of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The city is split between mainland Brazil and Santa Catarina Island.
Florianopolis has grown in popularity with tourists recently because of its wonderful scenery, beautiful beaches, and fascinating culture. Many Brazilians have also moved here, leaving behind the big cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Florianopolis has a warm humid subtropical climate. There are summer, winter, spring and fall seasons. Frosts are rare but do occur occasionally. Highs during the warmest months are usually in the high 70s Fahrenheit. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year and there is no distinct dry season.
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 Wildlife Tours to Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in 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 dayFlorianopolis $62Cuenca $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Florianopolis is $62, 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 Florianopolis and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlorianopolis $26Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlorianopolis $52Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Florianopolis and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Florianopolis 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: Florianopolis Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Florianopolis $13Cuenca $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florianopolis
Also for Florianopolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Florianópolis Airport Transfer anywhere on the island by Floripa Nativa: $39
- Hercilio Luz Airport - North Island Transfer: $14
- One Way Transfer : Florianopolis Airport to or from Florianopolis: $64
- Private Transfer Florianópolis Airport to City Center: $31
- Private Transfer Florianopolis Airport to Bal. Camboriu: $96
- Private Transfer from FLN Airport to the City Balneario Camboriú : $83
- Private Transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $97
- Roundtrip transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $168
- Shared transfer from Florianópolis airport to Balneário Camboriú: $35
- Transfer Florianópolis Airport / Costão do Santinho: $76
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Florianopolis or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Florianopolis 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 dayFlorianopolis $22Cuenca $15
Typical Food Prices in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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A Quick Snack$0.44
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.Florianopolis $26Cuenca $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florianopolis
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Florianopolis's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Internet$0.59
Tours and Activities in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Walking Tour Historic Center of Florianópolis: $12
- Historic Center Walking Tour in Florianopolis with Local Bar Hop: $14
- Bombinhas Beach and 4 Islands Tour: $22
- Shared Shuttle between Florianópolis Airport and Hotel with optional City Tour: $23
- Florianópolis Full Day City Tour: $25
- Rafting Adventure in Apuama - Rio Cubatão in Greater Florianópolis: $29
- Floripa City Tour by Bus - Whole Island - The Most Complete City Tour: $31
- Balneário Camboriú City Tour from Florianópolis: $35
- Tour Balneario Camboriu and Laranjeiras Beach TELEFERICO INCLUDED: $36
- Blumenau City Tour - departing from Florianópolis: $37
- Blumenau City Tour from Florianópolis: $38
- Lagoinha do Leste Hiking and Photography Adventure : $41
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
- Cañari Bike Tour: $96
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlorianopolis $8.68Cuenca $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florianopolis
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florianopolis from other travelers:
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Beer$0.59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Florianopolis and Cuenca, we can see that Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Florianopolis or Cuenca?
Florianopolis has a larger population, and is about 49% larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Florianopolis 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.
When is the best time to visit Florianopolis or Cuenca?
Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis or Cuenca in the Summer?
Both Cuenca and Florianopolis during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
Florianopolis is a little warmer than Cuenca in the summer. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 25°C (76°F) in January, and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Florianopolis. Florianopolis usually gets more rain in January than Cuencain July. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyFlorianopolis 25°C (76°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or Cuenca in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and Cuenca. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Florianopolis is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Florianopolis in April average around 22°C (71°F), and Cuenca averages at about 12°C (54°F)in October.
In April, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than Cuencain October. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberFlorianopolis 22°C (71°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or Cuenca in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as Cuenca. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Cuenca. In July, Florianopolis is generally much warmer than Cuencain January. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 17°C (62°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
Florianopolis usually gets more rain in July than Cuencain January. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryFlorianopolis 17°C (62°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or Cuenca in the Spring?
Both Cuenca and Florianopolis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Florianopolis is much warmer than Cuenca in the spring. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Florianopolis. In October, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than Cuencain April. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilFlorianopolis 20°C (68°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Florianopolis
| Florianopolis | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (76°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 95 mm (3.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (71°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.