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

South America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza 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.

Fortaleza

A major city on Brazil's northeastern coast and the capital city of Ceara state, Fortaleza is best characterized by its city landscape lined with beaches and palm trees. It also features some great seafood as well as long-standing folk traditions in culture and dance.

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.

Which city is cheaper, Cuenca or Fortaleza?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $57, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $34. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Fortaleza and Cuenca in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fortaleza $25
    Cuenca $9.97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fortaleza $50
    Cuenca $20

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fortaleza $17
    Cuenca $8.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza

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

  • Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Fortaleza by Minivan: $51
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Fortaleza by Sedan Car: $41
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Jericoacoara by Minivan: $336
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Jericoacoara by Sedan Car: $253
  • Beach Park Transfer from Fortaleza: $20
  • Cumbuco Private Transfer From Fortaleza: $36
  • Departure Private Transfer: Fortaleza City to Fortaleza Airport FOR by Minivan: $51
  • Departure Private Transfer: Fortaleza City to Fortaleza Airport FOR by Sedan Car: $41
  • Fortaleza Airport Private Transfer: $28
  • Fortaleza Airport Shared Transfer: $19
  • Fortaleza Roundtrip Airport Transfers: $38
  • Jericoacoara Private Transfer From Fortaleza: $240

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:

  • Private Transfer from Cuenca City Center to Madrid City Center: $147
  • Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.: $83
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Cuenca Airport CUE to Cuenca City by Minivan: $74
  • Departure Private Transfer: Cuenca City to Cuenca Airport CUE by Minivan: $74
  • Cuenca to Guayaquil Transfer in Fantasy Bus: $25
  • Cuenca to Alausi Transfer in Fantasy Bus: $25
  • Transfer In Cuenca Airport - Hotel: $25
  • Cuenca Airport Shuttle Transfer: $19
  • Cuenca Arrival Transfer: $15
  • Cuenca Departure Transfer: $15

Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or Cuenca?

Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Fortaleza 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
    Fortaleza $19
    Cuenca $12

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.

  • Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
  • Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour): $95
  • Private Cooking Class: $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fortaleza $12
    Cuenca $13

Tours and Activities in Fortaleza

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fortaleza.

  • Cumbuco Beach with City Tour from Fortaleza: $14
  • Tour to Cumbuco Beach: $17
  • Fortaleza City Tour: $18
  • Tour to Morro Branco & Fontes Beach: $21
  • Tour to Lagoinha Beach: $22
  • Tour to Aguas Belas Beach: $24
  • Tour to Canoa Quebrada Beach: $29
  • Fortaleza Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $31
  • Beach Park Full-Day Trip Including Brief Tour of Fortaleza: $35
  • Tour to Mundau Beach: $41
  • Canoa Quebrada Tour from Fortaleza - With Transportation, Guide and Buggy Ride: $100
  • Full-Day Guided Tour in Jericoacoara from Fortaleza: $100

Tours and Activities in Cuenca

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

  • 4-Day Magic Tour Cuenca, Alausi town, Baños, Quilotoa, Cotopaxi and Quito: $675
  • 5-Day Rock Climbing Tour in Cojitambo, Paute, Girón, Cajas and Sayausi: $400
  • 5-Day Trekking Rock, Climbing, Canyoning and Paragliding Tour: $474
  • BIKE TOUR "Descent of The Andes": $59
  • Baños Private Guided 4-day tour from Cuenca: $691
  • Biking Cuenca City Tour: $45
  • Biking and Walking City Tour Cuenca: $30
  • Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
  • Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
  • Birdwatching Tour in Giron and Yunguilla Jocotoco Reserve from Cuenca: $129
  • Birdwatching Tour in Tamarindo Tropical Forest area from Cuenca: $130
  • Birdwatching Tour in Via Sigsig,Chiguinda from Cuenca: $130

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fortaleza $8.18
    Cuenca $11

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Cuenca, we can see that Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fortaleza than you might in Cuenca.

Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Recife vs. Fortaleza
Recife vs. Cuenca
Fortaleza vs. Puerto Iguazu
Fortaleza vs. Mar del Plata
Fortaleza vs. La Plata
Fortaleza vs. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Fortaleza vs. Asuncion
Fortaleza vs. Salto
Fortaleza vs. Punta del Este
Fortaleza vs. Piriapolis
Fortaleza vs. Montevideo
Fortaleza vs. Colonia del Sacramento
Fortaleza vs. Sao Paulo
Fortaleza vs. Salvador
Fortaleza vs. Rio de Janeiro
Fortaleza vs. Ilha Grande
Fortaleza vs. Foz do Iguacu
Fortaleza vs. Florianopolis
Fortaleza vs. Curitiba
Fortaleza vs. Brasilia
Fortaleza vs. Buzios
Fortaleza vs. Quito
Fortaleza vs. Montanita
Fortaleza vs. Guayaquil
Fortaleza vs. Galapagos Islands
Fortaleza vs. Banos
Fortaleza vs. Manaus
Fortaleza vs. Tena
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Fortaleza vs. Cuenca Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.