Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Hvar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hvar 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 Hvar 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: Hvar or Cuenca?
Hvar
Hvar is a Croatian island full of mountains, vegetation, beaches, vineyards, shops, restaurants, and also people! Hvar Town is the main city on the island, but there are many other small villages throughout. The best time to visit Hvar is between May and September, although keep in mind it can get busy during this period.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Croatia, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Hvar Prices
Croatia PricesCuenca Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHvar $234Cuenca $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Hvar is $234, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $53. 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 Hvar and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHvar $91Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHvar $182Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Hvar and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Hvar 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: Hvar Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hvar $57Cuenca $11
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:
- Cuenca Airport Transfer: $13
- Shared transfer from Airport to Hotel: $50
- Cuenca to/from Guayaquil Private Transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Hvar or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Hvar 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 dayHvar $108Cuenca $26
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
- Cuenca Table Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $43
- Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
- Cuenca Table Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- 4h Cooking Class in Cuenca with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $75
- 4h Cooking Class in 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $86
- Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour from Cuenca): $112
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hvar $21Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Hvar
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hvar are as follows:
- Hvar Self Guided Tour of the City Made by a Harbour: $7.99
- Self-Guided Walking Tour of Hvar’s Historical Old Town: $15
- 1-Hour Battle Archery Game in Hvar Adventure Park: $23
- Private Multi-Activity Experience in Adventure Park Hvar Jelsa: $26
- 1-Hour Private Paintball Adventure in Park Hvar Jelsa: $31
- Stand Up Paddle school - learn to SUP and make your first SUP tour: $34
- Sunset Boat Tour with unlimited wine,drinks & Music at Stari Grad: $46
- Timeless Old Town Walking Tour with Local Guide: $46
- Private Half-Day Kayak Experience in Hvar and Pakleni Islands: $58
- Lavender Fields & Villages: Private E-Bike Tour with Swim Stop: $70
- Experience Romantic Sunset Sailing on a modern 36ft (11m) sail yacht | Hvar: $74
- Boat Tour at Delfina Hvar: $83
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca-Ec- Highlights City Tour: $16
- Chocolate Sightseeing Tour with Hands-On Class: $20
- Cuenca Chocolate Tour With Practical Class: $20
- Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $35
- Walking Tour Through The Historic Center Of Cuenca: $35
- Pumapungo Museum Guided Tour: $35
- Half-Day City Tour including Panama Hat Factory: $35
- Tour of the best of Cuenca, walking through its Historic Center: $35
- Rivers Bike Tour with Artisan Ice Cream Stop: $37
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
- Cuenca Urban Adventure: Streets, Views & Local Stories: $41
- El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHvar $22Cuenca $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Hvar
Also in Hvar, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting Round Trip from Hvar Family Winery at a Hilltop: $89
- Private Hvar Island Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $112
- Exclusive Hvar Wine Tour with Scenic Views and Local Wines: $171
- Private Hvar Wine Tasting Tour: $194
- Stari Grad Private Tuk Tuk Tour with Wine Tasting: $251
- The Best of Hvar Small Group with Wine Tasting and Local meal: $291
- From Split: Private Blue Lagoon & Pakleni with Wine Tasting: $2,567
Sample the Local Flavors in Cuenca
Also in Cuenca, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cuenca Pub Crawl: Pub Crawl with Drinks and Free Club Entry: $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hvar and Cuenca, we can see that Hvar is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hvar is in Europe and Cuenca is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Hvar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hvar 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 Hvar Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hvar or Cuenca?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Hvar. When comparing the sizes of Hvar 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 Hvar or Cuenca?
Hvar 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 Hvar or Cuenca in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hvar and Cuenca. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hvar this time of year. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Hvar is a little warmer than Cuenca in the summer. The daily temperature in Hvar averages around 26°C (80°F) in July, and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In July, Hvar usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Hvar gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHvar 26°C (80°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Hvar or Cuenca in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hvar as well as Cuenca. Many travelers come to Hvar for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
In the autumn, Hvar is a little warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hvar in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Cuenca averages at about 12°C (54°F).
Hvar usually gets more rain in October than Cuenca. Hvar gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHvar 18°C (64°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Hvar or Cuenca in the Winter?
Both Cuenca and Hvar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Hvar in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Cuenca can be very cold during winter. In January, Hvar is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Hvar average around 8°C (47°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
In January, Hvar usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Hvar gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHvar 8°C (47°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Hvar or Cuenca in the Spring?
Both Cuenca and Hvar during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Hvar for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
Hvar is a little warmer than Cuenca in the spring. The daily temperature in Hvar averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Hvar usually gets more rain in April than Cuenca. Hvar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHvar 15°C (59°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Hvar
| Hvar | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (47°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (48°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (74°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (80°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (49°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.