Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Kota Kinabalu?
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 Kota Kinabalu or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu 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: Kota Kinabalu or Cuenca?
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu, originally Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah, which is on the northern part of the island of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu is located just between the western side of the island and Tambunan Rafflesia Forest Reserve. Most of Kota Kinabalu's historic buildings were destroyed by bombing during World War II, so the city had to be rebuilt. KK, as it's commonly called, is a compact, but booming town today, with its new shopping centers, seaside condominiums, and bustling marketplaces.
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 Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesCuenca Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Cuenca $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, 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 Kota Kinabalu and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu 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: Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Cuenca $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $13
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Borneo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $77
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $53
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $30
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
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
- Cuenca to/from Guayaquil Private Transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Kota Kinabalu 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 dayKota Kinabalu $30Cuenca $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $29
- Beringgis Mangove Fireflies, Sunset Tour & Dinner: $33
- Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies: $55
- Kawa Mangrove Cruise & Fireflies with Dinner: $67
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Taste Of Borneo Cooking Class: $95
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $138
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $187
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
- Experience Ecuador: Join an Andean Cooking Class in Cuenca: $85
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Bongawan Proboscis and Fireflies Cruise Tour: $32
- Sail and Catch Boat fishing Tour of the Coast of Kota Kinabalu: $41
- Night Glow Stand Up Paddle Experience in Kota Kinabalu: $44
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Mangrove Kayaking Experience in Borneo: $47
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies : $49
- Sabah: Manukan and Sapi Islands Excursion Ticket: $50
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Private Guided E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $54
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $55
- Pulau Sapi & Manukan Sabah Shared Activity Adventure: $57
- Klias Wildlife Safari River Cruise from Kota Kinabalu: $58
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
- Half-Day Biking and Walking Tour in Cuenca: $30
- Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $35
- Tour of the best of Cuenca walking through its Historic Center: $35
- Half-Day City Tour including Panama Hat Factory: $35
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $39
- El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
- Cuenca Your Way Exclusive Private City Tour: $45
- City Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $47
- Wonderful Cajas National Park tour from Cuenca: $48
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Cuenca $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Cuenca, we can see that Kota Kinabalu is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kota Kinabalu is in Asia 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 Kota Kinabalu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Cuenca?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu or Cuenca?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Cuenca in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Cuenca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally a little warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Cuenca in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Cuenca. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in October than Cuenca. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Cuenca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Cuenca fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Cuenca in the Winter?
Both Cuenca and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Cuenca. In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Cuenca averages at about 4°C (39°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Cuenca in the Spring?
Both Cuenca and Kota Kinabalu during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in April than Cuenca. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 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.