Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Leon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leon 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 Leon 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: Leon or Cuenca?
Leon
Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.
With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.
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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeon $59Cuenca $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Leon is $59, 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 Leon and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeon $16Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeon $32Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Leon and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Leon 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: Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leon $1.51Cuenca $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:
- Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.: $104
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Cuenca: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Leon or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Leon 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 dayLeon $12Cuenca $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leon.
- Tlakualli Food Tour: $19
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
- Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour from Cuenca): $112
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leon $5.81Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Leon
Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half Day Private Tour of Cerro Negro's Volcano Boarding: $35
- Leon City Walking Private Tour : $48
- Rum Tour & Chorotega Museum Experience: $62
- Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour" : $67
- Old Leon and Asososca Lagoon Private Tour: $82
- Volcano Boarding Private Tour : $84
- Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92
- Telica Sunset Tour : $93
- Horseback Riding Private Tour : $103
- Half-Day Leon City Tour: $135
- Somoto Canyon "Private Tour from Leon" : $154
- 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $163
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca, Ecuador Half-Day City Shared Tour: $25
- Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
- Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $30
- Private Cuenca City Tour including Turi Viewpoint: $40
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
- El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
- Experience Historical City Tour: $44
- City Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Cuenca, Ecuador Half-Day City Tour: $46
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $48
- Cuenca City Tour: $48
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeon $3.53Cuenca $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leon and Cuenca, we can see that Leon is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Leon is in Central America 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 Leon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Leon 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 Leon Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leon or Cuenca?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 92% larger than the population of Leon. When comparing the sizes of Leon 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 Leon 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 Leon or Cuenca in the Summer?
Both Cuenca and Leon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon 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 Leon. In July, Leon usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Leon gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Leon is a little warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leon in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Cuenca averages at about 22°C (72°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeon 27°C (81°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Leon or Cuenca in the Autumn?
Both Cuenca and Leon during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Leon 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 Leon. Leon usually gets more rain in October than Cuenca. Leon gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Leon is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 27°C (81°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeon 27°C (81°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Leon or Cuenca in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Leon and Cuenca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon year-round. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Leon usually receives less rain than Cuenca. Leon gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Cuenca can be very cold during winter. Leon is much warmer than Cuenca in the winter. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeon 26°C (79°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Leon or Cuenca in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Leon as well as Cuenca. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Leon usually gets less rain in April than Cuenca. Leon gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Leon is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leon in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Cuenca averages at about 10°C (50°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeon 29°C (84°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Leon
| Leon | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.