Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Lombok?
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 Lombok or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lombok and Cuenca. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Lombok or Cuenca?
Lombok
Lombok is an island east of the well-tread Bali and west of lesser-developed Sumbawa. While Lombok is not as popular as its neighbor to the west, it is a great place to visit for that very reason. Less popularity means lower prices for accommodations, food, activities, and less-inundated tourist spots. Nonetheless, Lombok is rapidly developing in tourism, and the government is naming it and Sumbawa the number two tourism spots, following Bali.
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 Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Lombok Prices
Indonesia PricesCuenca Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLombok $59Cuenca $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $59, 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 Lombok and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLombok $28Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLombok $56Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Lombok 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: Lombok Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lombok $11Cuenca $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lombok
Also for Lombok, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: Airport To Senggigi/senggigi To Airport: $70
- Airport transfer from Lombok airport to Sembalun Rinjiani area: $60
- Eka Jaya Boat Transfer from Lombok to Serangan: $73
- Gili Trawangan, Air, or 1-Way Boat Transfer to Bali: $28
- Kuta Lombok Transfer: $12
- Lombok Airport Private Transfer by Car: $50
- Lombok Int Airport (LOP) to Lombok - Round Trip Private Transfer: $50
- Private Airport Lombok Transfers to or from Gili Islands: $32
- One way Private Airport Transfer To Mataram & Senggigi Area: $40
- Private Transfer International Airport Lombok (LOP) To Hotel: $17
- Private Transfer from Airport to or from Gili Asahan/ Gili Gede: $51
- Private Transfer from Batu Bolong to Lombok Airport (LOP): $67
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 to/from Guayaquil Private Transfer: $80
- Cuenca Airport Transfer: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Lombok or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Lombok 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 dayLombok $20Cuenca $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lombok
For Lombok, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Anggrek Putih Lombok Cooking Class : $25
- Kids Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $63
- Love and Legends: The Ultimate Romantic Dinner on the beach : $65
- Amazing Lombok BBQ Beach Sunset Dinner: $86
- Lombok Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $100
- Royal Dinner Experience in Lombok at Royal Tugudom: $119
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.Lombok $9.90Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Lombok
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lombok.
- Gili T Island: The Thrilling Sunset Snorkeling Adventure: $17
- Lombok Private Tour-Car Hire With Full day Customize Trip: $33
- Lombok Customize Tour with Private Driver: $35
- Lombok Private Custom Tour - Lombok Car Hire with Driver : $36
- Half-Day Mataram City Tour: $45
- Lombok Private Customize Tour: $45
- Lombok Customize Tour: $45
- Lombok White Water Rafting and Pura Lingsar Private Full Day Tour: $48
- Gili Nanggu Snorkeling Tour to a Tropical Paradise: $49
- Mataram Lombok Historical City tour: $49
- Lombok City Tour combination With Temple Tour : $49
- Benang Stokel, Benang Kelambu, Culture, & Beach Tour: $49
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
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $47
- Azuay Cuenca Ecuador Tour: $1,300
- Biking Cuenca City Tour: $50
- Birdwatching Tour Cajas Park and Tamarindo Tropical Forest area from Cuenca: $130
- Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
- Birdwatching Tour, Via Gualaceo to the Eastern slope from Cuenca: $130
- Cajas National Park FULL-DAY Tour from Cuenca: $55
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $39
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $48
- Cajas National Park and Cuenca City private Tour: $110
- Complete excursion Ingapirca & Gualaceo Chordeleg Tour Archaeological Artisanal: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLombok $7.84Cuenca $14
When comparing the travel costs between Lombok and Cuenca, we can see that Lombok is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Lombok is in Asia and Cuenca is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lombok Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lombok or Cuenca?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Lombok or Cuenca in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Cuenca. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Also, May to September in Lombok is the dry season. Lombok usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Cuenca. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Lombok is a little warmer than Cuenca in the summer. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLombok 26°C (79°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Cuenca in the Autumn?
Both Cuenca and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Lombok is November to April. It's quite rainy in Lombok. In October, Lombok usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Lombok is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lombok in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Cuenca averages at about 12°C (54°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLombok 28°C (82°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Cuenca in the Winter?
Both Cuenca and Lombok during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
Lombok usually gets more rain in January than Cuenca. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Cuenca can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Lombok is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLombok 28°C (82°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Cuenca in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Cuenca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
May to September in Lombok is the dry season. Also, November to April is the rainy season in Lombok. In April, Lombok usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Lombok is much warmer than Cuenca in the spring. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLombok 28°C (82°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Lombok
| Lombok | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 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.