Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Mandeville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mandeville or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mandeville 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: Mandeville or Cuenca?
Mandeville
Mandeville is a small, quiet town in the mountains of Jamaica with a population of about 50,000. The town is situated on a plateau west of Kingston. It is the largest town in the parish of Manchester and the fifth largest urban center in the country.
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 Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandeville $81Cuenca $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandeville is $81, 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 Mandeville and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandeville $38Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandeville $76Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Mandeville 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.Mandeville $31Cuenca $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:
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Cuenca: $47
- Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.: $104
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Mandeville 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 dayMandeville $24Cuenca $15
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.Mandeville $8.31Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $48
- Azuay: San Bartolomé, Gualaceo, and Chordeleg Artisanal Tour: $63
- Biking Cuenca City Tour: $50
- Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
- Birdwatching Tour in Giron and Yunguilla Jocotoco Reserve from Cuenca: $150
- Birdwatching Tour, Via Gualaceo to the Eastern slope from Cuenca: $130
- Cañari Bike Tour: $96
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $49
- Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $49
- Cajas National Park and Cuenca City private Tour: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandeville $6.51Cuenca $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandeville and Cuenca, we can see that Mandeville is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mandeville is in Caribbean Islands 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 Mandeville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mandeville 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 Mandeville Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Cuenca?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Mandeville. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville 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 Mandeville 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 Mandeville or Cuenca in the Summer?
Both Cuenca and Mandeville during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mandeville because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
Mandeville usually gets more rain in July than Cuenca. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Mandeville is a little warmer than Cuenca in the summer. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMandeville 29°C (83°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or Cuenca in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Cuenca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Mandeville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Mandeville is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mandeville in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Cuenca averages at about 12°C (54°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMandeville 28°C (82°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or Cuenca in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Cuenca. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Mandeville usually gets more rain in January than Cuenca. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Cuenca. In January, Mandeville is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 26°C (79°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMandeville 26°C (79°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or Cuenca in the Spring?
Both Cuenca and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Mandeville is much warmer than Cuenca in the spring. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMandeville 26°C (80°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Mandeville
| Mandeville | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 104 mm (4.1 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.