Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Montevideo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montevideo 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 Montevideo 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: Montevideo or Cuenca?
Montevideo
As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $63Cuenca $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $63, 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 Montevideo and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontevideo $39Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $78Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Montevideo 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: Montevideo Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $7.32Cuenca $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 1 - way - Transfer from Carrasco Interational Airport to Montevideo: $51
- Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
- Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $98
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
- Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $29
- Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $120
- TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $80
- Transfer from Carrasco International Aiport to Montevideo: $45
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $20
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Montevideo 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 dayMontevideo $13Cuenca $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
- El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango & Folklore in Montevideo: $98
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
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montevideo $21Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
- Montevideo's Culture and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Museo Andes 1972 / Crash Memorial Admission Ticket: $8.00
- Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $13
- Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo : $25
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $25
- Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
- Walking Tour of the City of Montevideo (Spanish and/or Portuguese): $26
- Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers - AudioGuided: $26
- Shared Montevideo Tour for Cruisers: $30
- City Sightseeing Tour: $32
- Old City Walking Tour with Private Photographer: $33
- Walking Tour with Photographer and Audioguide: $33
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 dayMontevideo -Cuenca $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:
- Half Day Tour at Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $120
- Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
- Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Cuenca, we can see that Montevideo is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Montevideo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montevideo 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 Montevideo Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Cuenca?
Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo 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 Montevideo or Cuenca?
Montevideo 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 Montevideo or Cuenca in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montevideo as well as Cuenca. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
In January, Montevideo is generally around the same temperature as Cuencain July. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 24°C (75°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Montevideo usually gets more rain in January than Cuencain July. Montevideo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyMontevideo 24°C (75°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or Cuenca in the Autumn?
Both Cuenca and Montevideo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Montevideo is a little warmer than Cuenca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Cuenca fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Montevideo. In April, Montevideo usually receives more rain than Cuencain October. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberMontevideo 17°C (63°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or Cuenca in the Winter?
Both Cuenca and Montevideo during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
Cuenca can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Montevideo is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montevideo in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Cuenca averages at about 4°C (39°F)in January.
Montevideo usually gets more rain in July than Cuencain January. Montevideo gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMontevideo 11°C (52°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or Cuenca in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montevideo and Cuenca. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Montevideo is generally much warmer than Cuencain April. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 17°C (63°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Montevideo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montevideo usually receives more rain than Cuencain April. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilMontevideo 17°C (63°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Montevideo
| Montevideo | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°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.