Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Pokhara?
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 Pokhara or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pokhara and Cuenca can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pokhara or Cuenca?
Pokhara
Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is strategically located near the popular Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Circuit, or the "Apple Pie Trail", is a popular trek through the Annapurna Valley that makes a circular route through stunning mountainous landscapes. Several other trekking options can be found in this region, too. Many people use Pohkara as a place to prepare or recover from their recently completed treks because it is less intimidating than the larger city of Kathmandu.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Pokhara Prices
Nepal PricesCuenca Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPokhara $22Cuenca $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $22, 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 Pokhara and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPokhara $3.44Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPokhara $6.88Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Pokhara 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: Pokhara Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pokhara $6.71Cuenca $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
- Pokhara Airport Shuttles & Private Transfer: $15
- Pokhara Airport Transfer to hotels – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $20
- Pokhara to Kathmandu One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $80
- Pokhara to Kathmandu: Premium Private Car Transfer: $130
- Annapurna Foothills Day Hike With Transfers: $45
- Private Transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu: $120
- Transfer to Lower Mustang (Jomsom): $205
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
- Shared transfer from Airport to Hotel: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Pokhara 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 dayPokhara $12Cuenca $26
Typical Food Prices in Pokhara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:
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Dinner for Two$3.95
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Dessert (for 2)$2.64
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Pastries$1.32
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Dinner$5.60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pokhara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pokhara.
- Nepali cultural dinner night in Pokhara: $21
- Nepalese Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class (Cook with Delight): $25
- 2 hours Momo cooking class in Pokhara: $60
- 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75
- Tour with Dinner to Trout Fish Farm - Bhujung River: $98
- Organic Farm Tour and Cooking Class at Durku: $115
- Full-Day Pokhara Private Couples Romantic Getaway with Dinner: $300
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
- Cuenca Table Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $43
- Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
- 4h Cooking Class in Cuenca with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $75
- 4h Cooking Class in 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pokhara $6.39Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Pokhara
Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Pokhara to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Ticket Luxury Sofa: $8.40
- Pokhara to Chitwan Tourist Bus Sofa seater: $9.00
- Quick Devi’s Water Fall Tour: $9.26
- Bandipur to Chitwan Tourist Bus Ticket Luxury Sofa: $9.50
- Pokhara Places of Interest Tour by Sharing Bus: $10
- Sarangkot Sunrise & Private Full-Day Highlights Tour: $10
- Chitwan: to Kathmandu/Pokhara Tourist Bus luxurious Sofa: $12
- Kathmandu: to Chitwan By Luxurious Sofa Tourist Bus or Back: $12
- Group Joining Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour: $12
- Budget Unguided Tour By Sharing Bus: $12
- Bandipur to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Ticket Luxury Sofa: $13
- Tourist Bus: Chitwan to Pokhara or Pokhara to Chitwan: $14
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
- Chocolate Sightseeing Tour with Hands-On Class: $20
- Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $35
- Half-Day City Tour including Panama Hat Factory: $35
- Pumapungo Museum Guided Tour: $35
- Walking Tour Through The Historic Center Of Cuenca: $35
- Tour of the best of Cuenca, walking through its Historic Center: $35
- Rivers Bike Tour with Artisan Ice Cream Stop: $37
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
- Cuenca Urban Adventure: Streets, Views & Local Stories: $41
- El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
- Cuenca Your Way Exclusive Private City Tour: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPokhara $5.77Cuenca $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Cuenca
Also in Cuenca, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cuenca Pub Crawl: Pub Crawl with Drinks and Free Club Entry: $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Cuenca, we can see that Cuenca is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pokhara 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 Pokhara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pokhara 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 Cuenca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cuenca than you might in Pokhara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pokhara Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pokhara or Cuenca?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Pokhara 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.
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.