Should you visit Punta del Este or Cuenca?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este or Cuenca, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Punta del Este
Punta del Este with its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, pricey hotels, ardent night scene and glitzy restaurants is a chic beach resort town in Uruguay. Many tourists come from Brazil and Argentina, on the other side of the Rio de la Plata, to get some nice sun and lay on the beach for a weekend getaway. Punta del Este is more expensive than other areas in Uruguay and has been called the Monaco of South America. Tourist season varies wildly from totally deserted in the winter to very crowded in the summer.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Cuenca or Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $69, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $34. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Punta del Este and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Punta del Este can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $38, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $76.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $20 for a double occupancy room in Cuenca.
Food
The price of a meal in Punta del Este can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $21 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $8.40 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
Food in Cuenca costs travelers about $12 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Punta del Este $21
Cuenca $12
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.
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Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca:
$55
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Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour):
$95
Local Transportation
Punta del Este's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $15 per person, per day on transportation in Punta del Este.
The average price of local transportation around Cuenca is $8.60 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Arrival Transfer: Punta del Este Airport to Hotel:
$40
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Punta del Este Airport:
$40
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Private Transfer to Garzon Restaurant by Francis Mallmann:
$269
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Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer:
$45
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Punta del Este Wine Tour, Bodega Garzon, Private Transfer:
$338
Typical Local Transportation prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
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Private Transfer from Cuenca City Center to Madrid City Center:
$147
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Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.:
$83
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Arrival Private Transfer: Cuenca Airport CUE to Cuenca City by Minivan:
$74
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Departure Private Transfer: Cuenca City to Cuenca Airport CUE by Minivan:
$74
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Cuenca to Guayaquil Transfer in Fantasy Bus:
$25
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Cuenca to Alausi Transfer in Fantasy Bus:
$25
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Transfer In Cuenca Airport - Hotel:
$25
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Cuenca Airport Shuttle Transfer:
$19
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Cuenca Arrival Transfer:
$15
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Cuenca Departure Transfer:
$15
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Punta del Este 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Punta del Este can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $7.38 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Cuenca's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $13 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
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La Vista 360 Admission Ticket:
$10
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Punta del Este City Tour Clasico con Puesta del Sol en Casapueblo:
$25
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Punta del Este City Sightseeing Tour:
$33
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Art Studio Tour in Punta del Este:
$75
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Punta del Este City Tour:
$93
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Wine Lovers - Punta Wine Experience:
$150
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Punta del Este Special Art Tour:
$185
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Punta del Este Shore Excursion: Private Sightseeing Tour of Punta del Este:
$188
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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4-Day Magic Tour Cuenca, Alausi town, Baños, Quilotoa, Cotopaxi and Quito:
$675
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5-Day Rock Climbing Tour in Cojitambo, Paute, Girón, Cajas and Sayausi:
$400
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5-Day Trekking Rock, Climbing, Canyoning and Paragliding Tour:
$474
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BIKE TOUR "Descent of The Andes":
$59
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Baños Private Guided 4-day tour from Cuenca:
$691
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Biking Cuenca City Tour:
$45
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Biking and Walking City Tour Cuenca:
$30
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Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca:
$100
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Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca:
$100
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Birdwatching Tour in Giron and Yunguilla Jocotoco Reserve from Cuenca:
$129
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Birdwatching Tour in Tamarindo Tropical Forest area from Cuenca:
$130
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Birdwatching Tour in Via Sigsig,Chiguinda from Cuenca:
$130
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Punta del Este, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $5.41.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Cuenca may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $11 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta del Este
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta del Este:
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Wine Tasting from Punta del Este:
$128
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and Cuenca, we can see that Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punta del Este than you might in Cuenca.
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