Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Rotterdam?
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 Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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: Rotterdam or Cuenca?
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands and has the largest port in Europe. It's famously known as a city of architecture. In a few square kilometers of the city center you can get a complete overview of twentieth century architecture within Rotterdam.
Rotterdam is a very diverse, international, and hard working city. Nearly half of the city's population is not native to the Netherlands or have at least one parent from outside the country. Muslim's make up a significant portion of the population. Other area's represented include Cape Verde and the Dutch Antilles.
There's an air of optimism that permeates the entire city. There are frequent events, festivals and performances, making Rotterdam an enjoyable place to spend some time. Water is also an integral part of the city design.
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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Rotterdam Prices
Netherlands PricesCuenca Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRotterdam $224Cuenca $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Rotterdam is $224, 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 Rotterdam and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRotterdam $90Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRotterdam $180Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Rotterdam and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Rotterdam 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: Rotterdam Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rotterdam $31Cuenca $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotterdam
Also for Rotterdam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Amsterdam: Private Transfer from Or To Schiphol Airport: $63
- Private Direct Transfer From Rotterdam to Vlissingen cruise port: $230
- Private Minivan Transfer from Rotterdam : $286
- Private Rotterdam Cruise Port Departure Transfer to AMS Schiphol Airport : $188
- Private Rotterdam Cruise Port Departure Transfer to Amsterdam: $188
- Private Transfer From Cruise Port Rotterdam to Schiphol Airport: $170
- Private Transfer From Rotterdam to Amsterdam (Schiphol Airport): $296
- Private Transfer from Cruise Port Rotterdam to Amsterdam: $171
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Airport (RTM) to Rotterdam Port: $92
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam City to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: $226
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Amsterdam hotels: $183
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Port to Amsterdam Airport (AMS): $183
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 Rotterdam or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Rotterdam 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 dayRotterdam $109Cuenca $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotterdam
For Rotterdam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Rotterdam Food Tour: Taste The Alternative Side Of The City: $79
- Guided Food Tour: $81
- Historic Delfshaven: Lunch or Dinner with a Private Chef: $88
- Rotterdam City Center Food Tour: $89
- Food Tour by Bike: $105
- Guided Walking Food Tour: $105
- Biking Rotterdam Food Tour with Local Guide: $106
- Walking Rotterdam Food Tour: $106
- Private Walking Food Tour of Rotterdam: $131
- Rotterdam Private 2-Hour Food Tour with Tastings: $176
- Private Food Tour in Rotterdam Taste the Future: $286
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.Rotterdam $37Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Rotterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rotterdam.
- Rotterdam 2-Hour Walking Tour | Discover The City With A Local: $3.56
- Rotterdam Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.86
- Breda Fun Puzzle Quest: True Lord Self-Guided Tour: $5.94
- Explore Gouda with Self-Guided GPS and Audio Tour: $8.29
- Rotterdam Spy Mission: Save the City Exploration Game and Tour: $8.68
- Delfshaven Self-Guided Tour: A Guide to Rotterdam’s Old Town: $9.99
- Self-Guided Walking Tour of Gouda: Canals, Colonies, and Cheese: $9.99
- Art, History and Architecture Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Rotterdam's Highlights and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Pub Trail Dordrecht: an adventure full of surprises: $13
- 1-day RET Public Transport Ticket: $14
- Trompenburg Botanical Gardens Entry Ticket: $15
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 dayRotterdam $22Cuenca $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Rotterdam
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rotterdam:
- Beer Brewery 'Noordt' Beer Tasting: $9.40
- Stadshaven Brewery Tour with Beer Tastings: $15
- Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $20
- Brewery Noordt Tour Including Two Beers: $20
- The Ultimate Rotterdam Bar Crawl Experience: $41
- Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $53
- Ludwig's Private Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $582
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rotterdam and Cuenca, we can see that Rotterdam is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rotterdam is in Europe 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 Rotterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Cuenca?
Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Cuenca?
Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Cuenca in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Cuenca. The summer months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
In July, Rotterdam is generally cooler than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Cuenca. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 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 JulyRotterdam 17°C (62°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Cuenca in the Autumn?
Both Cuenca and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Rotterdam is cooler than Cuenca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Cuenca fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In October, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 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 OctoberRotterdam 11°C (51°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Cuenca in the Winter?
Both Cuenca and Rotterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
Cuenca can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Rotterdam. In the winter, Rotterdam is much colder than Cuenca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rotterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Cuenca averages at about 4°C (39°F).
Rotterdam usually gets more rain in January than Cuenca. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 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 JanuaryRotterdam 2°C (36°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Cuenca in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Cuenca. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the spring for the activities around the city. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Rotterdam is generally cooler than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In April, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 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 AprilRotterdam 8°C (46°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Rotterdam
| Rotterdam | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 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.