A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Fernando vs. Cuenca for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Fernando or Cuenca?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Fernando or Cuenca, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: San Fernando or Cuenca?

San Fernando

As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Fernando and Cuenca, we can see that San Fernando is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Fernando 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 San Fernando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Fernando 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 San Fernando Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Fernando or Cuenca?

Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of San Fernando. When comparing the sizes of San Fernando 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 San Fernando 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 San Fernando or Cuenca in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to San Fernando as well as Cuenca. San Fernando attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.

San Fernando receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Fernando usually gets more rain in July than Cuenca. San Fernando gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

San Fernando is a little warmer than Cuenca in the summer. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Should I visit San Fernando or Cuenca in the Autumn?

Both Cuenca and San Fernando are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in San Fernando. In October, San Fernando usually receives more rain than Cuenca. San Fernando gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In the autumn, San Fernando is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Fernando in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Cuenca averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Should I visit San Fernando or Cuenca in the Winter?

Both Cuenca and San Fernando during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Fernando because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.

San Fernando usually gets more rain in January than Cuenca. San Fernando gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

The weather in Cuenca can be very cold. In January, San Fernando is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 26°C (78°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Should I visit San Fernando or Cuenca in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Fernando and Cuenca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Fernando year-round. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, San Fernando usually receives more rain than Cuenca. San Fernando gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

San Fernando is much warmer than Cuenca in the spring. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Typical Weather for Cuenca and San Fernando