Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or San Ignacio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Ignacio or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Ignacio 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 Ignacio or Cuenca?
San Ignacio
So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.
You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.
This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!
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 Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Ignacio $72Cuenca $42
The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $72, 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 San Ignacio and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Ignacio $19Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Ignacio $38Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in San Ignacio and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in San Ignacio 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: San Ignacio Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Ignacio $3.11Cuenca $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:
- From Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala: $20
- San Ignacio Hotel to Belize City Transfer: $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
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Cuenca: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into San Ignacio or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and San Ignacio 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 daySan Ignacio $21Cuenca $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.
- Xunantunich & Food Tour with local chocolate experience: $150
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
- Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour from Cuenca): $112
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Ignacio $100Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Xunantunich Maya Site with Local Tour guide: $65
- Xunantunich & Adventure Horse Ride: $75
- Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour from San Ignacio: $75
- Half-Day Cave Canoeing Adventure: $75
- From Xunantunich Mayan Tour & Optional Combos: $75
- Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $80
- Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
- Farm Ride plus Xunantunich tour: $90
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $90
- Xunantunich horseback riding tour: $100
- Full-Day Mountain Pine Ridge Tour from San Ignacio with Lunch: $100
- Private Tour:Xunantunich Mayan Ruin from San Ignacio: $103
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca, Ecuador Half-Day City Shared Tour: $25
- Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
- Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $30
- Private Cuenca City Tour including Turi Viewpoint: $40
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
- El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
- Experience Historical City Tour: $44
- City Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Cuenca, Ecuador Half-Day City Tour: $46
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $48
- Cuenca City Tour: $48
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Ignacio $17Cuenca $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Ignacio and Cuenca, we can see that San Ignacio is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Ignacio is in Central America 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 Ignacio would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Ignacio 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 Ignacio Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Ignacio or Cuenca?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of San Ignacio. When comparing the sizes of San Ignacio 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 Ignacio or Cuenca?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit San Ignacio or Cuenca in the Summer?
Both Cuenca and San Ignacio are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Ignacio 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 Ignacio. In July, San Ignacio usually receives more rain than Cuenca. San Ignacio gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
San Ignacio is a little warmer than Cuenca in the summer. The daily temperature in San Ignacio averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Ignacio 28°C (82°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Cuenca in the Autumn?
Both Cuenca and San Ignacio during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Ignacio because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. San Ignacio usually gets more rain in October than Cuenca. San Ignacio gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, San Ignacio is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Ignacio in October average around 26°C (80°F), and Cuenca averages at about 12°C (54°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Ignacio 26°C (80°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Cuenca in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Ignacio and Cuenca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Ignacio year-round. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
San Ignacio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, San Ignacio usually receives more rain than Cuenca. San Ignacio gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The weather in Cuenca can be very cold. In January, San Ignacio is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in San Ignacio average around 24°C (74°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Ignacio 24°C (74°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Cuenca in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Ignacio as well as Cuenca. San Ignacio attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
San Ignacio usually gets more rain in April than Cuenca. San Ignacio gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
San Ignacio is much warmer than Cuenca in the spring. The daily temperature in San Ignacio averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Ignacio 27°C (80°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and San Ignacio
| San Ignacio | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.