Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Santa Elena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena 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: Santa Elena or Cuenca?
Santa Elena
Santa Elena is a cute town, and the closest to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. It's one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica, and is a great place to experience the cloud forest and see some of country's unique wildlife.
In the Monteverde Cloud Forest you have a good chance of seeing rare quetzals which are the national bird of Costa Rica. Other common animals include white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, orange-kneed tarantulas, any of 8-9 species of hummingbirds, and sloth.
Santa Elena is about 1,400 meters above sea level and has a humid and damp environment. The average yearly temperature is 64 degrees Fahrenheit and the average rainfall is 3,000 millimetres. Humidity can be anywhere between 74% and 97%.
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 G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Elena $92Cuenca $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Elena is $92, 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 Santa Elena and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Elena $55Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Elena $110Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Santa Elena and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Santa Elena 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: Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Elena $11Cuenca $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Elena
Also for Santa Elena, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Direct transfer from Monteverde to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $180
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde - Liberia: $276
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde to Samara : $269
- Peñas Blancas to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Private Transfer From Monteverde To La Fortuna From 1 to 6 passengers: $270
- Private Transfer Lake crossing from Monteverde To Arenal From 1 to 6 passengers: $249
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 Santa Elena or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Santa Elena 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 daySanta Elena $24Cuenca $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Elena
For Santa Elena, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Night Walk in Monteverde with Dinner Included: $55
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.Santa Elena $30Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Santa Elena
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Elena.
- Wildlife Tour in Curicancha : $25
- Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour: $26
- Adventure Day - Outdoor activities for Family and Friends Special Package.: $29
- Monteverde: Kinkajou Forest Night Walking Tour: $30
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Tour: $30
- Kinkajou Night Walk Tour: $30
- CuriCancha Reserve Admission Ticket: $33
- Curicancha Birdwatching Tour: $34
- Night Adventures in Monteverde: $35
- Natural History Tour - Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve: $35
- Authentic experience of Coffee, Cane and Caco inside the forest: $37
- Regular Guided tour Monteverde Reserve: $38
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $48
- Azuay: San Bartolomé, Gualaceo, and Chordeleg Artisanal Tour: $63
- Biking Cuenca City Tour: $50
- Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
- Birdwatching Tour in Giron and Yunguilla Jocotoco Reserve from Cuenca: $150
- Birdwatching Tour, Via Gualaceo to the Eastern slope from Cuenca: $130
- Cañari Bike Tour: $96
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $49
- Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $49
- Cajas National Park and Cuenca City private Tour: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Elena $6.22Cuenca $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Elena and Cuenca, we can see that Santa Elena is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena or Cuenca in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Santa Elena as well as Cuenca. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Santa Elena receives a lot of rain in the summer. Santa Elena usually gets more rain in July than Cuenca. Santa Elena gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Santa Elena is generally a little warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Santa Elena average around 28°C (82°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySanta Elena 28°C (82°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Cuenca in the Autumn?
Both Cuenca and Santa Elena are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena. In October, Santa Elena usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Santa Elena gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Santa Elena is much warmer than Cuenca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santa Elena averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Cuenca fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSanta Elena 27°C (81°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Cuenca in the Winter?
Both Cuenca and Santa Elena during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
Santa Elena usually gets less rain in January than Cuenca. Santa Elena gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Cuenca can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Santa Elena is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santa Elena in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Cuenca averages at about 4°C (39°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySanta Elena 27°C (81°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Cuenca in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Elena and Cuenca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Santa Elena usually receives less rain than Cuenca. Santa Elena gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Santa Elena is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Santa Elena average around 29°C (85°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSanta Elena 29°C (85°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Santa Elena
| Santa Elena | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.