Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Sendai?
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 Sendai or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai 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: Sendai or Cuenca?
Sendai
Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.
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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Sendai Prices
Japan PricesCuenca Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySendai $133Cuenca $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Sendai is $133, 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 Sendai and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSendai $61Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSendai $122Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Sendai and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Sendai 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: Sendai Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sendai $18Cuenca $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sendai
Also for Sendai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Odawara to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) -Departure Private Transfer: $103
- Private Transfer from Sendai Airport to Sendai City: $187
- Sendai City: Private transfer to/from Sendai Airport: $88
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 Sendai or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Sendai 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 daySendai $58Cuenca $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sendai
For Sendai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Local Food Tour in Shiogama, Japan Top Tuna and Sushi Town: $135
- Michinoku Coastal Trail Sake Tasting with Dinner: $143
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.Sendai $19Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Sendai
For Sendai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Catch and Dine A Gourmet Fishing Experience in Miyagi: $24
- Sendai and Matsushima Private Tour with Licensed Guide: $101
- Local Foodie Tour, wander around the gourmet town: $120
- Afternoon Cycling Tour in Naruko: $151
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 daySendai $11Cuenca $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sendai and Cuenca, we can see that Sendai is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sendai is in Asia 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 Sendai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sendai 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 Sendai Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sendai or Cuenca?
Sendai has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Sendai 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 Sendai or Cuenca?
Sendai 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 Sendai or Cuenca in the Summer?
Both Cuenca and Sendai during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sendai for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
Sendai is around the same temperature as Cuenca in the summer. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. Sendai usually gets more rain in July than Cuenca. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 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 JulySendai 23°C (73°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Sendai or Cuenca in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sendai and Cuenca. Many visitors come to Sendai in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Sendai is a little warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sendai in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Cuenca averages at about 12°C (54°F).
Sendai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sendai usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 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 OctoberSendai 15°C (59°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Sendai or Cuenca in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sendai as well as Cuenca. Most visitors come to Sendai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
The weather in Cuenca can be very cold. Sendai can be very cold during winter. In January, Sendai is generally much colder than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 2°C (35°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
Sendai usually gets more rain in January than Cuenca. Sendai gets 42 mm (1.7 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 JanuarySendai 2°C (35°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Sendai or Cuenca in the Spring?
Both Cuenca and Sendai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Sendai because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Sendai is around the same temperature as Cuenca in the spring. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 10°C (51°F) in April, and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In April, Sendai usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Sendai gets 94 mm (3.7 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 AprilSendai 10°C (51°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Sendai
| Sendai | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (35°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (35°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (51°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (69°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.