A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tena vs. Huaraz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tena or Huaraz?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tena and Huaraz can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Tena or Huaraz?

Tena

Tena is the capital of the Napo Province, an attractive and quiet city in the Amazon rainforest, and is known as the "cinnamon capital" of Ecuador. Tena has a friendly population, lots of backpacker infrastructure, a gorgeous setting surrounded by jungle-covered hills and a high concentration of surrounding rivers where white-water lovers from around the world come to paddle and kayak. The town provides a gateway to exploration into Ecuador's most accessible part of the great Amazon rainforest, which does not leave visitors disappointed. Beyond being a base for discovering the jungle and its wildlife, Tena is also a hub for adventure sports which are abundant in the area. Tena is a charming place where many travelers find themselves hanging around quite happily before or after a trip into the rainforest.

Huaraz

Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Colombia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bogota, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Huaraz or Tena?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tena is $50, while the average daily cost in Huaraz is $50. 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 Tena and Huaraz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tena $23
    Huaraz $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tena $46
    Huaraz $40
Compare Hotels in Tena and Huaraz

Looking for a hotel in Tena or Huaraz? 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.

Hotels in Tena


Hotels in Huaraz


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: Huaraz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tena $16
    Huaraz $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tena

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tena:

  • Private Transfer from Villavieja to San Agustín: $150
  • Popayan to Cali Private Transfer: $272
  • Round trip transfer in Private Car from-to Palonegro Airport(BGA) to Bucaramanga: $29
  • Roundtrip transfer Private Car Medellin airport (MDE)- Guatape: $68
  • San Andres hotels to San Andres Airport (ADZ) Departure Transfer: $36
  • Transfer in Private Car from Bucaramanga Palonegro Airport (BGA) to Bucaramanga: $15
  • Transfer in Private Car from Medellin ariport (MDE)- Guatape: $34
  • Transfer in private minivan Medellin airport (MDE)- Guatape: $42

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.18

Is it cheaper to fly into Tena or Huaraz?

Prices for flights to both Huaraz and Tena 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Tena $15
    Huaraz $18

Typical Food Prices in Huaraz

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:


  • Lunch
    $5.99
  • Chips
    $1.50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tena $14
    Huaraz $20

Tours and Activities in Tena

Here are a few actual costs in Tena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Full Day Adventure to the Páramo de Ocetá from Mongui: $20
  • Colonial Guaduas Tour: $43
  • Unique experience flying paragliding: $50
  • Gastronomic Private Walking Tour in Popayán: $50
  • Popayan Gastronomic Wonders and City Tour: $63
  • Private Guided Tour to Piedra Colgada and Indian Face and Lagoon: $75
  • Coffee Tour Daytrip at Finca La Manchuria - Exclusive Experience.: $80
  • Tour to Puracé National Natural Park: $93
  • ATV Tour Bogotá : $120
  • Full Day Tour to Rock Paintings in Cerro Azul Guaviare: $130
  • Scuba Diving Private Tour in San Andres: $132
  • Enjoy a Coffee Tour & Santa Fe de Antioquia Colonial Town!!: $135

Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz

Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Climbing Gear
    $17

Tours and Activities in Huaraz

Here are a few actual costs in Huaraz for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Traditional Picante de Cuy Gastronomy Tour in Huaraz: $15
  • 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
  • Glacier Pastoruri and Puya Raimondi Full Day Tour: $28
  • Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $30
  • From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
  • From Tour to Llanganuco Lakes (Chinancocha Lake): $37
  • From Tour to Archeological Complex of Chavin: $38
  • Lake 69 Full-Day Hiking Tour from Huaraz: $40
  • Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
  • From Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $46
  • From Chavín de Huantar fullday tour: $56
  • Huaraz Private City Tour: $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tena $10
    Huaraz $15


When comparing the travel costs between Tena and Huaraz, we can see that Huaraz is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tena Expensive? and Is Huaraz Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tena or Huaraz?

Huaraz has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Tena. When comparing the sizes of Tena and Huaraz, 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.