Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Veracruz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Veracruz or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Veracruz and Cuenca can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Veracruz or Cuenca?
Veracruz
Veracruz is the name of both a state and city in the country of Mexico. Locals often call the city "Puerto" (port) in order to differentiate the city from the state. The general area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses ruins, old colonial cities, lush green mountains, and delicious seafood.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVeracruz $122Cuenca $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Veracruz is $122, 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 Veracruz and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVeracruz $54Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVeracruz $108Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Veracruz and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Veracruz 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: Veracruz Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Veracruz $28Cuenca $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Veracruz
Also for Veracruz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Arrival Private Transfer: $14
- Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $28
- Shared Arrival Transfer: General Heriberto Jara International Airport to Veracruz Hotels: $23
- Transfer from Veracruz Airport to Hotel in Veracruz Port: $32
- Airport Transfer: $25
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 Veracruz or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Veracruz 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 dayVeracruz $50Cuenca $15
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.Veracruz $15Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Veracruz
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Veracruz.
- Hop-On Hop-Off Double-Decker Bus Tour: $7.87
- Panoramic Sightseeing Tour of Veracruz: $8.00
- San Juan de Ulua Fortress Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- San Juan de Ulua Fortress of Veracruz Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- Sightseeing City Tour and Aquarium: $22
- From Nature & Seafood Boat Tour to Madinga: $23
- 3-hour tour to the San Juan de Ulúa Fortress: $25
- Sightseeing City Tour and Wax & Ripley´s Museums: $25
- From San Juan de Ulua Prison Tour: $26
- Mandinga And Boat Trip Tour: $26
- Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark: Veracruz - Ticket: $27
- San Juan De Ulua Tour: $29
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 dayVeracruz $17Cuenca $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Veracruz and Cuenca, we can see that Veracruz is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Veracruz is in North 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 Veracruz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Veracruz 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 Veracruz Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Veracruz or Cuenca?
Veracruz has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Veracruz 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 Veracruz or Cuenca?
Veracruz 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 Veracruz or Cuenca in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Veracruz as well as Cuenca. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Veracruz is a little warmer than Cuenca in the summer. The daily temperature in Veracruz averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Veracruz receives a lot of rain in the summer. Veracruz usually gets more rain in July than Cuenca. Veracruz gets 410 mm (16.1 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 JulyVeracruz 27°C (81°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or Cuenca in the Autumn?
Both Cuenca and Veracruz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Veracruz is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Veracruz in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Cuenca averages at about 12°C (54°F).
It's quite rainy in Veracruz. In October, Veracruz usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Veracruz gets 131 mm (5.2 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 OctoberVeracruz 26°C (79°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or Cuenca in the Winter?
Both Cuenca and Veracruz during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
It's quite cold in Cuenca in the winter. In January, Veracruz is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Veracruz average around 21°C (71°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
Veracruz usually gets more rain in January than Cuenca. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 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 JanuaryVeracruz 21°C (71°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or Cuenca in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Veracruz and Cuenca. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Veracruz is much warmer than Cuenca in the spring. The daily temperature in Veracruz averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In April, Veracruz usually receives less rain than Cuenca. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 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 AprilVeracruz 26°C (78°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Veracruz
| Veracruz | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (71°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (71°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (74°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 410 mm (16.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 346 mm (13.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (76°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 27 mm (1.1 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.