Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Wellington?
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 Wellington or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Wellington or Cuenca? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Wellington or Cuenca?
Wellington
Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Wellington Prices
New Zealand PricesCuenca Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWellington $124Cuenca $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Wellington is $124, 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 Wellington and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWellington $60Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWellington $120Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Wellington and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Wellington 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: Wellington Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Wellington $12Cuenca $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wētā Workshop Guided Transfers & Tour: $59
- Private Airport Transfer Service Vice Versa in Wellington by SUV: $75
- Private Large SUV Airport Transfers Wellington - Executive Travel: $58
- Private Transfer from Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington Port to Wellington Airport (WLG): $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $106
- Wellington Airport(WLG) to Wellington-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $156
- WLG Airport to City Private RoundTrip Transfer: $93
- Wētā Workshop Guided Tour Ticket + Transfer: $57
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 Wellington or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Wellington 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 dayWellington $51Cuenca $26
Typical Food Prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$8.87
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3 Hour Walking Food Tour: $125
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.Wellington $16Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Return Cable Car Ticket: $6.95
- Wellington Zoo General Entry Tickets: $15
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Atlantis: $27
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Temple: $27
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Spaceship: $27
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Entry Ticket: $28
- Wētā Workshop Guided Tour Ticket: $32
- Wētā Workshop Creative Classes Experience Ticket: $32
- Wētā Workshop Experiences Tour - Wellington: $33
- Axe Throwing Lesson and Tournament: $33
- Zealandia by Day Tour: $37
- Auckland: Wētā Workshop Unleashed Creative Classes Ticket: $38
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 dayWellington $12Cuenca $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $99
- From Martinborough Wine Tasting Tour: $168
- Exclusive Martinborough Wine Tour: $210
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $391
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wellington and Cuenca, we can see that Wellington is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wellington is in Pacific 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 Wellington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wellington 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 Wellington Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Wellington or Cuenca?
Wellington has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Wellington 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 Wellington or Cuenca?
Wellington 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 Wellington or Cuenca in the Summer?
Both Cuenca and Wellington during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
Wellington is cooler than Cuenca in the summer. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in July.
Wellington usually gets more rain in January than Cuencain July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 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 January and JulyWellington 18°C (64°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Cuenca in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Cuenca. The autumn months attract visitors to Wellington because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Wellington is a little warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wellington in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Cuenca averages at about 12°C (54°F)in October.
In April, Wellington usually receives more rain than Cuencain October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 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 April and OctoberWellington 15°C (58°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Cuenca in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Cuenca. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wellington this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Cuenca. In July, Wellington is generally much warmer than Cuencain January. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 10°C (49°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. Wellington usually gets more rain in July than Cuencain January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 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 July and JanuaryWellington 10°C (49°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Cuenca in the Spring?
Both Cuenca and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Wellington is a little warmer than Cuenca in the spring. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F)in April.
In October, Wellington usually receives more rain than Cuencain April. Wellington gets 93 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 October and AprilWellington 13°C (55°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Wellington
| Wellington | Cuenca | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.