Which place is cheaper, Ensenada or Cuenca?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Cuenca or Ensenada?
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 Cuenca and Ensenada. 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: Cuenca or Ensenada?
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.
Ensenada
Ensenada is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, south of Tijuana. It's the only deep water port in the state of Baja California and as such, it is an important commerical fishing port as well as a cruise ship destination. The city has a population of almost 500,000 and is located just 78 miles south of San Diego. The city sits between the ocean and a small mountain range. The surrounding area is known for its wine production, which produces some of the best wine in Mexico.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.
-
Cuenca Prices
Ecuador PricesEnsenada Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCuenca $53Ensenada $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Cuenca is $53, while the average daily cost in Ensenada is $115. 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 Cuenca and Ensenada in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCuenca $13Ensenada $42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCuenca $26Ensenada $84
Compare Hotels in Cuenca and Ensenada
Looking for a hotel in Cuenca or Ensenada? 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 and Ensenada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cuenca $11Ensenada $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
-
Taxi Ride$2.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
- Cuenca Airport Transfer: $13
- Cuenca to/from Guayaquil Private Transfer: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ensenada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ensenada:
- Border and Tijuana Airport Transfers to Ensenada or Valle de Guadalupe: $125
Is it cheaper to fly into Cuenca or Ensenada?
Prices for flights to both Ensenada and Cuenca 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 dayCuenca $26Ensenada $61
Typical Food Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:
-
Lunch$10
-
Snacks$5.00
-
Empanada$1.50
-
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ensenada
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ensenada.
- Mexican Cooking Class at Hacienda Eco-Domes | Valle de Guadalupe: $84
- Tacos and Margaritas Food Tour in Ensenada Mexico: $85
- Cooking Class and Margarita Madness at Valle de Guadalupe : $89
- Surprises, Delights and Joys Ensenada Wine, Mezcal, and Food Tour: $100
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cuenca $16Ensenada $9.79
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
- Half-Day Biking and Walking Tour in Cuenca: $30
- Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $35
- Tour of the best of Cuenca walking through its Historic Center: $35
- Half-Day City Tour including Panama Hat Factory: $35
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $39
- El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
- Cuenca Your Way Exclusive Private City Tour: $45
- City Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $47
- Wonderful Cajas National Park tour from Cuenca: $48
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $48
Tours and Activities in Ensenada
Here are a few actual costs in Ensenada for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- La Bufadora Punta Banda Tour: $38
- La Bufadora Tour in Baja California: $42
- Las Cañadas Campamento Horseback Riding Experience: $44
- The Bufadora private Tour: $49
- Tacos, Brews and Views Tour : $50
- Full Day Private Tour or Guadalupe Valley Weekend: $52
- Tacos, Tequila, Cerveza - A Private Tour of Ensenada: $53
- Las Cañadas Canopy Tour in Ensenada: $53
- Valle de Guadalupe Adults Only Tour: $56
- Explore Ensenada with Private Car and Walking Tour: $65
- Private Massage Experience in Ensenada: $65
- Las Canadas Ecopark and Bufadora private tour : $70
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCuenca $14Ensenada $9.98
Sample the Local Flavors in Ensenada
Also in Ensenada, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tasting Experience in Maglén: $27
- Tractor Pull Around Vineyards and Wine Tasting Tour: $56
- Private Ensenada Tacos and Wine Tour : $109
- Valle de Guadalupe Wine Experience: Wine Tastings Included: $112
- Valle de Guadalupe COUPLES wine tasting for 2: $135
- wine tours and driver service through valle de guadalupe, Ensenada B.C. Mexico: $145
- Pvt Wine Tastings + Cheese Store + Massage Shore Excursion: $149
- Wine Tasting Tour ONLY for Cruise Ship Visitors. ALL INCLUSIVE!: $221
- Private and custom group Wine tour Valle de Guadalupe : $238
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cuenca and Ensenada, we can see that Ensenada is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cuenca is in South America and Ensenada is in North 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 Ensenada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ensenada 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 Cuenca Expensive? and Is Ensenada Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cuenca or Ensenada?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Ensenada. When comparing the sizes of Cuenca and Ensenada, 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.
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.