Which place is cheaper, Rotorua or Cuenca?
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 Cuenca or Rotorua?
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 Rotorua. 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 Rotorua?
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.
Rotorua
Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.
Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.
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Cuenca Prices
Ecuador PricesRotorua Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCuenca $53Rotorua $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Cuenca is $53, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is $114. 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 Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCuenca $13Rotorua $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCuenca $26Rotorua $96
Compare Hotels in Cuenca and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in Cuenca or Rotorua? 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 Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cuenca $11Rotorua $4.99
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotorua
Also for Rotorua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rotorua to Auckland Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Glow Worms: $194
Is it cheaper to fly into Cuenca or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua 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
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Food Meals for one dayCuenca $26Rotorua $50
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet: $98
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience - Haka + Dinner: $113
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience with Dinner: $116
- Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner: $156
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Combo - Tour, Dinner + Haka: $161
- Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with dinner: $202
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cuenca $16Rotorua $34
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Rotorua's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Lunch Out for Two$27
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mini Golf Experience: $12
- Jade Carving Experience at a Local Studio: $26
- Mountain Jade Highlights Tour: $27
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $28
- Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+: $29
- Geothermal Adults Only Mineral Bathing - Pavilion Pools Bathing Ticket: $30
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $33
- Authentic Kiwi Farm Experience at the Agrodome: $34
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley Entry Ticket: $38
- The National Kiwi Hatchery Kiwi Encounter Tour: $38
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley Ticket & Self-Guided Walk: $38
- Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCuenca $14Rotorua $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rotorua:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cuenca and Rotorua, we can see that Rotorua 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 Rotorua is in Pacific, 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 Rotorua would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotorua 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 Rotorua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cuenca or Rotorua?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Cuenca and Rotorua, 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 Cuenca or Rotorua?
Rotorua 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 Cuenca or Rotorua in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cuenca as well as Rotorua. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Cuenca is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cuenca in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.
Cuenca usually gets less rain in July than Rotoruain January. Cuenca gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCuenca 22°C (72°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Rotorua in the Autumn?
Both Rotorua and Cuenca are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.
In October, Cuenca is generally cooler than Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Cuenca average around 12°C (54°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In October, Cuenca usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Cuenca gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilCuenca 12°C (54°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Rotorua in the Winter?
Both Rotorua and Cuenca during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Cuenca in the winter. Cuenca is much colder than Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Cuenca averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.
Cuenca usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Cuenca gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyCuenca 4°C (39°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Rotorua in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cuenca and Rotorua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rotorua in the spring for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Cuenca is much colder than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cuenca in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.
In April, Cuenca usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rotoruain October. Cuenca gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberCuenca 10°C (50°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and Cuenca
| Cuenca | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.