Which place is cheaper, Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia?
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 Ushuaia. 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 Ushuaia?
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.
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador, The Best 3-Week Tours in Argentina, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires.
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Cuenca Prices
Ecuador PricesUshuaia Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCuenca $53Ushuaia $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Cuenca is $53, while the average daily cost in Ushuaia is $0.00. 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 Ushuaia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCuenca $13Ushuaia -
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCuenca $26Ushuaia $0.00
Compare Hotels in Cuenca and Ushuaia
Looking for a hotel in Cuenca or Ushuaia? 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 Ushuaia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cuenca $11Ushuaia -
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 Ushuaia
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Calafate: Airport Transfer: $12
- Low Cost Esmeralda Lagoon Round Trip Transfer: $30
- Low Cost Ushuaia Transfer from/to the airport: $16
- Navigation to Beagle Channel and Sea Lions Island with Transfers: $116
- Private Embarkation Debarkation Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia): $160
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia Cruise Port: $62
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Cruise Port to Ushuaia Airport(USH): $62
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Port to Ushuaia Airport (USH): $22
- Private Transfer to Cerro Castor from Ushuaia: $60
- Private Transfer to Ushuaia Airport (USH): $17
- Round Trip Transfer from the Airport to Ushuaia Hotels: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Cuenca or Ushuaia?
Prices for flights to both Ushuaia 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 $26Ushuaia -
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 Ushuaia
For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Adventure and Snow Moto + Buffet Lunch or Pizza Rodizio + Transfer: $96
- Beaver Sighting with Dinner off Lake Fagnano: $170
- Ushuaia City Tour: Vespertine Tour with Dinner: $189
- Snowmobile + Snowshoeing + Huskies + Skiing + Lunch or Pizza Buffet: $195
- Tierra del Fuego National Park PM - with Dinner included: $210
- Discovering Lakes Escondido and Fagnano with sunset dinner: $210
- Puerto Almanza and Punta Paraná Tour with Dinner: $210
- Tierra del Fuego National Park: vespertine tour with dinner: $210
- Snow and Fire with Dinner in Firepit, Sledge Ride and Snowmobile: $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cuenca $16Ushuaia -
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
Tours and Activities in Ushuaia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.
- Panoramic City Train Tour: $20
- Guided Tour of the City of Ushuaia: $21
- Double-Decker Sightseeing Tour: $23
- Exploring Double Decker Bus Tour: $28
- CITY TOUR USHUAIA+ MARTIAL GLACIER RESERVE VISIT: $28
- City Tour Ushuaia: $30
- USHUAIA | City Tour + Martial Glacier Reserve: $36
- Tierra del Fuego National Park Tour: $50
- LANDSCAPES AND DELIGHTS - CITY TOUR: $50
- End of the World Train Ticket: $55
- Urban Walking Tour with Yatana Forest Historic Site Visit: $55
- Experience in the Classic National Park in Ushuaia: $63
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCuenca $14Ushuaia -
Sample the Local Flavors in Ushuaia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ushuaia:
- Photo tour and Wine Tasting in Ushuaia City: $115
- City tour and Wine tasting: $115
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cuenca and Ushuaia, we can see that Cuenca is more expensive. And not only is Ushuaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ushuaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ushuaia 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 Cuenca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cuenca than you might in Ushuaia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cuenca Expensive? and Is Ushuaia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cuenca or Ushuaia?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ushuaia. When comparing the sizes of Cuenca and Ushuaia, 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 Ushuaia?
Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia in the Summer?
Both Ushuaia and Cuenca during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Cuenca is generally much warmer than Ushuaiain January. Daily temperatures in Cuenca average around 22°C (72°F), and Ushuaia fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Cuenca usually gets less rain in July than Ushuaiain January. Cuenca gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCuenca 22°C (72°F)Ushuaia 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Ushuaia in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cuenca and Ushuaia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
Cuenca is much warmer than Ushuaia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cuenca averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Ushuaia fluctuates around 6°C (43°F)in April.
In October, Cuenca usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ushuaiain April. Cuenca gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilCuenca 12°C (54°F)Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Ushuaia in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cuenca as well as Ushuaia. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Ushuaia can be very cold during winter. Cuenca can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Cuenca is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cuenca in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 2°C (36°F)in July.
Cuenca usually gets less rain in January than Ushuaiain July. Cuenca gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyCuenca 4°C (39°F)Ushuaia 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Ushuaia in the Spring?
Both Ushuaia and Cuenca are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
In April, Cuenca is generally much warmer than Ushuaiain October. Daily temperatures in Cuenca average around 10°C (50°F), and Ushuaia fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
In April, Cuenca usually receives more rain than Ushuaiain October. Cuenca gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberCuenca 10°C (50°F)Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Ushuaia and Cuenca
| Cuenca | Ushuaia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.