Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Vientiane?
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 Vientiane or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Cuenca, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Vientiane or Cuenca?
Vientiane
You wouldn't expect the capital city to have such a relaxing environment, but in Vientiane, Laos you can sit back and take in the beautiful scenery without feeling pressure to see every little thing. With Vientiane, what you see is what you get.
While picturesque temples and markets line the streets, the city is still experiencing a successful building boom. Even the Presidential Palace has undergone some hefty renovations.
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 Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesCuenca Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Cuenca $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, 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 Vientiane and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane 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: Vientiane Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Cuenca $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
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 Airport Transfer: $13
- Cuenca to/from Guayaquil Private Transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Vientiane 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 dayVientiane $12Cuenca $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Vientiane classic Food tour ( Included Food ): $78
- Night Market, Dinner, and Nightclub: $90
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour and Lunch: $95
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
- Cooking Class Garden House: $335
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.Vientiane $3.80Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $30
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $30
- Art, Culture, & Inspiration Guided Half-Day Tour: $52
- Half-Day City Tour with Patuxai and Buddha Park: $52
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
- Vientiane Landmarks and Cultural Immersion Tour: $56
- Cultural Tour with Buddha Park and Patuxay: $58
- Vientiane IG tour & Patuxay monument: $59
- Half-Day City Tour - Morning or Afternoon: $65
- Vientiane Half Day City Tour: $80
- Vientiane : Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $88
- Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $89
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Cuenca $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Cuenca, we can see that Cuenca is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vientiane is in Asia 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 Vientiane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vientiane 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 Vientiane.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vientiane Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Cuenca?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane 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 Vientiane or Cuenca?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Vientiane or Cuenca in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Cuenca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Vientiane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Vientiane is a little warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vientiane in July average around 30°C (85°F), and Cuenca averages at about 22°C (72°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Cuenca in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Cuenca. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Vientiane usually gets more rain in October than Cuenca. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 28°C (83°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Cuenca in the Winter?
Both Cuenca and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Cuenca. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The weather in Cuenca can be very cold. Vientiane is much warmer than Cuenca in the winter. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Cuenca in the Spring?
Both Cuenca and Vientiane during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
Vientiane usually gets more rain in April than Cuenca. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vientiane in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Cuenca averages at about 10°C (50°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.