Cuenca ended up being one of the easiest cities for our family to settle into during our full-time travel. We stayed for 28 nights with our two young daughters and quickly found ourselves slipping into a rhythm that felt less like traveling and more like everyday life.
Most mornings started with a walk to a local coffee shop before heading to one of the city’s playgrounds. We shopped for fresh produce at Mercado 10 de Agosto, cooked many of our meals at our Airbnb, wandered through the historic center, and used inexpensive Ubers or public buses whenever we wanted to explore somewhere farther away. When we wanted a bigger adventure, day trips to places like Cajas National Park and Girón Waterfalls were both easy to organize without renting a car or booking expensive tours.
One of the things that surprised us most about Cuenca was how little we felt pressured to spend money. Some of our favorite days were also our cheapest, such as walking through El Centro, letting the girls play for hours at Parque de la Madre, grabbing coffee, or simply exploring another neighborhood together. The city naturally encourages a slower pace, and that ended up making it one of the most affordable places we visited in Ecuador.
In total, our family travel costs in Cuenca, Ecuador came to $2,496.80 for 28 nights, averaging $89.17 per day for our family of four. Here’s exactly how that broke down. All amounts are listed in U.S. dollars.
Accommodation – $1,118.64 ($39.95 per Night)
Accommodation was our biggest expense during our month in Cuenca, but it also gave us incredible value for the price.
We rented an Airbnb for our entire 28-night stay, which allowed us to settle into a routine instead of constantly packing up and moving. Having a full kitchen meant we could cook most of our meals, a comfortable living space gave the girls room to play, and staying in one place helped us take advantage of Airbnb’s monthly discount.
Our total accommodation costs included:
- Airbnb: $1,068.64
- House cleaning (2 visits): $50.00
Total: $1,118.64
One thing we appreciated about staying in Cuenca was that we didn’t feel like we had to sacrifice comfort to stay on budget. We were able to find a family-friendly Airbnb in a safe neighborhood while still keeping our nightly accommodation cost under $40.
The extra cleanings were completely optional, but after several weeks of full-time family travel, having someone come in twice during our stay was well worth it. It gave us a chance to reset the apartment, catch up on work, and enjoy the rest of our month without worrying about deep cleaning.
If you’re planning to stay in Cuenca for several weeks or longer, I would highly recommend looking at monthly Airbnb rentals rather than booking by the night. The monthly discounts can make a significant difference and were one of the biggest reasons we were able to keep our family travel costs in Cuenca, Ecuador so affordable.
Eating Out – $301.20
Even though we had a full kitchen in our Airbnb and cooked most of our meals, we still made time to explore Cuenca’s cafés, bakeries, and local restaurants throughout our stay. Rather than eating out every day, we usually paired a coffee shop with a playground, grabbed breakfast while exploring a new neighborhood, or stopped for an easy dinner after a full day of sightseeing.
By cooking at home for most breakfasts and dinners, we were able to enjoy some of Cuenca’s best local restaurants without stretching our budget.
Here’s where we ate during our 28 nights in Cuenca:
- Fabiano’s Pizza – $73.79
We visited three times because it was close to our Airbnb, the pizzas were huge, and it was an easy family dinner after a long day exploring. - Coffee COR – $28.50
Our favorite coffee shop in Ecuador. We came back multiple times for the Tonka Latte, and it was worth every visit. - Café Nucallacta – $26.25
One of our favorite local breakfast spots, serving coffee, breakfast burritos, and sandwiches before heading out for the day. - Hot Wings Alitas – $19.00
Huge portions of wings and fries that made for an easy, affordable dinner. - Slow Brew Coffee Shop – $12.60
Great pour-over coffee and a relaxing atmosphere where the kids could take a break. - Wantuk Café – $13.71
Large drinks, smoothies for the girls, and a quiet garden setting that felt removed from the busy city streets. - Sinfonia – $15.50
A convenient stop near Parque de la Madre for coffee, pastries, and sandwiches before spending the afternoon at the playground. - Nevius Coffee – $14.50
One of the most beautiful cafés we visited in Cuenca, with incredible views overlooking the city. - Morlaco’s Tacos – $11.90
Small, flavorful street tacos that reminded us of Mexico City. - Toño Empanadas – $21.00
We stopped here twice for fresh empanadas that made an inexpensive lunch while exploring the city. - La Loma – $13.50
Lunch at Girón Waterfalls during our day trip. - Cafetería Jhuly – $10.70
Home to some of the best empanadas we had in Cuenca. - Café de la Cruz – $10.25
Our first coffee stop after arriving in Cuenca. - Roule – $5.25
A quick stop for fresh croissants. - Ganache – $6.75
Ice cream and apple pie after an afternoon exploring the city. - Panadería International – $2.50
Fresh bread while walking around downtown. - Golosinas Colonial – $13.50
Empanadas to enjoy after visiting Cajas National Park. - Bus Terminal Donut – $2.00
A less memorable day-old donut while waiting for our bus after arriving from Baños.
Although we enjoyed trying local restaurants, our spending shows the advantage of slow travel. Instead of eating every meal out like we might on vacation, we chose a few cafés and restaurants each week while preparing most of our meals at home. It allowed us to experience Cuenca’s food scene while keeping our restaurant spending to just over $10 per day for our family of four.
If you’re looking for more details about these cafés and restaurants, including our favorite coffee shops and family-friendly meals, read our complete guide to where to eat and drink coffee in Cuenca, Ecuador with kids.
Groceries – $648.07 ($23.15 per Day)
One of the biggest reasons we were able to keep our family travel costs in Cuenca, Ecuador so affordable was by cooking most of our meals at our Airbnb.
Rather than eating out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we built a routine that felt much more like everyday life. We’d stop by the market for fresh fruits and vegetables, make several trips to Supermaxi throughout the month, refill our drinking water, and pick up fresh bread from local bakeries as we needed it.
Our grocery spending broke down like this:
- Supermaxi – $527.02
This was where we bought the majority of our groceries. We made six shopping trips throughout the month for everything from meat and dairy to snacks, pantry staples, and household items. - Mercado 10 de Agosto – $102.55
We loved shopping at the local market for fresh fruits, vegetables, and bread. Besides being affordable, it became one of our favorite ways to experience everyday life in Cuenca. - Panadería International – $13.50
Fresh sourdough, chocolate bread, croissants, and other bakery items that we took back to the Airbnb. - 20L Drinking Water Refills – $5.00
Two large refillable water jugs kept us stocked for several days at a fraction of the cost of buying bottled water.
Total: $648.07
Shopping this way also made traveling with kids much easier.
Instead of trying to find a restaurant every time someone got hungry, we always had fruit, snacks, breakfast foods, and easy lunches waiting back at the apartment. It gave us more flexibility to enjoy a nice coffee shop or local restaurant when we wanted to, rather than because we had to.
Mercado 10 de Agosto quickly became one of our favorite places to shop. Walking through the produce stalls, seeing what was in season, and picking up ingredients alongside local families made grocery shopping feel like part of the travel experience instead of another errand.
Between the market and Supermaxi, we never had trouble finding everything we needed, and averaging just over $23 per day on groceries for a family of four played a major role in keeping our overall budget low.
Transportation – $124.08
Transportation in Cuenca was one of the biggest surprises of our stay. Getting around the city was inexpensive, and even our day trips outside of Cuenca cost far less than we expected.
Our transportation costs included arriving by bus from Baños, using Uber around the city, and taking public transportation to some of the area’s best attractions.
Here’s how it broke down:
- Bus from Baños to Cuenca – $46.00
We took the eight-hour bus from Baños to Cuenca, paying $11.50 per person. It was an easy and affordable way to continue our journey through Ecuador. - Public Bus to Cajas National Park Round Trip– $20.52
Instead of booking a tour, we took the public bus from Cuenca’s Terminal Terrestre to Cajas National Park. It was simple to navigate and saved us a significant amount compared to hiring private transportation. - Public Bus to Girón – $6.50
The bus to Girón was another inexpensive day trip that we highly recommend if you’re visiting the waterfalls. - Pickup Truck to El Chorro de Girón Round Trip from bus station – $11.00
After getting off the bus, we hired a local pickup truck taxi for the final six kilometers up the mountain to the waterfalls. It was quick, affordable, and part of the adventure. - Uber – $40.06
We used Uber throughout our stay for trips to the dentist, the bus station, Parque de la Madre, El Paraíso Park, dress shopping, and other destinations around the city.
One of the things we appreciated most about Cuenca was that we never felt the need to rent a car.
We walked whenever it made sense, called an Uber when we wanted to save time, and relied on Ecuador’s public bus system for longer trips outside the city. The combination made it easy to explore without worrying about parking, fuel, or navigating unfamiliar roads.
Even better, many of the best experiences in and around Cuenca, like Cajas National Park, Girón Waterfalls, Mercado 10 de Agosto, and the historic center, were either walkable, reachable by Uber for just a few dollars, or accessible by inexpensive public buses.
For families planning to spend several weeks in Cuenca, transportation is one area where you can comfortably keep costs low without feeling limited.
Tourist Attractions – $8.00
One of the reasons we loved spending a month in Cuenca was that you do not need to spend a lot of money to enjoy the city.
Many of our favorite experiences were completely free.
We spent afternoons at Parque de la Madre and El Paraíso Park, wandered through the historic center, explored Mercado 10 de Agosto, and simply enjoyed walking through different neighborhoods. Those slower days became some of our favorite memories and didn’t cost anything.
The only attraction we actually paid admission for during our month in Cuenca was El Chorro de Girón.
- El Chorro de Girón Waterfalls – $8.00
That covered admission for our family of four and gave us access to one of the most impressive waterfalls we visited in Ecuador. Considering the size of the waterfall and everything included in the park, we thought it was excellent value.
Even our trip to Cajas National Park didn’t require an entrance fee. We simply paid for transportation to get there, checked in at the ranger station, and spent the day hiking through one of Ecuador’s most beautiful national parks.
This is one of the things that makes Cuenca such an affordable destination for families. You can fill your days with playgrounds, markets, mountain hikes, public plazas, and scenic walks without constantly paying admission fees.
If you’re looking to stretch your travel budget while still giving your kids memorable experiences, Cuenca is one of the easiest cities we’ve found to do exactly that.
Miscellaneous – $34.25
Not every expense during a month of family travel fits neatly into categories like groceries or transportation. These are the small purchases that made everyday life in Cuenca a little easier or a little more enjoyable.
Here’s what was included:
- Airalo eSIM – $28.00
We use Airalo throughout our travels to stay connected as soon as we arrive in a new destination. Having reliable data makes it easy to navigate the city, call Ubers, look up bus schedules, and stay in touch with family back home. - Flowers for Valentine’s Day– $6.25
Sometimes the smallest purchases end up becoming some of your favorite memories. We picked up fresh flowers for Valentine’s Day.
Total: $34.25
One thing we’ve learned after traveling full-time is that there are always a few unexpected expenses each month. Whether it’s replacing something, buying a local SIM card, or picking up little comforts that make your stay more enjoyable, it’s worth leaving a little room in your budget for the miscellaneous purchases you can’t always predict.
Fortunately, even those extra expenses remained very affordable during our month in Cuenca.
Healthcare – $262.56
Healthcare was one category where we intentionally took advantage of our time in Cuenca.
Rather than waiting until we returned to the United States, we scheduled routine dental cleanings while we were living in the city. It was an easy appointment to arrange, the care was excellent, and the prices were significantly lower than what we would expect to pay back home.
Our healthcare costs included:
- Dental Cleanings – $150.00
Three of us had dental cleanings during our stay, averaging about $50 per cleaning. The appointments were professional, affordable, and another reminder that many routine healthcare services can be much less expensive while traveling. - SafetyWing Travel Medical Insurance – $112.56
We renewed our family’s four-week SafetyWing travel medical insurance policy while we were in Cuenca. We keep continuous coverage throughout our travels, so this is a recurring monthly expense no matter which country we’re visiting.
Total: $262.56
Including healthcare in our monthly budget gives a more realistic picture of what we actually spent during our 28 nights in Cuenca.
While not every family will choose to schedule dental appointments during their trip, we like to include every expense, from accommodation and groceries to healthcare and insurance, so readers can see exactly where our money went. It provides a transparent look at the true cost of long-term family travel rather than only highlighting day-to-day living expenses.
For us, Cuenca proved to be an excellent place to take care of routine healthcare while continuing to stay well within our overall travel budget.
Total: $2,496.80
Over the course of 28 nights, our family of four spent $2,496.80 in Cuenca, Ecuador.
That works out to:
- $89.17 per day
- $624.20 per week
- $22.29 per person, per day
Looking back at our month in Cuenca, what stands out isn’t just how affordable it was, it’s how normal life felt.
We weren’t trying to spend as little money as possible.
We rented a comfortable Airbnb, bought groceries whenever we needed them, enjoyed coffee shops throughout the city, ate at local restaurants, took day trips to Cajas National Park and Girón Waterfalls, used Uber when it made sense, renewed our travel medical insurance, and even scheduled dental appointments.
This wasn’t a “backpacking budget.”
It was simply our everyday life while traveling full-time with two young kids.
What We Learned
One of the biggest reasons Cuenca felt so affordable was that the city naturally fit the way we like to travel.
Having a kitchen meant we cooked most of our meals while still enjoying local cafés and restaurants several times each week. Between Mercado 10 de Agosto and Supermaxi, buying groceries was simple, affordable, and became part of our weekly routine.
Transportation also helped keep costs low. We never felt the need to rent a car because walking, Uber, and Ecuador’s public bus system covered almost everything we wanted to do. Even day trips to Cajas National Park and El Chorro de Girón were inexpensive enough to plan on your own.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was how many of our favorite experiences were completely free.
The girls spent hours playing at Parque de la Madre and El Paraíso Park, we wandered through the historic center, explored local markets, and enjoyed afternoons that cost us little more than a cup of coffee or an ice cream.
If you’re planning a long-term trip through Ecuador, Cuenca is one of those destinations where your money stretches without feeling like you’re constantly making sacrifices. We never felt like we were choosing between staying on budget and enjoying the city. Instead, the slower pace, affordable transportation, accessible parks, and everyday experiences naturally kept our spending low.
For our family, Cuenca wasn’t just an affordable stop on our Ecuador itinerary—it was one of the easiest places to settle into and simply live for a month.
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