A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amman vs. La Fortuna for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Amman or La Fortuna?

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 Amman and La Fortuna. 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: Amman or La Fortuna?

Amman

Amman is the largest city in of the Hashemite Kingdom of the country of Jordan. It is also the capital city of Jordan and has a population of over four million people. Many people use Amman as a base for venturing out into the rest of Jordan and other surrounding countries. There are many things to see and do in Amman.

La Fortuna

La Fortuna is in San Carlos, in the province of Alajuela. It is the closest town to Arenal Volcano, and the area is often simply refered to as Arenal. The volcano itself is active and has been constantly erupting since 1968. It erupts on average 41 times a day. This area of northern Costa Rica is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Amman?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Amman is $135, while the average daily cost in La Fortuna is $138. 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 Amman and La Fortuna in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Amman $49
    La Fortuna $57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Amman $98
    La Fortuna $114
Compare Hotels in Amman and La Fortuna

Looking for a hotel in Amman or La Fortuna? 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.

Hotels in Amman


Hotels in La Fortuna


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: Amman Hotel Prices and La Fortuna Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Amman $24
    La Fortuna $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amman

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amman:


  • Bus Ride (for Two)
    $0.71
  • RIde to Airport
    $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amman

Also for Amman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport pickup or drop off transfer from or to Amman city: $19
  • Private Transfer from Amman Airport to Amman Hotel: $19
  • Private Airport Transfer from Amman: $22
  • Amman Airport Transfer Pickup/Drop-Off: $22
  • Amman Queen Alia Airport (AMM) to Amman hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
  • Amman hotels to Amman Queen Alia Airport (AMM) - Departure Private Transfer: $26
  • Amman Airport (AMM) to Amman hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
  • Amman or Amman Airport Private Transfer to Dead Sea: $28
  • Amman Airport Private Transfer To Amman: $30
  • Elite Transfers : Queen Alia Airport to Any Destination in Jordan: $30
  • Amman Private Transfer to King Hussein Border: $31
  • Comfortable & Reliable Amman Airport Round-Trip Private Transfer: $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna

Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:

  • Transfer TO or FROM San Jose city to Arenal - Fortuna Area. Private: $230
  • Transfer TO or FROM La Fortuna Area to SJO Airport. Private, NOT SHARED: $230
  • Transfer From Liberia Airport To Arenal La Fortuna San Carlos: $54
  • Transfer From Liberia Airport To Arenal La Fortuna San Carlos: $48
  • Shared Transfer from La Fortuna to Liberia Airport: $50
  • Scenic Transfer Between La Fortuna & Monteverde: $210
  • San Jose Airport: Private transfer from/to La Fortuna: $270
  • Private VIP Transfer La Fortuna to Tamarindo, Flamingo & Conchal: $299
  • Private Transfer: San José Airport (SJO) ↔ La Fortuna: $300
  • Private Transfer to/from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna Area (Arenal Volcano): $250
  • Private Transfer fron San Jose airport to Arenal Volcano.: $225
  • Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Tabacón Arenal: $43

Is it cheaper to fly into Amman or La Fortuna?

Prices for flights to both La Fortuna and Amman 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 day
    Amman $58
    La Fortuna $53
Typical Food Prices in Amman

For Amman, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Pastries
    $4.23
  • Tea
    $5.64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amman

For Amman, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Amman by Night Tour with Local Dinner: $31
  • private cooking with local chef: $40
  • Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant in Amman: $80
  • Private Madaba Haret Jdoudna Restaurant Lunch or Dinner from Amman: $100
  • Amman Food Tours: 3-Hours Guided Walking Food Tour in Amman: $107
  • Private Lunch or Dinner at Alee Restaurant in Amman: $120
  • Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with Wine Experience: $147
  • Private Food Tour in Amman by Day (inc Citadel & Roman Theatre): $199

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Fortuna

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Fortuna.

  • Traditional cooking lesson with a local family: $37
  • Sloth Tour in La Fortuna and Tortillas Cooking Class: $38
  • Farm to Table Cooking Class: $45
  • Organic Farm Visit & Farm-to-Table Cooking Class: $50
  • Costa Rican Cooking Class: $57
  • Costa Rica The Chela Cooking Experience: $60
  • Costa Rican cuisine Cooking Class at Rancho Don Lelo: $60
  • 3-Hour Costa Rican Cooking Class with Dinner: $68
  • Arenal Boat Tour & Pirate Hot Springs Dinner: $69
  • Sloth Tour with Cane Juice and Cooking Class: $70
  • Private typical cooking class with a Costa Rican family: $70
  • Cooking Class "Cook Like a Local" La Fortuna: $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Amman $32
    La Fortuna $49

Tours and Activities in Amman

For Amman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Tour to the hidden Kingdom of the north: $10
  • Amman Old and New Private City Tour: $18
  • Amman Private City Tour with Local Lunch: $18
  • Amman Private City Tour with Local Mansaf Lunch: $18
  • Seven Sleepers Cave and King Abdullah Mosque Private Tour: $18
  • Amman Private City Tour: $18
  • Day or Night Walking Tour in Downtown With Local: $25
  • Madaba Mount Nebo Baptism and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $27
  • Petra Madaba and Mount Nebo Private Guided Tour: $27
  • Madaba Mount Nebo Baptism and Ma'in Private Guided Tour: $27
  • Tree of Al Buqayawiyya and Seven Sleepers Cave Private Tour: $31
  • Amman and Seven Sleepers Cave Private Tour: $31

Tours and Activities in La Fortuna

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Fortuna are as follows:

  • 2-in-1 Arenal Coffee and Chocolate Tour: $75
  • 5-Day Pura Vida Adventure: Volcano and Jungle in Costa Rica: $1,099
  • 7 Nights Costa Rica Fully Guided Adventure: $1,850
  • 7-Cable Zipline Adventure: Fly Over La Fortuna Waterfall: $84
  • 7-Cable Zipline Canopy Tour Over La Fortuna Waterfall: $95
  • A day of Arenal Adventure 1968 and Spring: $96
  • ARENAL FORTUNA CITY TOUR .: $30
  • ATV Tour Quad Crater Impact and Forest Arenal Volcano: $113
  • ATV Tour near Arenal Volcano, Jungle, and River Crossing: $165
  • ATV Tour: Adventure tour in La Fortuna: $161
  • ATV adventure Tour in La Fortuna: $105
  • Adventure Pass: $167

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Amman $14
    La Fortuna $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Amman

Also in Amman, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Full Day Tour of Ajloun Castle with Cable Car and Wine Tasting: $127

Sample the Local Flavors in La Fortuna

Also in La Fortuna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Wine Tasting in Costa Rica: $55
  • Wine Tasting Experience: $135


When comparing the travel costs between Amman and La Fortuna, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Amman is in Middle East and La Fortuna is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amman Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Amman or La Fortuna?

Amman has a larger population, and is about 420 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Amman and La Fortuna, 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 Amman or La Fortuna?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Amman or La Fortuna in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Amman as well as La Fortuna. Amman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in La Fortuna. Amman usually gets less rain in July than La Fortuna. Amman gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amman this time of the year. In the summer, Amman often gets more sunshine than La Fortuna. Amman gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 164 hours of full sun.

Amman is cooler than La Fortuna in the summer. The daily temperature in Amman averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Amman 25°C (77°F) 
    La Fortuna 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Amman or La Fortuna in the Autumn?

Both La Fortuna and Amman are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Amman throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in La Fortuna is December to April. May to November in La Fortuna is the hurricane season. It rains a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. In October, Amman usually receives less rain than La Fortuna. Amman gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amman. Amman usually receives more sunshine than La Fortuna during autumn. Amman gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Amman is cooler than La Fortuna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Amman in October average around 20°C (68°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Amman 20°C (68°F) 
    La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Amman or La Fortuna in the Winter?

Both La Fortuna and Amman during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Amman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Amman. Amman usually gets more rain in January than La Fortuna. Amman gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In La Fortuna, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Amman often gets less sunshine than La Fortuna. Amman gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun.

In January, Amman is generally much colder than La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Amman average around 8°C (46°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Amman 8°C (46°F) 
    La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Amman or La Fortuna in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Amman and La Fortuna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Amman year-round. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

December to April in La Fortuna is the dry season. The hurricane season in La Fortuna is May to November. In April, Amman usually receives less rain than La Fortuna. Amman gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Fortuna this time of the year. In Amman, it's very sunny this time of the year. Amman usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as La Fortuna during spring. Amman gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

Amman is much colder than La Fortuna in the spring. The daily temperature in Amman averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Amman 16°C (61°F) 
    La Fortuna 29°C (85°F)

Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Amman

Amman La Fortuna
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (46°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Feb 9°C (48°F) 98 mm (3.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 29°C (85°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 29°C (83°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 289 mm (11.4 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 328 mm (12.9 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 26 mm (1 in) 27°C (81°F) 254 mm (10 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)