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

Should you visit Antigua Guatemala or La Fortuna?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala or La Fortuna, 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: Antigua Guatemala or La Fortuna?

Antigua Guatemala

Before a disastrous earthquake in 1773, Antigua was the colonial capital of Guatemala. For 200 years it had reigned as so and today shows remnants of its glorious past with Spanish colonial buildings and other architectural landmarks still standing. Due to this large amount of preserved architecture, Antigua was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is now the most touristed city of Guatemala.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Antigua Guatemala?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $63, while the average daily cost in La Fortuna is $104. 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 Antigua Guatemala and La Fortuna in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Antigua Guatemala $22
    La Fortuna $51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Antigua Guatemala $44
    La Fortuna $102
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and La Fortuna

Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala 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 Antigua Guatemala


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: Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices and La Fortuna Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Antigua Guatemala $12
    La Fortuna $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala

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

  • Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $23
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Puerto Quetzal Port: $28
  • Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $30
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Antigua Hotels to Guatemala City Airport: $56
  • Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $80
  • Transfer Ciudad Guatemala a la Aurora a la Antigua Guatemala: $130
  • Transfer from La Antigua Guatemala to Monterrico (One Way): $260

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna

Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:

  • Puerto Viejo de Limon: Transfer to La Fortuna de Arenal: $400
  • La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Puerto Viejo de Limon: $400
  • La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Manuel Antonio or Quepos: $320
  • Private One-Way Transfer to Manuel Antonio: $310
  • La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Tamarindo: $307
  • VIP Private Transfer from La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano) to Tamarindo Beach: $299
  • Private Transfer From La Fortuna To Manuel Antonio From 1 to 6 passengers: $297
  • From San Jose Airport To Arenal - La Fortuna - PRIVATE TRANSFER: $295
  • Transfer from Arenal or La Fortuna to Monteverde up to 5 passengers. (One Way): $295
  • Private One-Way Transfer from/to La Fortuna to Papagayo Peninsula: $289
  • Private Transfer from La Fortuna to Nosara: $281
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Arenal La Fortuna: $280

Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or La Fortuna?

Prices for flights to both La Fortuna and Antigua Guatemala 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
    Antigua Guatemala $14
    La Fortuna $28
Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:


  • Lunch
    $3.22
  • Lunch
    $7.73

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antigua Guatemala

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

  • Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $74
  • Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $75
  • Market food tour and tortilla workshop: $79
  • Market and Mayan Cooking Class: $80
  • Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
  • Foodie & street food tour: $85
  • Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
  • Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $95
  • Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $98
  • From Guatemala City: Guatemala Cooking Class Tour: $110
  • The Best Food Tour in Antigua: $116
  • Pacaya Volcano Luxury Sunset Horseback Riding Tour/ Dinner Cooked by-Lava Chef: $295

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Fortuna

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

  • Cooking Class and Sugar Cane Experience: $35
  • Sloth Tour in La Fortuna and Tortillas Cooking Class: $35
  • Skip the Line: Mineral Hot Springs Full Day Ticket w/ Optional Lunch or Dinner: $42
  • Organic Farm Visit & Farm-to-Table Cooking Class: $45
  • Typical Costa Rican Cooking Classes in La Fortuna: $48
  • Costa Rica Cooking, El Fogon de Chela: $50
  • cooking class la fortuna: $50
  • Cooking Class "Cook Like a Local" La Fortuna: $63
  • Rainforest Night Walk and Authentic Costa Rican Dinner from La Fortuna: $65
  • 3-Hour Costa Rican Cooking Class with Dinner: $68
  • Costa Rican Cooking Class+Dinner+Night Frog Tour: $72
  • Private cooking class in organic farm at La Fortuna: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Antigua Guatemala $15
    La Fortuna $44

Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.

  • Half-Day Walking Tour: $20
  • Historical and Cultural Walking Tour of Antigua Guatemala : $20
  • City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $20
  • Walking Tour of the Wonders of La Antigua Guatemala: $20
  • Express tour in Antigua: $20
  • Guided Walking Tour Legends of Antigua Guatemala: $20
  • Guided Walking Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $20
  • La Antigua Horror Stories Night Walking Tour: $20
  • Antigua Walking Tour: $23
  • Antigua Guatemala Walking Group Tour: $30
  • Coffee and Gastronomic Bike Tour in Antigua: $34
  • Antigua Cultural Walking Tour : $35

Tours and Activities in La Fortuna

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

  • Hiking Experience to Volcano Base Arenal Park: $23
  • La Fortuna's 3 Essentials Private Tour: $280
  • Sky Adventures Arenal : Zipline - Sky Tram & Sky Walk (guided): $260
  • 1-Hour Private Sloth Tour in the Rainforest from Costa Rica: $30
  • 12 cable Zipline Canopy Tour Over Waterfalls!: $101
  • 2-Hour Chachagua Rainforest - Birdwatching Tour: $54
  • 2-in-1 Arenal Combo Tour: Hanging Bridges + La Fortuna Waterfall: $164
  • 2-in-1 Arenal Combo Tour: River Safari Float and La Fortuna Waterfall: $170
  • 2-in-1 Arenal Volcano Combo Tour: La Fortuna Waterfall and Volcano Hike: $170
  • 3-Hour Arenal Lake Flexi Pass Adventure In Costa Rica: $69
  • 6 Course Tropical Rainforest Foodie Adventure: $199
  • 7 Nights Costa Rica Fully Guided Adventure: $2,000

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Antigua Guatemala $11
    La Fortuna $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Antigua Guatemala

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Antigua Guatemala:

  • Macadamia Chocolate and Wine Tour on ATV or UTV: $85


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antigua Guatemala and La Fortuna, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Antigua Guatemala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Antigua Guatemala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antigua Guatemala 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 La Fortuna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Fortuna than you might in Antigua Guatemala.

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


Which is Bigger, Antigua Guatemala or La Fortuna?

Antigua Guatemala has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Antigua Guatemala 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.