Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Antigua Guatemala?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntigua Guatemala $63La Fortuna $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $63, while the average daily cost in La Fortuna is $101. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntigua Guatemala $22La Fortuna $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntigua Guatemala $44La Fortuna $100
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antigua Guatemala $12La Fortuna $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Panajachel: One Way Shared Transfers to Antigua: $23
- Guatemala City: One way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $24
- Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $25
- Antigua: Private Transfer to Guatemala City Airport: $25
- Guatemala City Airport: Private Transfer to Antigua: $25
- Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $25
- One way shared transfer to Panajachel: $31
- From Antigua Guatemala One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $34
- Private Transfer From Antigua to Guatemala City / Airport: $50
- Antigua: One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $54
- One way shared transfer to Rio Dulce: $59
- One way private transfer to GuatemalaCity: $74
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
- La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Tamarindo: $307
- Private Transfer from la Fortuna to Puerto Viejo & Cahuita Limon: $299
- Private Transfer to Manuel Antonio & Crocodiles: $299
- 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
- Transfer from Arenal or La Fortuna to Monteverde up to 5 passengers. (One Way): $295
- Private Transfer From San Jose Airport To Arenal La Fortuna: $290
- Private One-Way Transfer from/to La Fortuna to Papagayo Peninsula: $289
- Private Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Arenal - La Fortuna: $285
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
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Food Meals for one dayAntigua Guatemala $14La Fortuna $27
Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:
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Lunch$3.23
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Lunch$7.76
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: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Experience with Locals: $50
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $74
- Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $75
- Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
- Market food tour and tortilla workshop: $79
- Market and Mayan Cooking Class: $80
- Antigua: Private Evening Street Food Tour with Dinner: $84
- Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market 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: $120
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Fortuna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Fortuna.
- 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
- Farm-To-Table Cooking Class : $43
- 2 Hours Private Cooking Class in La Fortuna: $45
- Typical Costa Rican Cooking Classes in La Fortuna: $48
- Costa Rica Cooking, El Fogon de Chela: $50
- Cooking Class and Sugar Cane Experience: $50
- Organic Farm Visit & Farm-to-Table Cooking Class: $50
- Costa Rican cuisine Cooking Class at Rancho Don Lelo: $60
- Cooking Class "Cook Like a Local" La Fortuna: $63
- Rainforest Night Walk and Authentic Costa Rican Dinner from La Fortuna: $65
- Night Frog Tour + Costa Rican Dinner: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antigua Guatemala $15La Fortuna $43
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
- La Antigua Horror Stories Night Walking Tour: $20
- Antigua walking tour: Highlights, history, cultural.: $25
- PRIVATE Walking City Tour: $25
- City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $25
- Chocolate workshop; gastronomic experience of cocoa.: $28
- Antigua: Marshmallows Roasting at Pacaya Volcano 6-hour Tour: $29
- Antigua Sightseeing: Private Walking Tour Culture and History: $30
- Coffee and Gastronomic Bike Tour in Antigua: $34
- Antigua: Cultural Walking Tour with Historic Sites: $35
- Antigua Cultural Walking Tour : $35
- Classic Cultural Walking City Tour of Antigua - the best: $35
Tours and Activities in La Fortuna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Fortuna are as follows:
- Arenal Volcano Hike Experience (not guide included): $23
- La Fortuna's 3 Essentials Private Tour: $280
- Sky Adventures Arenal : Zipline - Sky Tram & Sky Walk (guided): $260
- Sloth Discovery Tour in La Fortuna Wildlife: $60
- 12-Cable Zipline Canopy Tour Over Waterfalls: $101
- 2 in 1 Safari Float and Chocolate Farm Experience: $149
- 2-Hour Chachagua Rainforest - Birdwatching Tour: $60
- 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
- 3-In-1 Río Celeste: Tubing, Natural Pool and Jungle Night Tour.: $80
- 6 Course Tropical Rainforest Foodie Adventure: $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntigua Guatemala $11La Fortuna $11
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.
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.