Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Asuncion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Asuncion or La Fortuna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion 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: Asuncion or La Fortuna?
Asuncion
Asuncion is a vastly underrated city. It is the capital but also the administrative economic and cultural center of Paraguay. It is located in the south central part of the country, near the border with Argentina and it is one of the oldest cities in South America, with people living here since almost 500 years. The city has a beautiful and simple center, with a few unique colonial and beaux arts buildings, international cuisine, shady plazas and friendly people. Its handful of historic buildings around the Plaza de los Heroes, Plaza Uruguaya and Manzana de la Ribera, two or three small museums, old bars and cafes, but also smart suburbs, ritzy shopping malls and fashionable nightclubs will keep you entertained for a day or two. It is a very charming city for travellers and apart from the sights, the city boasts a good tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants.
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 Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAsuncion $68La Fortuna $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Asuncion is $68, 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 Asuncion and La Fortuna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAsuncion $22La Fortuna $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAsuncion $44La Fortuna $102
Compare Hotels in Asuncion and La Fortuna
Looking for a hotel in Asuncion 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: Asuncion Hotel Prices and La Fortuna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Asuncion $8.82La Fortuna $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion
Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in private car from Asuncion City - Asuncion Airport (ASU): $20
- Transfer in Private Car from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $21
- Transfer in private minivan from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $29
- Transfer in private minivan Asuncion City - Silvio Pettirosi Airport (ASU): $29
- RoundTrip Private Transfer Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $52
- RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:
- VIP Private Transfer from La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano) to Tamarindo Beach: $299
- Transfer from Arenal or La Fortuna to Monteverde up to 5 passengers. (One Way): $295
- Transfer TO or FROM San Jose city to Arenal - Fortuna Area. Private: $210
- Transfer International ATO to Fortuna or return one way: $250
- San Jose Airport: Private transfer from/to La Fortuna: $226
- Puerto Viejo de Limon: Transfer to La Fortuna de Arenal: $400
- Private transfer from SJO Airport to La Fortuna / Van A/C & WiF: $199
- Private Transfer to/from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna Area (Arenal Volcano): $213
- Private Transfer from la Fortuna to Puerto Viejo & Cahuita Limon: $299
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport to La Fortuna: $225
- Private Transfer from La Fortuna to Nosara: $278
- Private Transfer from La Fortuna to Liberia Intl Airport LIR area: $215
Is it cheaper to fly into Asuncion or La Fortuna?
Prices for flights to both La Fortuna and Asuncion 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 dayAsuncion $17La Fortuna $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Fortuna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Fortuna.
- 2 Hours Private Cooking Class in La Fortuna: $38
- Organic Farm Visit & Farm-to-Table Cooking Class: $45
- Cooking Class and Sugar Cane Experience: $45
- Typical Costa Rican Cooking Classes in La Fortuna: $48
- Costa Rica Cooking, El Fogon de Chela: $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
- 3-Hour Costa Rican Cooking Class with Dinner: $68
- Private typical cooking class with a Costa Rican family: $70
- Private cooking class in organic farm at La Fortuna: $75
- Ceviche & Empanadas Cooking Class: $77
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Asuncion $16La Fortuna $44
Tours and Activities in Asuncion
For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Asuncion: $34
- Walking Tour with a Local in Asuncion "The Mother of Cities": $35
- Asunción Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Asuncion Birding Tour: $70
- Crystal Fall - day tour in a reduced group: $85
- Golden Triangle Tour: $110
- Birding and Nature Chaco Tour: $140
- Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour from Asunción: $160
- Half-Day Yparacai Lake Tour from Asuncion with Pick Up: $185
- Full day Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour: $207
- Day tour “Circuito San Bernardino”: $214
- Day tour “Circuito Sapucai”: $221
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
- Rio Celeste Tubing Experience: $54
- 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: $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
- 6 Course Tropical Rainforest Foodie Adventure: $199
- 7 Nights Costa Rica Fully Guided Adventure: $2,000
- 7 cable Zipline Canopy Tour Over La Fortuna Waterfall!: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAsuncion $10La Fortuna $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Asuncion
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:
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Beer$1.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asuncion and La Fortuna, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Asuncion much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Asuncion is in South America and La Fortuna is in Central 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 Asuncion would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asuncion 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 Asuncion.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asuncion Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Asuncion or La Fortuna?
Asuncion has a larger population, and is about 490 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Asuncion 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 Asuncion or La Fortuna?
Asuncion has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but La Fortuna experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Asuncion or La Fortuna in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Asuncion as well as La Fortuna. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.
In the summer, Asuncion is around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asuncion in January average around 29°C (84°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asuncion this time of the year. In the summer, Asuncion often gets more sunshine than La Fortunain July. Asuncion gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 164 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in La Fortuna. Asuncion receives a lot of rain in the summer. Asuncion usually gets less rain in January than La Fortunain July. Asuncion gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyAsuncion 29°C (84°F)La Fortuna 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Asuncion or La Fortuna in the Autumn?
Both La Fortuna and Asuncion are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Asuncion is generally cooler than La Fortunain October. Daily temperatures in Asuncion average around 24°C (75°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Asuncion usually receives more sunshine than La Fortuna during autumn. Asuncion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. It's quite rainy in Asuncion. In April, Asuncion usually receives less rain than La Fortunain October. Asuncion gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberAsuncion 24°C (75°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Asuncion or La Fortuna in the Winter?
Both La Fortuna and Asuncion during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.
Asuncion is cooler than La Fortuna in the winter. The daily temperature in Asuncion averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.
In La Fortuna, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Asuncion often gets less sunshine than La Fortunain January. Asuncion gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun.
Asuncion usually gets more rain in July than La Fortunain January. Asuncion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAsuncion 19°C (66°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Asuncion or La Fortuna in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Asuncion and La Fortuna. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Asuncion is cooler than La Fortuna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asuncion in October average around 25°C (77°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 29°C (85°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Fortuna this time of the year. In Asuncion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asuncion usually receives less sunshine than La Fortuna during spring. Asuncion gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
Asuncion gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Asuncion usually receives more rain than La Fortunain April. Asuncion gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilAsuncion 25°C (77°F)La Fortuna 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Asuncion
| Asuncion | La Fortuna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 29°C (84°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.