Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Belize City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Belize City or La Fortuna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Belize City or La Fortuna? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Belize City or La Fortuna?
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It was once the capital of the country, but due to massive hurricane damage in 1961, the country decided to relocate it capital. With a population of 57,000 people, Belize City is located right at the mouth of the Haulover Creek.
This gorgeous tropical city experiences a monsoon climate – meaning there are warm and humid conditions throughout the course of the year. There is a wet season from May to January, so plan for a little bit of rain in that time.
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 G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize, 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 dayBelize City $88La Fortuna $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Belize City is $88, 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 Belize City and La Fortuna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBelize City $49La Fortuna $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBelize City $98La Fortuna $102
Compare Hotels in Belize City and La Fortuna
Looking for a hotel in Belize City 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: Belize City Hotel Prices and La Fortuna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Belize City $5.82La Fortuna $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City
Also for Belize City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Philip Goldson Airport BZE to Belize Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Belize City to Philip Goldson Airport BZE Departure Transfer: $23
- Belize city water taxi terminal to Airport transfer: $30
- We do transfers from airport to any where in Belize.: $49
- Transfer Belize city to bacalar: $50
- Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $60
- Belize: Belize City to/from San Ignacio Shuttle Transfer: $68
- Belize City to/from Placencia/Hopkins Shuttle Transfer: $113
- Private Transfer from Belize City and Airport to Placencia: $160
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 TO or FROM La Fortuna Area to SJO Airport. Private, NOT SHARED: $210
- Transfer International ATO to Fortuna or return one way: $250
- Transfer Fortuna - Monteverde with Coffee Tour on The Way: $150
- Puerto Viejo de Limon: Transfer to La Fortuna de Arenal: $400
- 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 Liberia Intl Airport LIR area: $215
- Private Transfer from La Fortuna to Juan Santamaria Airport area: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Belize City or La Fortuna?
Prices for flights to both La Fortuna and Belize City 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 dayBelize City $27La Fortuna $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belize City
For Belize City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Altun Ha Mayan Site & Food Tour: $80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Fortuna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Fortuna.
- Skip the Line: Mineral Hot Springs Full Day Ticket w/ Optional Lunch or Dinner: $42
- Organic Farm Visit & Farm-to-Table Cooking Class: $45
- 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
- Cooking and Salsa Dance Lesson Combo : $74
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Belize City $29La Fortuna $44
Tours and Activities in Belize City
For Belize City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Belize City Tour: $40
- Belizean Bits & Bites Food Tastings and City Tour in Belize: $50
- Hassle free Cave Tubing Adventure from Belize City with Lunch: $55
- Charlie's Cave Tubing Tour for cruisers (lunch included): $65
- Second largest Barrier Reef Adventure Snorkeling: $70
- Guided Cave Kayaking Tour with Pickup: $77
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and River Wallace and Manatee Watch Tour: $85
- Cave Tubing Experience from Belize City: $85
- Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
- Half-Day Altun Ha Temple & Belize City Tour: $86
- "Taste Bud EXPLOSION" Food Tasting City Tour : $89
- Turtle Garden Snorkeling Tour and Island Break : $90
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: Hanging Bridges + La Fortuna Waterfall: $164
- 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
- 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 dayBelize City $12La Fortuna $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Belize City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belize City:
- Belize: City Highlights Tour with Rum Distillery Visit: $49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belize City and La Fortuna, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Belize City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Belize City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Belize City 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 Belize City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Belize City Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Belize City or La Fortuna?
Belize City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Belize City 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 Belize City 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 Belize City or La Fortuna in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Belize City as well as La Fortuna. Belize City 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. Belize City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Belize City usually gets more rain in July than La Fortuna. Belize City gets 243 mm (9.6 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 Belize City this time of the year. In the summer, Belize City often gets more sunshine than La Fortuna. Belize City gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 164 hours of full sun.
In July, Belize City is generally around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 28°C (82°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBelize City 28°C (82°F)La Fortuna 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Belize City or La Fortuna in the Autumn?
Both La Fortuna and Belize City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Belize City throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. It's quite rainy in Belize City. In October, Belize City usually receives around the same amount of rain as La Fortuna. Belize City gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Belize City usually receives more sunshine than La Fortuna during autumn. Belize City gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Belize City is around the same temperature as La Fortuna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBelize City 26°C (80°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Belize City or La Fortuna in the Winter?
Both La Fortuna and Belize City during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Belize City 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 Belize City. Belize City usually gets more rain in January than La Fortuna. Belize City gets 138 mm (5.4 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, Belize City often gets less sunshine than La Fortuna. Belize City gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Belize City is cooler than La Fortuna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Belize City in January average around 24°C (74°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBelize City 24°C (74°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Belize City or La Fortuna in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Belize City and La Fortuna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Belize City year-round. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Belize City usually receives more rain than La Fortuna. Belize City gets 52 mm (2 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 Belize City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Belize City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as La Fortuna during spring. Belize City gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Belize City is generally around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 27°C (80°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBelize City 27°C (80°F)La Fortuna 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Belize City
| Belize City | La Fortuna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.