Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or La Fortuna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Buenos Aires, Argentina and La Fortuna can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Buenos Aires, Argentina or La Fortuna?
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.
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 Buenos Aires, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
Argentina PricesLa Fortuna Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $59La Fortuna $136
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $59, while the average daily cost in La Fortuna is $136. 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina and La Fortuna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuenos Aires, Argentina $42La Fortuna $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $84La Fortuna $112
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and La Fortuna
Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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: Buenos Aires, Argentina Hotel Prices and La Fortuna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.20La Fortuna $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Private Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport (AEP): $19
- Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Airport (AEP): $19
- Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City: $20
- Private Aeroparque (AEP) Airport Transfer TO Buenos Aires City: $23
- Tango Show in Catullo Without Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport (EZE): $29
- Jorge Newbery Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
- Buenos Aires Local Airport One - way Private Transfer from 30 USD: $30
- Local Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
- Buenos Aires Center One-way Private Transfer to Local Airport: $30
- Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Cruise Port to Ezeiza: $35
- Private Ezeiza (EZE) Airport Transfer to Buenos Aires City: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:
- Arenal La Fortuna to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer: $208
- Direct Transfer From La Fortuna to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $165
- From San Jose Airport To Arenal - La Fortuna - PRIVATE TRANSFER: $295
- From San Jose: One way shared transfer to La Fortuna: $74
- Guided Tour to Arenal Mistico Hanging Bridges with Transfer: $79
- La Fortuna Arenal Volcano Hotels to SJO Airport Private Transfer: $195
- La Fortuna Private Transfer to San Jose Airport: $231
- One Way Private Transfer - La Fortuna to your Selected Location: $100
- Private Airport Transfer to La Fortuna and Arenal: $180
- Private One Way Transfer from Arenal, La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio: $195
- Private One-Way Transfer from/to La Fortuna to Papagayo Peninsula: $289
- Private Transfer Arenal / La Fortuna town to San Jose Airport (SJO): $219
Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or La Fortuna?
Prices for flights to both La Fortuna and Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $7.95La Fortuna $52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show with Optional Transfer and Dinner: $28
- Piazzolla Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $35
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
- BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $39
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $40
- Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $43
- BA: Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $43
- BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Tasting in Palermo: $43
- Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer: $46
- El Aljibe Tango Show in Buenos Aires with Optional Dinner: $47
- BA: Small Group Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Tasting in Palermo: $49
- Chacarita Walking Tour - Spooky Cemetery, History & Pizza: $49
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 class with Tica family: $43
- Arenal Volcano Hike Hot Springs and Dinner with Transportation: $45
- Farm to Table Cooking Class: $45
- Typical Costa Rican Cooking Classes in La Fortuna: $48
- Costa Rican Cooking Class: $57
- Costa Rica The Chela Cooking Experience: $60
- Costa Rican cuisine Cooking Class at Rancho Don Lelo: $60
- Private typical cooking class with a Costa Rican family: $70
- Cooking Class "Cook Like a Local" La Fortuna: $70
- Ceviche & Empanadas Cooking Class: $77
- Horseback Riding and Cooking Class with Lunch: $80
- Cooking with a Costa Rican family: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $32La Fortuna $48
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $6.72
- Buenos Aires Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h30 and 18 reviews: $7.20
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $11
- Recoleta Cemetery Buenos Aires Tour with Audioguide (no ticket): $12
- Palermo Graffiti Tour: $13
- 2 hrs. Walking Tour in San Telmo & Market: $13
- Guided tour of the Mate Museum: $13
- Graffiti Tour: $14
- Small Group Tour of Buenos Aires Historic: $15
- Recoleta Cemetery Tour in English: $16
- Buenos Aires Shopping Tour: $19
- La Boca walking tour Tango neighborhood Football and Art: $20
Tours and Activities in La Fortuna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Fortuna are as follows:
- Arenal Volcano - Ecological Park Entrance Ticket: $17
- La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket: $20
- Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket: $20
- Arenal Park Self-Guided Experience: $27
- Guaranteed Sloth Watching Tour: $30
- Tour of sloths, exotic birds, frogs.: $30
- Guaranteed Red eyed Tree Frog & Amphibians Tour: $30
- Don Olivo Chocolate Tour: $30
- Excellent Wildlife Tour in Bijagua de Upala: $30
- Rainforest Chocolate Tour: $32
- Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park: $32
- Rainforest Chocolate Tour from La Fortuna: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $9.69La Fortuna $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Buenos Aires Full City Tour with Wine Tasting and Stops: $35
- Exclusive Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $42
- BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo: $54
- Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
- Wine Tasting at Encuentro Nativo a Historic Tenement in Caminito: $60
- Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $65
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
- BA: Wine tour with 5 tasting stops in the heart of Palermo: $78
- Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85
- Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $94
- Private Malbec Wine Tasting Experience in Buenos Aires: $95
- Private argentinian wine tasting in downtown: $97
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 Experience: $135
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and La Fortuna, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Buenos Aires, Argentina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Buenos Aires, Argentina Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or La Fortuna?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 4340 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina or La Fortuna?
Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina or La Fortuna in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Buenos Aires, Argentina and La Fortuna. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Buenos Aires, Argentina is cooler than La Fortuna in the summer. The daily temperature in Buenos Aires, Argentina averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Buenos Aires, Argentina usually receives more sunshine than La Fortuna during summer. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
La Fortuna receives a lot of rain in the summer. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Buenos Aires, Argentina usually receives less rain than La Fortunain July. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyBuenos Aires, Argentina 25°C (77°F)La Fortuna 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or La Fortuna in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Buenos Aires, Argentina as well as La Fortuna. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.
In the autumn, Buenos Aires, Argentina is much colder than La Fortuna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Buenos Aires, Argentina in April average around 18°C (65°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Buenos Aires, Argentina this time of the year. In the autumn, Buenos Aires, Argentina often gets more sunshine than La Fortunain October. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in La Fortuna. Buenos Aires, Argentina receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Buenos Aires, Argentina usually gets less rain in April than La Fortunain October. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in La Fortuna is the dry season. Also, the hurricane season in La Fortuna is May to November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberBuenos Aires, Argentina 18°C (65°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or La Fortuna in the Winter?
Both La Fortuna and Buenos Aires, Argentina are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Buenos Aires, Argentina is generally much colder than La Fortunain January. Daily temperatures in Buenos Aires, Argentina average around 12°C (53°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in La Fortuna. Buenos Aires, Argentina usually receives less sunshine than La Fortuna during winter. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Buenos Aires, Argentina usually receives more rain than La Fortunain January. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryBuenos Aires, Argentina 12°C (53°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or La Fortuna in the Spring?
Both La Fortuna and Buenos Aires, Argentina during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.
Buenos Aires, Argentina is much colder than La Fortuna in the spring. The daily temperature in Buenos Aires, Argentina averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in April.
In La Fortuna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In the spring, Buenos Aires, Argentina often gets less sunshine than La Fortunain April. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Buenos Aires, Argentina usually gets more rain in October than La Fortunain April. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in La Fortuna. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in La Fortuna.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilBuenos Aires, Argentina 18°C (64°F)La Fortuna 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Buenos Aires, Argentina
| Buenos Aires, Argentina | La Fortuna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 104 mm (4.1 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.