Should you visit Faro or Costa Vicentina?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Costa Vicentina, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Faro
Faro (or sometimes Faros) is the capital city of the scenic Algarve Region of Portugal, located at the edge of the Ria Formosa National Park. This is a fantastic place to experience the beauty, culture, and traditions of Portugal in laid back atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of the larger cities. Faro offers everything from ancient architecture to beautiful beaches all while being surrounded by the natural beauty of the Algarve Region.
Costa Vicentina
Costa Vicentina is the beautiful coastal area in southwest Portugal which runs through both the Algarve and Alentejo Regions along the southern coast. This is actually part of the longest stretch of protected coastline in Portugal, making it one of the best places to experience the unadulterated beauty and nature of the country. Costa Vicentina offers miles of some of the best Portugal beaches, fantastic hiking trails, and lovely old villages to explore. The area sees far more Portuguese tourists than international ones, so expect Portuguese to be the only language spoken by many people, especially in the smaller villages.
Which city is cheaper, Costa Vicentina or Faro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Faro is €130, while the average daily cost in Costa Vicentina is €100. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Faro and Costa Vicentina in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Faro can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is €59, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around €118.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about €106 for a double occupancy room in Costa Vicentina.
Food
Faro food costs typically run travelers around €41 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
On average, meal and food prices in Costa Vicentina cost around €27 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €11.
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Food
Meals for one day
Faro €41
Costa Vicentina €27
Local Transportation
To get around in Faro, the average visitor spends €6.90 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
The average price of local transportation around Costa Vicentina is €32 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Faro
Also for Faro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Algarve private transfer to Seville:
$307
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Algarve to/from Seville Transfer:
$325
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Arrival Transfer Faro Airport - Carvoeiro:
$58
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Arrival Transfer Faro Airport FAO to Albufeira or Açoteias by Private Vehicle:
$38
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Arrival Transfer Faro Airport FAO to Meia Praia or Lagos by Private Vehicle:
$78
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Arrival Transfer Faro Airport FAO to Vilamoura or Qta do Lago by Private Vehicle:
$32
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Chauffeur ALGARVE ALL CITIES Private Transfer to LISBON (1 to 4 passengers):
$398
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Chauffeur ALGARVE ALL CITIES Private Transfer to LISBON (1 to 8 passengers):
$498
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Chauffeur ALGARVE ALL CITIES Private Transfer to SEVILLE (1 to 4 passengers):
$435
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Chauffeur ALGARVE ALL CITIES Private Transfer to SEVILLE (5 to 8 passengers):
$498
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Faro Airport (Algarve) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Vilamoura Hotels or Address):
$45
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Faro Airport FAO Transfer to Alvor, Carvoeiro or Portimão by Private Vehicle:
$64
Entertainment
In Faro, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average €56 per person, per day.
Costa Vicentina's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €13 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Faro
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Faro.
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Horse Experience For Children: Lead Rein Riding:
$3.72
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Birds and Nature Catamaran Tour from Faro:
$19
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Speed Boat Tour - Ria Formosa:
$32
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Algarve: Animaris Desert Island & Ria Formosa Day Tour:
$36
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Ria Formosa Natural Park Boat Cruise from Faro:
$37
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Birdwatching Boat Tour in Ria Formosa:
$38
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Small-Group Tour in Faro Islands:
$40
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Private Speed Boat Tour:
$45
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Stand Up Paddle tour, Ria Formosa:
$46
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Amoreira River Kayak Tour:
$50
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Amoreira River Stand Up Paddle Tour:
$50
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Ingrina to Barranco Grottos Kayak Tour:
$50
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Costa Vicentina may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €6.97 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Faro
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Faro:
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Traditional Portuguese Guitar performance with Exhibition Museum & Wine Tasting:
$21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Faro and Costa Vicentina, we can see that Faro is more expensive. And not only is Costa Vicentina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Costa Vicentina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Costa Vicentina 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 Faro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Faro than you might in Costa Vicentina.
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