A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fortaleza vs. Cozumel for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Fortaleza or Cozumel?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fortaleza and Cozumel 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: Fortaleza or Cozumel?

Fortaleza

A major city on Brazil's northeastern coast and the capital city of Ceara state, Fortaleza is best characterized by its city landscape lined with beaches and palm trees. It also features some great seafood as well as long-standing folk traditions in culture and dance.

Cozumel

Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Cozumel or Fortaleza?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $69, while the average daily cost in Cozumel is $118. 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 Fortaleza and Cozumel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fortaleza $30
    Cozumel $70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fortaleza $60
    Cozumel $140
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and Cozumel

Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza or Cozumel? 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.

Hotels in Fortaleza


Hotels in Cozumel


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: Fortaleza Hotel Prices and Cozumel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fortaleza $21
    Cozumel $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza

Also for Fortaleza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $300
  • Jericoacoara Private Transfer From Fortaleza: $273
  • Private Transfer From FOR to Any Point in Fortaleza City: $270
  • 4x4 Transfer Private Service Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $259
  • Departure Private Transfer: Jericoacoara to Fortaleza Airport FOR by Sedan Car: $253
  • Transfer 4 X 4 Fortaleza to Jericoacoara or Jericoacoara to Fortaleza: $240
  • 4x4 Private Transfer Service : $180
  • Private Transfer from Fortaleza to Canoa Quebrada: $173
  • Fortaleza Airport to Canoa Quebrada One–Way Transfer: $160
  • Transfer Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $153
  • Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Icaraí-Amontada : $131
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Fortaleza by Minivan: $117

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel

Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Cuban Cigar Master Class & Beach Break® with transfer: $153
  • Cozumel Private Airport Transfer: $150
  • Private Transfer from Cozumel Airport: $110
  • ATV Adventure to Jade Cavern with transfer: $93
  • Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) Cozumel - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $87
  • Cozumel Cruise Port to Cozumel Island Hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
  • Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
  • Wild Jade Cavern Private ATV Tour With Transfer: $86
  • Cozumel Island Transfers: $70
  • Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel -Arrival Private Transfer: $44
  • Cozumel Cruise Port to Cozumel hotels Arrival Private Transfer: $44
  • Cozumel Port to Cozumel Airport CZM Departure Private Transfer: $44

Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or Cozumel?

Prices for flights to both Cozumel and Fortaleza 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Fortaleza $24
    Cozumel $24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel

For Cozumel, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Authentic Mayan Cooking Class in Cozumel: $61
  • Cozumel Food Tour: $90
  • Cozumel Food Tour: $110

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fortaleza $15
    Cozumel $44

Tours and Activities in Fortaleza

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fortaleza.

  • Águas Belas Tour: $15
  • 3 Beaches in 1 Day Tour Leaving Fortaleza: $13
  • Beach Park Full-Day Trip Including Brief Tour of Fortaleza: $35
  • Canoa Quebrada Beach Tour with Nettour: $20
  • Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $19
  • City Tour Fortaleza - Full Day Cumbuco Beach Tour by Nettour: $26
  • City-Tour and Fortaleza (central market, cathedral, Fort, Theaters, encetur, P.ferreira: $56
  • Cumbuco Beach Tour: $12
  • Cumbuco Beach with City Tour from Fortaleza: $16
  • Fortaleza City Tour : $26
  • Fortaleza Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $31
  • 4-Hour City Car Tour: $266

Tours and Activities in Cozumel

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.

  • Island Tour With Private Driver : $56
  • Private Cozumel Jeep Tour & Jade Caverns Cenote: All-Inclusive: $85
  • Romantic tour in Cozumel: $127
  • 1 Hour and Half Private Tropical Fitness Experience in Cozumel: $6.03
  • 15-minute Private Parasailing Experience in Cozumel: $69
  • 2 Hour Discover Mermaid Experience : $20
  • 2 Hour Diving Experience in San Miguel de Cozumel: $88
  • 4 Hour Snorkeling Tour in Cozumel: $65
  • 4 Hours Experience the turtle sanctuary on La Chula Catamarán : $78
  • 4-Hour Jeep and ATV Tour with Snorkel in Cozumel with Lunch: $99
  • A Pirate's Adventure in Cozumel with Captain Draco : $80
  • A snorkeling adventure in a glass-bottom boat at Cozumel's reef.: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fortaleza $9.97
    Cozumel $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Cozumel, we can see that Cozumel is more expensive. And not only is Fortaleza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fortaleza is in South America and Cozumel is in North 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 Fortaleza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fortaleza 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 Cozumel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cozumel than you might in Fortaleza.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fortaleza Expensive? and Is Cozumel Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or Cozumel?

Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Cozumel. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza and Cozumel, 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.