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

Should you visit Fortaleza or Ensenada?

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 Ensenada 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 Ensenada?

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.

Ensenada

Ensenada is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, south of Tijuana. It's the only deep water port in the state of Baja California and as such, it is an important commerical fishing port as well as a cruise ship destination. The city has a population of almost 500,000 and is located just 78 miles south of San Diego. The city sits between the ocean and a small mountain range. The surrounding area is known for its wine production, which produces some of the best wine in Mexico.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Ensenada 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 Ensenada is $99. 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 Ensenada in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fortaleza $30
    Ensenada $47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fortaleza $60
    Ensenada $94
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and Ensenada

Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza or Ensenada? 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 Ensenada


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 Ensenada Hotel Prices.

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza

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

  • 4x4 Private Transfer Service : $180
  • 4x4 Transfer Private Service Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $259
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Fortaleza by Minivan: $117
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Fortaleza by Sedan Car: $88
  • Beach Park Transfer from Fortaleza: $16
  • Cumbuco Private Transfer From Fortaleza: $58
  • Departure Private Transfer: Fortaleza City to Fortaleza Airport FOR by Minivan: $117
  • Departure Private Transfer: Fortaleza City to Fortaleza Airport FOR by Sedan Car: $88
  • Departure Private Transfer: Jericoacoara to Fortaleza Airport FOR by Sedan Car: $253
  • Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza - Arrival Private Transfer: $16
  • Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
  • Fortaleza Airport Private Transfer: $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ensenada

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ensenada:

  • Transfer: From Tijuana to Valle de Guadalupe & Ensenada: $408

Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or Ensenada?

Prices for flights to both Ensenada 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
    Ensenada $39

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fortaleza $15
    Ensenada $11

Tours and Activities in Fortaleza

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

  • Full Day Tour to Cumbuco From Fortaleza: $11
  • Cumbuco Beach Tour: $12
  • 3 Beaches in 1 Day Tour Leaving Fortaleza: $13
  • Lagoinha Beach Tour: $14
  • Águas Belas Tour: $15
  • Cumbuco Beach with City Tour from Fortaleza: $16
  • Lagoinha Beach Tour: $17
  • Tour 3 beaches in 1 day: $18
  • One Day Bus Tour of Fortaleza and Cumbuco Beach: $18
  • Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $19
  • Canoa Quebrada Beach Tour with Nettour: $20
  • The colorful sands of Morro Branco beach - Full Day Tour: $22

Tours and Activities in Ensenada

Here are a few actual costs in Ensenada for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 8 Hour Private Tour : $132
  • ATV Off-Road Adventure through Valle de Guadalupe + Winery Visit: $77
  • Adventure in Ensenada with Zipline, Marine Geyser and Shops: $99
  • Bike and wine amazing Adventure in Valle de Guadalupe": $130
  • City tour on electric horse wagon.: $58
  • Couple Tour: $125
  • Electric Motorcycle Tour and rental.: $140
  • Ensenada : The unique bufadora private tour: $39
  • Ensenada City Tour on Ford T Replica and Beach Horse Back Riding : $90
  • Ensenada Shore Excursion: Blowhole and La Bufadora Tour with Horseback Riding: $81
  • Ensenada Taco Tour by local guide: $94
  • A thrilled family adventure of ziplines: $70

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Ensenada

Also in Ensenada, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Private Wine Tasting Experience in Maglén: $29
  • Xecue Wine Tasting in the Guadalupe Valley: $39
  • Wine tour valley of guadalupe: $60
  • Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tasting Tour: $78
  • From Wine Tasting at Guadalupe Valley Ensenada: $87
  • From Ojos Negros Valley Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour: $97
  • Wine Tasting Tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $115
  • Private Wine Tour at Valle de Guadalupe (A wine tasting included).: $119
  • wine tours and driver service through valle de guadalupe, Ensenada B.C. Mexico: $135
  • Wine tasting tour for Cruise Ship Visitors. All Inclusive!: $199
  • Private and custom group Wine tour Valle de Guadalupe : $220
  • Valle Experience by Ansell Wine Tours: $270


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Ensenada, we can see that Ensenada 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 Ensenada 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 Ensenada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ensenada 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 Ensenada Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or Ensenada?

Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Ensenada. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza and Ensenada, 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.