Should you visit Fortaleza or Galapagos Islands?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Fortaleza and Galapagos Islands can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are a small archipelago of islands belonging to Ecuador in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The Galapagos archipelago is world-renowned for its unique and fearless wildlife, much of which was inspiration for Charles Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. Thanks to a lack of natural predators, friendly wildlife such as sea lions and gigantic sea tortoises let visitors get up close. This archipelago of about 19 islands and many smaller islets found over 620 miles off Ecuador's coast in the Pacific Ocean is a double World Heritage site, where both land and sea are protected. Each island boasts its own unique landscape, ranging from black, volcanic rocks to white sand beaches and gemstone-blue waters. There is no bad time to visit the Galapagos Islands but the busiest months for tourism tend to be June, July and August, as well as mid-December to mid-January. This is when prices are at their highest.
Which city is cheaper, Galapagos Islands or Fortaleza?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $54, while the average daily cost in Galapagos Islands is $111. 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 Fortaleza and Galapagos Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $46 for a double occupancy room in Fortaleza If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
The prices for places to stay in Galapagos Islands can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $52, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $104.
Food
The price of a meal in Fortaleza can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $19 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $7.60 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
The average traveler spends about $27 per day in Galapagos Islands for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Fortaleza $19
Galapagos Islands $27
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Fortaleza than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $16 on transportation in Fortaleza on average per day.
To get around in Galapagos Islands, the average visitor spends $43 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.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza
Also for Fortaleza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Transfer Fortaleza - Jericoacoara:
$385
-
Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Jericoacoara by Minivan:
$336
-
Private One-Way Transfer from Pinto Martins Airport:
$299
-
Private One Way Airport Transfer - Canoa Quebrada:
$270
-
Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Jericoacoara by Sedan Car:
$253
-
Jericoacoara Private Transfer From Fortaleza:
$240
-
Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Jericoacoara:
$228
-
Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Icaraí-Amontada:
$149
-
Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Canoa Quebrada:
$133
-
Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Flexeiras:
$124
-
Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Mundaú:
$124
-
Transfer 4 X 4 Fortaleza to Jericoacoara or Jericoacoara to Fortaleza:
$120
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galapagos Islands
Also for Galapagos Islands, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Transfer In from Baltra Airport to Hotels in Santa Cruz Island:
$115
Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or Galapagos Islands?
Prices for flights to both Galapagos Islands 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Fortaleza, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $12 per day, per person.
In Galapagos Islands, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $28 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Fortaleza
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fortaleza.
-
Beach Park Full-Day Trip Including Brief Tour of Fortaleza:
$35
-
Canoa Quebrada Tour from Fortaleza - With Transportation, Guide and Buggy Ride:
$100
-
Cumbuco Beach with City Tour from Fortaleza:
$14
-
Fortaleza & Cumbuco Beach Full Day Tour:
$21
-
Fortaleza City Tour:
$18
-
Fortaleza Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$31
-
1-Day Tour to Morro Branco:
$48
-
2-Hour Morning City Tour:
$21
-
From Full-Day City and Beach Park Tour:
$35
-
Full-Day Guided Tour in Jericoacoara from Fortaleza:
$100
-
Tour to Aguas Belas Beach:
$24
-
Tour to Canoa Quebrada Beach:
$29
Tours and Activities in Galapagos Islands
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galapagos Islands.
-
4-Day Budget Isabela Tour:
$1,106
-
4-Day Galapagos Islands Express Tour:
$714
-
4-Day Galapagos Land Tour Visiting Isabela and Santa Cruz:
$876
-
4-Day Galapagos Tour: Santa Cruz & 2 Uninhabited Islands:
$1,239
-
4-day Galapagos on a Budget Experience:
$1,090
-
5 days in Galapagos | Bonita Tourist Superior Cruise | Northern Itinerary 2021:
$2,287
-
5-Day Cruise of Galapagos Islands:
$2,849
-
5-Day Galapagos Diving Tour: Accommodation and Full-Day Diving Excursions:
$1,286
-
5-Day Guided Galapagos & Los Tuneles Tour:
$1,289
-
5-Day Tour Galapagos Multisport:
$1,599
-
5-day Galapagos on a Budget Experience:
$1,195
-
6 Days in Galapagos | Eco Galaxy First Class Cruise | Western Itinerary 2021:
$4,590
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Fortaleza, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $7.78.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Galapagos Islands, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $12.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Galapagos Islands, we can see that Galapagos Islands is more expensive. And not only is Fortaleza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Galapagos Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galapagos Islands than you might in Fortaleza.
Related Articles for Fortaleza
Related Articles for Galapagos Islands
