Which place is cheaper, Galapagos Islands or Fortaleza?
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 Fortaleza or Galapagos Islands?
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 Galapagos Islands 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 Galapagos Islands?
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Ecuador, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Ecuador.
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Fortaleza Prices
Brazil PricesGalapagos Islands Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFortaleza $88Galapagos Islands $160
The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $88, while the average daily cost in Galapagos Islands is $160. 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 Galapagos Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFortaleza $30Galapagos Islands $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFortaleza $60Galapagos Islands $130
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and Galapagos Islands
Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza or Galapagos Islands? 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: Fortaleza Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fortaleza $21Galapagos Islands $54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza
Also for Fortaleza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Fortaleza to Canoa Quebrada: $411
- Private Transfer From FOR to Any Point in Fortaleza City: $270
- Shared Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $240
- Private transfer in 4X4 Fortaleza A Jeri or Jeri A Fortaleza: $219
- Transfer 4x4 Fortaleza x Jericoacoara or Jericoacoara x Fortaleza: $211
- Transfer 4 X 4 Fortaleza to Jericoacoara or Jericoacoara to Fortaleza: $120
- Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Flexeiras: $118
- Shared Transfer from Fortaleza to Cumbuco: $117
- Jericoacoara - Fortaleza x Jericoacoara transfer: $111
- Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Lagoinha: $106
- Shared Transfer from Fortaleza to Aquiraz: $106
- Transfer 4x4 Regular Service Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galapagos Islands
Also for Galapagos Islands, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Baltra Airport to Hotels in Santa Cruz Island: $137
- Private Transfer from Hotels in Santa Cruz to Baltra Airport: $137
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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayFortaleza $42Galapagos Islands $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fortaleza $15Galapagos Islands $35
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
- Beach of Beautiful Waters + Barra Nova (including Buggy Tour): $52
- Canoa Quebrada Beach Tour with Nettour: $20
- Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $24
- City Tour Fortaleza - Full Day Cumbuco Beach Tour by Nettour: $26
- City Tour and Praia Futuro Beach: $163
- City-Tour Private in Fortaleza learn about acity and its history: $89
- Cumbuco Beach Tour: $11
- Cumbuco in 1 Day: Unforgettable Tour: $31
- Exploring Cumbuco: 1-Day Adventure: $31
Tours and Activities in Galapagos Islands
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galapagos Islands.
- Bay Tour in Santa Cruz - Galapagos Islands: $60
- Beach Wildlife and Snorkel Adventure with Underwater Specialist: $179
- BiciTour Giant Turtles and Lava Tunnel in Galapagos: $90
- Cabo Rosa (Tuneles) Hiking & Snorkeling Tour from Isabela: $199
- Day Tour to Floreana Island with Highland Tour and Snorkeling: $259
- Day Tour to Floreana Island with Snorkeling and Fishing: $259
- Day Tour to Isabela Island with Tintorera Islet, Snorkeling Wetlands & Flamingos: $269
- Day Tour to Santa Fe Island and Hidden Beach with snorkeling and fishing: $211
- Day tour to Pinzón Island and La Fé/Palmitas Bay with snorkeling and fishing: $229
- Day tour to San Cristobal Island with private Land Tour and snorkeling: $269
- Full Day Floreana Tour: $220
- Full Day Santa Fe Playa escondida snorkeling tour: $230
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFortaleza $10Galapagos Islands $15
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fortaleza Expensive? and Is Galapagos Islands Expensive?.
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.