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

Should you visit Fortaleza or Granada?

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 Granada 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 Granada?

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.

Granada

Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.


Which place is cheaper, Granada 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 Granada is $40. 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 Granada in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fortaleza $30
    Granada $17
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fortaleza $60
    Granada $34
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and Granada

Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza or Granada? 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 Granada


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 Granada Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fortaleza $21
    Granada $8.57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza

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

  • Transfer leaving from the Fortaleza waterfront to Beach Park: $8.97
  • Shared Airport Transfer to Fortaleza Hotels: $9.58
  • Transfer to Beach Park: $12
  • Beach Park Round-Trip Transfer: $13
  • Fortaleza to Pinto Martins Airport (FOR) - Departure Transfer: $16
  • Pinto Martins Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza-Arrival Private Transfer: $16
  • Beach Park Transfer from Fortaleza: $16
  • Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza - Arrival Private Transfer: $16
  • Roundtrip transfer from Pinto Martins Airport to Hotels in Fortaleza: $18
  • Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Fortaleza City: $25
  • Private transfer: Fortaleza International Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza: $26
  • Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Granada:

  • One-Way Private Transfer From/To Airport or Hotels in Granada: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or Granada?

Prices for flights to both Granada 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
    Granada $14

Typical Food Prices in Granada

Some typical examples of dining costs in Granada are as follows:


  • Pizza
    $2.29

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fortaleza $15
    Granada $10

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Granada

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Granada are as follows:


  • Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour
    $8.17

Tours and Activities in Granada

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Granada are as follows:

  • Bird Watching Tour: $90
  • Boat Tour and Granada City Tour: $120
  • Charming Granada Outdoor "Private Tour" : $92
  • Experience Granadas Best Sights Carriage ride + Local Guide: $65
  • Fabulous Night Tour in Masaya Volcano from Granada: $158
  • From Full-Day Tour to 6 Attractions with Lunch incl: $125
  • Full Day Tour Isletas + Pueblos Blancos + Laguna from Granada: $120
  • Full Day Tour in Granada with Volcano Visit: $224
  • Full-Day Tour: Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60
  • Granada City Tour: $40
  • Granada Colonial City Tour and Masaya Volcano: $130
  • Granada Kayak Tour: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fortaleza $9.97
    Granada $7.50

Typical Alcohol Prices in Granada

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Granada:


  • Tequila
    $1.36


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

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


Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or Granada?

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


When is the best time to visit Fortaleza or Granada?

Fortaleza has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Granada experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Fortaleza or Granada in the Summer?

Both Granada and Fortaleza during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Granada year-round.

In the summer, Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Granada. Typically, the summer temperatures in Fortaleza in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Granada averages at about 27°C (81°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Fortaleza. In the summer, Fortaleza often gets more sunshine than Granadain July. Fortaleza gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 175 hours of full sun.

Granada gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually gets less rain in January than Granadain July. Fortaleza gets 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Granada receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Fortaleza 28°C (82°F) 
    Granada 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Fortaleza or Granada in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Fortaleza and Granada. Granada attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Fortaleza is generally around the same temperature as Granadain October. Daily temperatures in Fortaleza average around 27°C (80°F), and Granada fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Fortaleza usually receives less sunshine than Granada during autumn. Fortaleza gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Granada receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Fortaleza gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Fortaleza usually receives more rain than Granadain October. Fortaleza gets 356 mm (14 in) of rain, while Granada receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Fortaleza 27°C (80°F) 
    Granada 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Fortaleza or Granada in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Fortaleza as well as Granada. The warm climate attracts visitors to Granada throughout the year.

Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Granada in the winter. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Granada fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fortaleza this time of the year. In the winter, Fortaleza often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Granadain January. Fortaleza gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 244 hours of full sun.

Fortaleza usually gets more rain in July than Granadain January. Fortaleza gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Granada receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Fortaleza 26°C (79°F) 
    Granada 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Fortaleza or Granada in the Spring?

Both Granada and Fortaleza are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Granada. Typically, the spring temperatures in Fortaleza in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Granada averages at about 29°C (84°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Granada. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually receives more sunshine than Granada during spring. Fortaleza gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Fortaleza usually receives more rain than Granadain April. Fortaleza gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Granada receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Fortaleza 28°C (82°F) 
    Granada 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Granada and Fortaleza

Fortaleza Granada
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 27°C (80°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 356 mm (14 in) 29°C (84°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 256 mm (10.1 in) 29°C (84°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Jun 26°C (80°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)
Aug 27°C (80°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 151 mm (5.9 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.8 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 31°C (88°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 28°C (82°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)