Which place is cheaper, Guadalajara or Fortaleza?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Fortaleza or Guadalajara?
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 Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara?
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.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, as well as one of the country's largest cities. It is best known for tequila and mariachi music, which both originate in Jalisco, as well as a thriving historic center with colonial architecture and landmarks.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFortaleza $69Guadalajara $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $69, while the average daily cost in Guadalajara is $117. 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 Guadalajara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFortaleza $30Guadalajara $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFortaleza $60Guadalajara $84
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and Guadalajara
Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza or Guadalajara? 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 and Guadalajara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fortaleza $21Guadalajara $39
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 Guadalajara
Also for Guadalajara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from Guadalajara to Sayulita: $240
- Airport-Chapala/Ajijic Transfer: $229
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL): Transfer to Guadalajara hotels: $174
- Airport to City Transfer: $151
- Airport Transfer to Guadalajara Hotels: $119
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $98
- Guadalajara to Tequila - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $98
- Tequila to Guadalajara - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $98
- Private Transfer from Guadalajara city hotels to Manzanillo Port: $76
- Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Tequila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
- Private transfer: Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara: $73
- Guadalajara hotels to Guadalajara Airport (GDL) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or Guadalajara?
Prices for flights to both Guadalajara 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 $24Guadalajara $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fortaleza $15Guadalajara $28
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 Guadalajara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Guadalajara.
- 10-Day Audio Guide Tour of Guadalajara: $12
- 6 Hours Private Tour Guide in Guadalajara, you choose!: $144
- Air Adventure Paraglide over Incredible Landscapes: $156
- Canopy Experience Panoramic Flight in Zip Lines: $43
- Chapala Ajijic Area Tour from Guadalajara: $40
- Chapala and Ajijic Private Tour: $120
- Charreria heritage tour be a charro for a day: $50
- City tour in Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque: $94
- Complete Tour on the Tequila Route from Guadalajara: $58
- Downtown Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque Tour: $73
- Enjoy an exclusive Tequila Tour with a Tequila Master: $149
- From Chapala Lake & Ajijic Tour: $83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFortaleza $9.97Guadalajara $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Guadalajara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guadalajara:
- Guadalajara Arquitecture and Brewery Tour: $56
- Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town: $77
- Private One Day Adventure Tour in Tequila and La Fortaleza Distillery: $173
- Sip & Savor Tequila Experience Distillery w/ Lunch fr Guadalajara: $180
- Private Tour La Fortaleza Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour Cascahuin Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour one day in Guachimontones and La Fortaleza Distillery: $209
- Private Tour to Tequila Ocho Distillery and the Town of Arandas: $209
- Guachimontones and Tequila Distillery in One Day: $264
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Guadalajara, we can see that Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or Guadalajara?
Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Guadalajara. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza and Guadalajara, 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.
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.