Which place is cheaper, Manaus or Fortaleza?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Fortaleza or Manaus?
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 Manaus 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 Manaus?
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.
Manaus
Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFortaleza $69Manaus $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $69, while the average daily cost in Manaus is $59. 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 Manaus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFortaleza $30Manaus $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFortaleza $60Manaus $84
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and Manaus
Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza or Manaus? 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 Manaus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fortaleza $21Manaus $7.94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza
Also for Fortaleza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to Beach Park: $11
- Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $28
- Transfer Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $300
- Transfer Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $150
- Transfer 4x4 Regular Service Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $75
- Transfer 4 X 4 Fortaleza to Jericoacoara or Jericoacoara to Fortaleza: $240
- Shared Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $104
- Shared Transfer from Fortaleza to Cumbuco: $49
- Shared Transfer from Fortaleza to Aquiraz: $88
- Round trip transfer to Jericoacoara: $56
- Private transfer: Fortaleza to Fortaleza International Airport (FOR): $26
- Private transfer: Fortaleza International Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza: $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus
Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 24-hour private group transfer service airport -> hotel: $97
- Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Eduardo Gomes International Airport: $72
- Manaus Airport(MAO) to Manaus hotels- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Transfers from the airport to any place in Manaus City: $40
- Transfer from Manaus Airport to Manaus City: $40
- Private Transfer - Airport - Hotel / Hotel - Airport: $35
- Manaus private Airport transfer: $30
- Manaus Airport (MAO) to Manaus hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Manaus hotels to Manaus Airport(MAO) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or Manaus?
Prices for flights to both Manaus 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 $24Manaus $12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus
For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $42
- Food Tour: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fortaleza $15Manaus -
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
- Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $19
- City Tour Fortaleza - Full Day Cumbuco Beach Tour by Nettour: $25
- City-Tour and Fortaleza (central market, cathedral, Fort, Theaters, encetur, P.ferreira: $55
- Cumbuco Beach Tour: $11
- Cumbuco Beach with City Tour from Fortaleza: $16
- Fortaleza Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $31
- Half-Day City Tour: $25
- Full Day Premium Tour in Jericoacoara: $88
- Full Day Tour to Cumbuco From Fortaleza: $11
Tours and Activities in Manaus
For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Jewish Tour in Manaus in the Amazon from 4 to 5 hours: $147
- Adventure: 4-hour hike in the Amazon rainforest: $150
- Amazon Experience: meet a native village and swim with porpoises: $80
- Amazon Jungle Experience with Overnight: $300
- Amazon Jungle: 3- or 4-Day Tour at Ipanema River Guest House: $200
- Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
- Amazon Private Safari by Tuhiri Eco Tour - Leaving Manaus: $199
- Amazon River Stand Up Paddling Tour: $124
- Amazon Waterfalls Tour: $70
- Amazon and Negro Rivers Experience with Night Exploration Tour: $300
- City Tour Plus Amazon River Tour: $100
- City Tour in Manaus at Teatro Amazonas and Praça da Matriz: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFortaleza $9.97Manaus $2.84
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Manaus, we can see that Fortaleza is more expensive. And not only is Manaus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Manaus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manaus 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 Manaus.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fortaleza Expensive? and Is Manaus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or Manaus?
Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 50% larger than the population of Manaus. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza and Manaus, 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 Manaus?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Fortaleza or Manaus in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Fortaleza and Manaus.
Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Manaus in the summer. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Manaus fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Fortaleza, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fortaleza usually receives more sunshine than Manaus during summer. Fortaleza gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Manaus receives 114 hours of full sun in the summer.
Manaus receives a lot of rain in the summer. Fortaleza gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Fortaleza usually receives less rain than Manaus. Fortaleza gets 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 264 mm (10.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryFortaleza 28°C (82°F)Manaus 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Fortaleza or Manaus in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Fortaleza as well as Manaus.
In the autumn, Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Manaus. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Fortaleza in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Manaus averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In the autumn, Fortaleza often gets more sunshine than Manaus. Fortaleza gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manaus receives 112 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Manaus. Fortaleza receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Fortaleza usually gets more rain in April than Manaus. Fortaleza gets 356 mm (14 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 311 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilFortaleza 27°C (80°F)Manaus 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Fortaleza or Manaus in the Winter?
Both Manaus and Fortaleza are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In July, Fortaleza is generally around the same temperature as Manaus. Daily temperatures in Fortaleza average around 26°C (79°F), and Manaus fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Manaus. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually receives more sunshine than Manaus during winter. Fortaleza gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Manaus receives 214 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Fortaleza usually receives more rain than Manaus. Fortaleza gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 85 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyFortaleza 26°C (79°F)Manaus 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Fortaleza or Manaus in the Spring?
Both Manaus and Fortaleza during the spring are popular places to visit.
Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Manaus in the spring. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Manaus fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It's quite sunny in Fortaleza. In the spring, Fortaleza often gets more sunshine than Manaus. Fortaleza gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manaus receives 171 hours of full sun.
Manaus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Fortaleza usually gets less rain in October than Manaus. Fortaleza gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberFortaleza 28°C (82°F)Manaus 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manaus and Fortaleza
| Fortaleza | Manaus | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 264 mm (10.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 356 mm (14 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 311 mm (12.3 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (80°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.6 in) |
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.