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

Should you visit Fortaleza or Medellin?

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 Medellin 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 Medellin?

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.

Medellin

In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Medellin or Fortaleza?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $71, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $22. 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 Medellin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fortaleza $31
    Medellin $4.66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fortaleza $62
    Medellin $9.32
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and Medellin

Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza or Medellin? 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 Medellin


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 Medellin Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fortaleza $21
    Medellin $4.06

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza

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

  • 4x4 Private Transfer Service : $185
  • 4x4 Transfer Private Service Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $267
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Fortaleza by Minivan: $117
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Fortaleza by Sedan Car: $88
  • Beach Park Transfer from Fortaleza: $16
  • Departure Private Transfer: Fortaleza City to Fortaleza Airport FOR by Minivan: $117
  • Departure Private Transfer: Fortaleza City to Fortaleza Airport FOR by Sedan Car: $88
  • Departure Private Transfer: Jericoacoara to Fortaleza Airport FOR by Sedan Car: $253
  • Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza - Arrival Private Transfer: $17
  • Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
  • Fortaleza Airport Shared Transfer: $34
  • Fortaleza to Fortaleza Airport (FOR) - Departure Private Transfer: $17

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:


  • Taxi
    $1.62

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:

  • Private Transfer from MDE Airport to Hotels and City of Medellín: $120
  • PRIVATE Transfer Jose Maria Cordova Airport - Up to 13 People: $119
  • MiniSuv Departure Transfer from Medellin City to Medellin Airport: $98
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Medellin Airport to City by MiniSuv: $98
  • PRIVATE Transfer Jose Maria Cordova Airport - Up to 10 People: $90
  • Medellín to or from Guatapé Private Transfer: $63
  • Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) to Medellin - Round-trip transfer: $55
  • Transfer from or to Medellin's airport: $55
  • Transfer Jose Maria Cordoba Airport -Hotel or Accommodation: $55
  • Private Arrival Transfer : From Airport to Medellín Hotels : $54
  • Transfer José María Córdova Airport - Medellin - Private Ride Airport .. !!: $45
  • Transfer in private minivan Guatape- Medellin airport (MDE): $42

Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or Medellin?

Prices for flights to both Medellin 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
    Medellin $9.43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fortaleza

For Fortaleza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Thematic Show with Rotation of Pizzas in Aquiraz: $29

Typical Food Prices in Medellin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:


  • Lunch
    $2.06

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.

  • Cooking Class Preparing Colombian Empanadas: $39
  • Sabor Colombiano Cooking Studio: $60
  • Community project cooking class and Medellin social transformation tour: $66
  • Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $69
  • Half-Day Food Tour Visiting the Best Viewpoints in Medellín!: $75
  • Private tour: Street food tour, Eat like a Local in Medellin!: $85
  • Combo Tour: Street Art, Christmas Lights and Food Tour in Medellin: $131
  • Medellin Historical and Food Tour with Fernando Botero´s Plaza: $140
  • Comuna 13, Fruit & Street Food Tour: $166
  • Private tour: Medellin City – Pablo Escobar and Food Tour: $166
  • Combo Tour: Dark days & Christmas tour Including Lunch or Dinner: $166
  • A Night Out in Medellin with Dinner and Drinks Included: $175

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fortaleza $15
    Medellin $13

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
  • One Day Bus Tour of Fortaleza and Cumbuco Beach: $12
  • 3 Beaches in 1 Day Tour Leaving Fortaleza: $13
  • Tour 3 beaches in 1 day: $14
  • Águas Belas Tour: $15
  • Cumbuco Beach with City Tour from Fortaleza: $16
  • Lagoinha Beach Tour: $18
  • Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $20
  • The colorful sands of Morro Branco beach - Full Day Tour: $22
  • Tour 3 Beaches in 1 day (Morro Branco, Praia das Fontes and Canoa Quebrada): $23
  • Historical and Cultural City Tour of Fortaleza: $25

Tours and Activities in Medellin

Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Comuna 13 + Medellin City Tour: $230
  • Medellin City Private Tour: $83
  • Medellin City Walking Tour plus Metro Cable Cars: $83
  • Private Full Day Tour in Guatape: $40
  • Private tour Guatapé Peñol stone and coffee farm: $139
  • 1 Hour ATV Adventure Tour in Medellin : $140
  • 2 Days Medellin Coffee Farm Experience : $195
  • 2 Hour Medellin Off Road ATV Experiences: $160
  • 3 Hours City Tour in Medellin Colombia: $27
  • 3-Hour Private Guided Tour in Medellin: $57
  • 4 Hours Private Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour: $60
  • ATV Private Tour in Medellin: $138

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fortaleza $10
    Medellin $7.07

Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin

Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Live the Nightlife Rooftop Pub Crawl : $49
  • Medellin Private Bar Crawl: $89
  • Medellin Pub Crawl Including Food and City Tour: $139


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Medellin, we can see that Fortaleza is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Medellin.

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


Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or Medellin?

Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Medellin. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza and Medellin, 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.