Which place is cheaper, Medellin 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 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.
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Fortaleza Prices
Brazil PricesMedellin Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFortaleza $88Medellin $31
The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $88, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $31. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFortaleza $30Medellin $4.91
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFortaleza $60Medellin $9.82
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fortaleza $21Medellin $4.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza
Also for Fortaleza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Fortaleza by Sedan: $72
- Cumbuco Shared Transfer From Fortaleza: $46
- Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza - Arrival Private Transfer: $33
- Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $95
- Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza Round-Trip Private Transfer: $67
- Fortaleza Airport Private Transfer: $53
- Fortaleza Airport Shared Transfer: $39
- Fortaleza Airport to Cumbuco–Way Transfer: $47
- Fortaleza Round-Trip Airport Transfers: $52
- Fortaleza Roundtrip Airport Transfers: $41
- Fortaleza to Fortaleza Airport (FOR) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
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Taxi$1.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Medellin Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $182
- Arrival Transfer Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin City by Minivan: $167
- Private Shooting Experience with Transfers: $145
- Medellin Coffee Tour with transfer: $123
- Airport Transfers: $120
- PRIVATE Transfer Jose Maria Cordova Airport - Up to 13 People: $119
- Private Transfer Jose Marie Cordova Airport to Medellin Bello: $100
- Medellín: Santa Elena Coffee Farm Tour w/Lunch & Transfer: $95
- Medellín: Guatapé and Medellín City Door-to-Door Transfer: $93
- Private Tejo Sport Experience with Transfer & Beer: $92
- Medellín to or from Guatapé Private Transfer: $78
- Medellín to or from Guatapé Private Transfer: $73
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
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Food Meals for one dayFortaleza $42Medellin $17
Typical Food Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
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Lunch$2.17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Medellín: Comuna 13 True Story and Street Food Tour: $11
- Medellín: Empanada Cooking Class by Local Chef in Comuna 13: $19
- A night in Medellín: food tour and bars in El Poblado!: $32
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Street Art and Street Food Tour: $38
- Empanada Cooking Class by Local Chef in Comuna 13 (Small Groups): $39
- Food tour with 12 tastings in the best area of Medellin: $40
- Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $45
- Street Food Tour in Medellín with Tastings: $55
- Medellín: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings (El Poblado): $56
- Cooking Class Preparing Colombian Empanadas: $56
- Private Night City Tour on Electric Bicycle + Gourmet Dinner: $59
- Gastronomy and Street Food Tour in Sabaneta Colombia Experience: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fortaleza $15Medellin $13
Tours and Activities in Fortaleza
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fortaleza.
- Cumbuco Beach Tour: $11
- 3 Beaches in 1 Day Tour Leaving Fortaleza: $13
- Full Day Tour to Cumbuco From Fortaleza: $13
- Águas Belas Tour: $15
- Lagoinha Beach Tour: $17
- Tour 3 beaches in 1 day: $19
- Canoa Quebrada Beach Tour with Nettour: $20
- Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $24
- Fortaleza Panoramic City Tour with visit to Cumbuco Beach: $24
- Tour 3 Beaches in 1 day (Morro Branco, Praia das Fontes and Canoa Quebrada): $24
- Panoramic City Tour with Cumbuco Beach - ForYou Receptive: $24
- Jericoacoara Tour in a Full Day - Leaving Fortaleza by Girafatur: $26
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- “Exclusive Mountain Escape : ATV Tour from Medellin with lunch: $130
- 2 Day Private Jardin Tour with Activities from Medellin: $260
- 2 Hour Medellin Off Road ATV Experiences: $160
- 2-Hours Street Art Walking Tour in Medellin Comuna 13: $24
- 3 Towns Colonial Private Tour Leaving from Medellin: $130
- 4 hours Private Pablo Escobar Dark days Tour of Medellin: $60
- 4-Hour Medellin, Envigado & Sabaneta Three County Tour: $79
- 90 Minute Walking Tour of Guatapé: $16
- A Taste of Colombia Medellin Market Tour and Lunch: $49
- ATV Adventure in Medellin's Mountains: $96
- ATV Adventure: Mountains and Forest Tour: $132
- ATV Tours from Medellin: $133
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFortaleza $10Medellin $7.46
Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl in El Poblado with Drinks, Games and VIP: $7.50
- Guided Medellin Pub Crawl: $18
- Rooftop Bar Crawl with VIP Access & Hidden Clubs: $27
- Medellín Nightlife: Rooftop Bar Crawl: $85
- Medellin Private Bar Crawl: $145
- NightOUT Medellin Gay Bar Crawl: $150
- Medellin LGBTQ Rooftop Bar Crawl: $150
- Medellín Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks: $175
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.
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.