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

Should you visit Fortaleza or Montanita?

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 Montanita 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 Montanita?

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.

Montanita

Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Montanita 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 Montanita is $96. 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 Montanita in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fortaleza $30
    Montanita $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fortaleza $60
    Montanita $82
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and Montanita

Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza or Montanita? 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 Montanita


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fortaleza $21
    Montanita $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: $255
  • 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 : $177
  • Private Transfer from Fortaleza to Canoa Quebrada: $173
  • Transfer Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $150
  • Departure Private Transfer: Fortaleza City to Fortaleza Airport FOR by Minivan: $117
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Fortaleza by Minivan: $117
  • Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Flexeiras: $109

Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or Montanita?

Prices for flights to both Montanita 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
    Montanita $28

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: $27

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fortaleza $15
    Montanita $31

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: $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 City Tour : $26
  • Fortaleza Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $31
  • Half-Day City Tour: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fortaleza $9.97
    Montanita $7.86


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Montanita, we can see that Montanita is more expensive. And not only is Fortaleza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Montanita would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montanita 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 Montanita Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Fortaleza or Montanita?

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

Should I visit Fortaleza or Montanita in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Montanita. Typically, the summer temperatures in Fortaleza in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Montanita averages at about 25°C (78°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during summer. Fortaleza gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 107 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Fortaleza. In January, Fortaleza usually receives more rain than Montanitain July. Fortaleza gets 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Fortaleza 28°C (82°F) 
    Montanita 25°C (78°F)

Should I visit Fortaleza or Montanita in the Autumn?

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

In April, Fortaleza is generally around the same temperature as Montanitain October. Daily temperatures in Fortaleza average around 27°C (80°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

In the autumn, Fortaleza often gets more sunshine than Montanitain October. Fortaleza gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 117 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually gets more rain in April than Montanitain October. Fortaleza gets 356 mm (14 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Fortaleza 27°C (80°F) 
    Montanita 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Fortaleza or Montanita in the Winter?

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

Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Montanita in the winter. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in January.

In Fortaleza, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fortaleza usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during winter. Fortaleza gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Fortaleza usually receives more rain than Montanitain January. Fortaleza gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Fortaleza 26°C (79°F) 
    Montanita 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Fortaleza or Montanita in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Montanita. Typically, the spring temperatures in Fortaleza in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Montanita averages at about 27°C (81°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fortaleza this time of the year. In the spring, Fortaleza often gets more sunshine than Montanitain April. Fortaleza gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 133 hours of full sun.

Fortaleza usually gets less rain in October than Montanitain April. Fortaleza gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Fortaleza 28°C (82°F) 
    Montanita 27°C (81°F)

Typical Weather for Montanita and Fortaleza

Fortaleza Montanita
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 27°C (80°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 27°C (80°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 356 mm (14 in) 27°C (81°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 256 mm (10.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Jun 26°C (80°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 25°C (78°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Aug 27°C (80°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 25°C (78°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Dec 28°C (82°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 27°C (80°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)