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

Should you visit Fortaleza or Piriapolis?

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 Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis?

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.

Piriapolis

Piriapolis is a small beach town between Montevideo and Punta del Este in Uruguay. It is a more laid back version of Punta del Este with fewer fancy restaurants and clubs but it has perhaps more charm, with its grand old hotel and beachfront promenade backed by small mountains. The rather old-school coastal resort is vaguely reminiscent of a Mediterranean beach town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, and The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay.


Which place is cheaper, Piriapolis or Fortaleza?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $83, while the average daily cost in Piriapolis is $81. 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 Piriapolis in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fortaleza $29
    Piriapolis $26
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fortaleza $58
    Piriapolis $52
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and Piriapolis

Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza or Piriapolis? 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 Piriapolis


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 Piriapolis Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fortaleza $20
    Piriapolis $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza

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

  • 4x4 Transfer Private Service Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $268
  • Beach Park Transfer from Fortaleza: $19
  • Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
  • Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
  • Fortaleza Airport Private Transfer: $40
  • Fortaleza Roundtrip Airport Transfers: $38
  • Fortaleza to Fortaleza Airport (FOR) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
  • Jericoacoara - Fortaleza x Jericoacoara transfer: $105
  • Private Transfer from Carmel Charme Resort to Fortaleza (FOR) Airport: $86
  • Private Transfer from Cumbuco to Fortaleza (FOR) Airport: $48
  • Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Beberibe: $87
  • Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Canoa Quebrada: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or Piriapolis?

Prices for flights to both Piriapolis 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 $39
    Piriapolis $38

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fortaleza $15
    Piriapolis $5.68

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: $12
  • 3 Beaches in 1 Day Tour Leaving Fortaleza: $12
  • Lagoinha Beach Tour: $14
  • Águas Belas Tour: $14
  • Lagoinha Beach Tour: $16
  • Tour 3 beaches in 1 day: $17
  • Fortaleza Panoramic City Tour with visit to Cumbuco Beach: $19
  • Tour 3 Beaches in 1 day (Morro Branco, Praia das Fontes and Canoa Quebrada): $23
  • Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $23
  • Jericoacoara Tour in a Full Day - Leaving Fortaleza by Girafatur: $25
  • City Tour Fortaleza - Full Day Cumbuco Beach Tour by Nettour: $25
  • Historical and Cultural City Tour of Fortaleza: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fortaleza $9.58
    Piriapolis $7.82


When comparing the travel costs between Fortaleza and Piriapolis, we can see that Fortaleza is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or Piriapolis?

Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 300 times larger than the population of Piriapolis. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza and Piriapolis, 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 Piriapolis?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Fortaleza or Piriapolis in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Fortaleza as well as Piriapolis. Most visitors come to Fortaleza for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Fortaleza is a little warmer than Piriapolis. Typically, the summer temperatures in Fortaleza in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Piriapolis averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Piriapolis. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fortaleza this time of the year. In the summer, Fortaleza often gets less sunshine than Piriapolis. Fortaleza gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Piriapolis receives 296 hours of full sun.

Fortaleza receives a lot of rain in the summer. Fortaleza usually gets more rain in January than Piriapolis. Fortaleza gets 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Piriapolis receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, July to January in Fortaleza is the dry season. January to July in Fortaleza is the rainy season.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Fortaleza 28°C (82°F) 
    Piriapolis 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Fortaleza or Piriapolis in the Autumn?

Both Piriapolis and Fortaleza are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Fortaleza because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In April, Fortaleza is generally much warmer than Piriapolis. Daily temperatures in Fortaleza average around 27°C (80°F), and Piriapolis fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Fortaleza usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Piriapolis during autumn. Fortaleza gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Piriapolis receives 171 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Fortaleza. In April, Fortaleza usually receives more rain than Piriapolis. Fortaleza gets 356 mm (14 in) of rain, while Piriapolis receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Fortaleza 27°C (80°F) 
    Piriapolis 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Fortaleza or Piriapolis in the Winter?

Both Piriapolis and Fortaleza during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Fortaleza this time of year.

Fortaleza is much warmer than Piriapolis in the winter. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Piriapolis fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

It's quite sunny in Fortaleza. In the winter, Fortaleza often gets more sunshine than Piriapolis. Fortaleza gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Piriapolis receives 135 hours of full sun.

Fortaleza usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Piriapolis. Fortaleza gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Piriapolis receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year. July to January is the dry season in Fortaleza. January to July is the rainy season in Fortaleza.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Fortaleza 26°C (79°F) 
    Piriapolis 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Fortaleza or Piriapolis in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Fortaleza and Piriapolis. Many travelers come to Fortaleza for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Fortaleza is much warmer than Piriapolis. Typically, the spring temperatures in Fortaleza in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Piriapolis averages at about 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Piriapolis this time of the year. In Fortaleza, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fortaleza usually receives more sunshine than Piriapolis during spring. Fortaleza gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Piriapolis receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Fortaleza usually receives less rain than Piriapolis. Fortaleza gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Piriapolis receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Fortaleza 28°C (82°F) 
    Piriapolis 16°C (61°F)

Typical Weather for Piriapolis and Fortaleza

Fortaleza Piriapolis
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Mar 27°C (80°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 20°C (68°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 356 mm (14 in) 17°C (63°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 256 mm (10.1 in) 14°C (57°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Jun 26°C (80°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 10°C (50°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Aug 27°C (80°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 11°C (52°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Dec 28°C (82°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)