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

Should you visit Fortaleza or Roatan?

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 Roatan 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 Roatan?

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.

Roatan

Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.

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


Which place is cheaper, Roatan 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 Roatan is $38. 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 Roatan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fortaleza $30
    Roatan $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fortaleza $60
    Roatan $22
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and Roatan

Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza or Roatan? 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 Roatan


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 Roatan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fortaleza $21
    Roatan $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza

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

  • Transfer leaving from the Fortaleza waterfront to Beach Park: $8.97
  • Shared Airport Transfer to Fortaleza Hotels: $9.58
  • Transfer to Beach Park: $12
  • Beach Park Round-Trip Transfer: $13
  • Fortaleza to Pinto Martins Airport (FOR) - Departure Transfer: $16
  • Pinto Martins Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza-Arrival Private Transfer: $16
  • Beach Park Transfer from Fortaleza: $16
  • Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza - Arrival Private Transfer: $16
  • Roundtrip transfer from Pinto Martins Airport to Hotels in Fortaleza: $18
  • Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Fortaleza City: $25
  • Private transfer: Fortaleza International Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza: $26
  • Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $29

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:


  • Water Taxi
    $4.26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:

  • Roatan Buggy Adventure, Snorkeling, Beach Pass plus Private Transfer: $207
  • Roatan Buggy Adventure, Monkey & Sloth Park, Beach Pass plus Private Transfer: $207
  • North Side Blue Channel & Starfish Snorkeling, 20min JetSki, Transfer Included: $165
  • Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $142
  • Horseback Riding, Beach with Palapa and Transfer: $130
  • East Sightseeing, Mangrove Tunnel Snorkel, Hole in the Wall, with Transfer: $130
  • Parasailing adventure with round trip transfers included: $130
  • South Side Horseback Riding, Beach Break & Roundway Transfer: $120
  • Roatan Special Catamaran for Cruise Ship Passengers plus Transfer: $113
  • Discover Scuba Diving in Roatan at Upachaya with Private Transfer: $110
  • Transfers, Zip Line and Monkey Park: $110
  • Roatan East End Cultural Experience, Island Lunch & Private Transfer: $99

Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or Roatan?

Prices for flights to both Roatan 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
    Roatan $9.43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan

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

  • Tiki Boat Sunset Cruise in Roatan with Snorkeling and Dinner : $100
  • Cooking classes from a Local!: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fortaleza $15
    Roatan $27

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
  • 3 Beaches in 1 Day Tour Leaving Fortaleza: $13
  • Lagoinha Beach Tour: $14
  • Águas Belas Tour: $15
  • Cumbuco Beach with City Tour from Fortaleza: $16
  • Lagoinha Beach Tour: $17
  • Tour 3 beaches in 1 day: $18
  • One Day Bus Tour of Fortaleza and Cumbuco Beach: $18
  • Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $19
  • Canoa Quebrada Beach Tour with Nettour: $20
  • The colorful sands of Morro Branco beach - Full Day Tour: $22

Tours and Activities in Roatan

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:

  • Mangrove cruise garífuna Culture sightseeing and Lunch : $89
  • Shore Excursion: VIP Island City Tour and Drift Snorkel : $60
  • Shore Excursion: Zip & Dip Adventure: $69
  • Sloths Sanctuary/Monkeys Play + Dune Buggy/ATV Adventure & Private Beach Resort: $139
  • 2 Hour Zip Lining Private Tour in Mahogany Bay: $65
  • 4-Hour East Side Roatan Private Guided Tour with Canoe Ride: $120
  • ATV Safari and Horseback Adventure at Mahogany Bay: $110
  • Adventures of Roatan ATV Pineapple beach break: $120
  • Animal Sightings and Walking Tour at Gumbalimba Park with Addons: $90
  • Atv Island Tour: $85
  • Cruise Excursion – 2 Scuba Dives with transport (for certified divers): $175
  • Cruise Ship Family Sloth & Monkeys, West Tour, Beach plus Private Vehicle: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fortaleza $9.97
    Roatan $7.07

Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:

  • Half-Day Tour in Roatan With Brewery, Rum and Chocolate Factories visit: $46
  • Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Roatan, we can see that Fortaleza is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fortaleza is in South America and Roatan is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Roatan.

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


Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or Roatan?

Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 320 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza and Roatan, 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.