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

Should you visit Fortaleza or San Fernando?

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 San Fernando 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 San Fernando?

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.

San Fernando

As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.

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


Which place is cheaper, San Fernando 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 San Fernando is $153. 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 San Fernando in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fortaleza $30
    San Fernando $74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fortaleza $60
    San Fernando $148
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and San Fernando

Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza or San Fernando? 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 San Fernando


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
    San Fernando $50

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: $259
  • 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 : $180
  • Private Transfer from Fortaleza to Canoa Quebrada: $173
  • Fortaleza Airport to Canoa Quebrada One–Way Transfer: $160
  • Transfer Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $153
  • Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Icaraí-Amontada : $131
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Fortaleza by Minivan: $117

Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or San Fernando?

Prices for flights to both San Fernando 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
    San Fernando $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fortaleza $15
    San Fernando $28

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: $26
  • City-Tour and Fortaleza (central market, cathedral, Fort, Theaters, encetur, P.ferreira: $56
  • Cumbuco Beach Tour: $12
  • Cumbuco Beach with City Tour from Fortaleza: $16
  • Fortaleza City Tour : $26
  • Fortaleza Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $31
  • 4-Hour City Car Tour: $266

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fortaleza $9.97
    San Fernando $22


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


Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or San Fernando?

Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of San Fernando. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza and San Fernando, 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 San Fernando?

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

Should I visit Fortaleza or San Fernando in the Summer?

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

Fortaleza is around the same temperature as San Fernando in the summer. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and San Fernando fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in San Fernando. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Fernando during summer. Fortaleza gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while San Fernando receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. It's quite rainy in Fortaleza. In January, Fortaleza usually receives less rain than San Fernandoin July. Fortaleza gets 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Fortaleza 28°C (82°F) 
    San Fernando 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Fortaleza or San Fernando in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Fortaleza is around the same temperature as San Fernando. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Fortaleza in April average around 27°C (80°F), and San Fernando averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.

In San Fernando, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Fortaleza often gets less sunshine than San Fernandoin October. Fortaleza gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Fernando receives 207 hours of full sun.

San Fernando gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually gets more rain in April than San Fernandoin October. Fortaleza gets 356 mm (14 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Fortaleza 27°C (80°F) 
    San Fernando 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Fortaleza or San Fernando in the Winter?

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

In July, Fortaleza is generally around the same temperature as San Fernandoin January. Daily temperatures in Fortaleza average around 26°C (79°F), and San Fernando fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando this time of the year. In Fortaleza, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fortaleza usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Fernando during winter. Fortaleza gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while San Fernando receives 241 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Fortaleza usually receives more rain than San Fernandoin January. Fortaleza gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Fortaleza 26°C (79°F) 
    San Fernando 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Fortaleza or San Fernando in the Spring?

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

Fortaleza is around the same temperature as San Fernando in the spring. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and San Fernando fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fortaleza this time of the year. In the spring, Fortaleza often gets more sunshine than San Fernandoin April. Fortaleza gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Fernando receives 238 hours of full sun.

Fortaleza usually gets less rain in October than San Fernandoin April. Fortaleza gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Typical Weather for San Fernando and Fortaleza

Fortaleza San Fernando
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 26°C (78°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 27°C (80°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 26°C (80°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 356 mm (14 in) 27°C (81°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 256 mm (10.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Jun 26°C (80°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 252 mm (9.9 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 266 mm (10.5 in)
Aug 27°C (80°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 225 mm (8.9 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 203 mm (8 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 199 mm (7.8 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in)
Dec 28°C (82°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 155 mm (6.1 in)