Which place is cheaper, Costa de Prata or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Funchal or Costa de Prata?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Costa de Prata? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Funchal or Costa de Prata?
Funchal
Funchal is the capital city of the autonomous region of Madeira on the island of Madeira. The city is located to the south between the cities of Santa Cruz and Camara de Lobos. It is actually named for the fennel plant which grows liberally on the island. The city was most significant as a shipping center between the 15th and 17th centuries. Today it has a population of over 100,000 people and is, arguably, one of the most picturesque cities in Portugal. It's appeal as a tourist destination has made it the leading Portuguese port for cruise line dockings.
Costa de Prata
Costa de Prata is a region located on the Silver Coast of Portugal, an hour north of Lisbon. The area is known for its beautiful beaches, ancient architecture, and relaxed, welcoming, atmosphere. The area experiences gorgeous weather nearly all year round, with temperatures in the high 70's and 80's Fahrenheit from May-September. June-August sees the warmest ocean temperatures, making these the best months for swimming. Even during their winter, temperatures rarely dip below 60°F, although ocean temperatures drop, making swimming a bit colder.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lisbon, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Lisbon.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €93Costa de Prata €151
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Costa de Prata is €151. 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 Funchal and Costa de Prata in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Costa de Prata €78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Costa de Prata €156
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Costa de Prata
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Costa de Prata? 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: Funchal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Costa de Prata €53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers Wheelchair Scooter Transfers Airport / Funchal: $87
- Transfer to Hiking Achada Teixeira - Pico Ruivo: $60
- Transfer Madeira Airport - Funchal: $35
- Private Transfer from Madeira Airport(FNC) to Madeira Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Funchal Airport to Madeira Island: $123
- Private One way Transfer Madeira Airport to or from Funchal: $22
- PR18 Levada do Rei Private transfer: $71
- Morning Self-Guided Hike Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo w/ Transfers: $33
- Minibus Transfer: Madeira Airport - Funchal: $38
- Minibus Transfer: Funchal - Madeira Airport: $38
- Madeira airport transfer for up to 8 people: $49
- Madeira Island Transfers: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Costa de Prata?
Prices for flights to both Costa de Prata and Funchal 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 dayFunchal €31Costa de Prata €44
Typical Food Prices in Funchal
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Funchal:
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Coffee€1.40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Funchal
For Funchal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Madeira Nights Tour - Dinner and Show: $41
- Sunset Tour to Pico do Arieiro with Dinner and Drinks included: $76
- Gourmet Wine & Food Tour: $112
- Gourmet Wine & Food Tour: $112
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Costa de Prata €13
Tours and Activities in Funchal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.
- Wheelchair Full Day Tour Porto Moniz E Sao Vicente : $190
- Wheelchair Handicap Full Day East Tour Santana Tour : $190
- “Le tour de Churchill” - From Funchal to Câmara de Lobos: $58
- Magnificent East Tour: $33
- 4 Days Tour Discovering Madeira: $279
- 4 Hours Adventure Jeep Tour in Central Madeira Portugal: $47
- 4x4 Jeep Safari Porto Moniz - the "Farowest" tour - Full Day Small Groups : $71
- Accessible Half Day Tour Cabo Girão: $120
- Adventure Trikes Private Tour in Madeira : $157
- Agriculture Green Tour : $93
- Amazing East Tour : $31
- Around The Island - Two Days Tour From 9am To 5pm (Each Day): $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Costa de Prata €8.13
Sample the Local Flavors in Funchal
Also in Funchal, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half day jeep Wine tour and tasting, & sea cliff adventure: $53
- Bestselling Wine Tour, Tasting Experience & Skywalk 4x4 Adventure: $53
- Wine tasting and Jeep Adventure in Madeira's Majestic Countryside: $55
- Pub Crawl: $59
- Shore Excursion: Private Madeira Tour & Wine Tasting: $86
- Guided Toboggan Ride and Madeira Wine Tasting Tour: $98
- Tuk Tuk Wine Tour - Madeira Island: $101
- Exclusive Wine Tasting in the Wine Region of Boaventura: $103
- Weekends Madeira Wine Tasting São Vicente: $109
- Visiting local Vineyard With Wine Tasting & Lunch included: $158
- Full Day Private Madeira Wine Tour from Funchal: $171
- Full-Day Madeira Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $190
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Costa de Prata, we can see that Costa de Prata is more expensive. And not only is Funchal much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Funchal would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Funchal 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 Costa de Prata would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Costa de Prata than you might in Funchal.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Funchal Expensive? and Is Costa de Prata Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Funchal or Costa de Prata?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Funchal or Costa de Prata in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Costa de Prata.
Funchal is around the same temperature as Costa de Prata in the summer. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Costa de Prata this time of the year. In Funchal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Costa de Prata during summer. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Costa de Prata receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Funchal usually receives less rain than Costa de Prata. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Costa de Prata 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Costa de Prata in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Costa de Prata.
In the autumn, Funchal is a little warmer than Costa de Prata. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Funchal in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Costa de Prata averages at about 18°C (65°F).
In the autumn, Funchal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Costa de Prata. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Costa de Prata receives 184 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Costa de Prata. Funchal receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Funchal usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Costa de Prata. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Costa de Prata 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Costa de Prata in the Winter?
Both Costa de Prata and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In January, Funchal is generally a little warmer than Costa de Prata. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 16°C (61°F), and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Funchal usually receives more sunshine than Costa de Prata during winter. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Costa de Prata receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Costa de Prata. It's quite rainy in Funchal. In January, Funchal usually receives less rain than Costa de Prata. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)Costa de Prata 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Costa de Prata in the Spring?
Both Costa de Prata and Funchal during the spring are popular places to visit.
Funchal is a little warmer than Costa de Prata in the spring. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In Costa de Prata, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Costa de Prata. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Costa de Prata receives 217 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets less rain in April than Costa de Prata. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Costa de Prata 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Costa de Prata and Funchal
| Funchal | Costa de Prata | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
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.