Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or La Fortuna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Grand Cayman and La Fortuna. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Grand Cayman or La Fortuna?
Grand Cayman
When people think of the Cayman Islands, they typically think of offshore bank accounts and sunny, cruise ship ports. Grand Cayman has more to offer travelers than a playground for the wealthy or a short stopover for cruise passengers. This tropical island is the largest of the three Cayman Islands, it is a shopper's heaven, a center for global finance and an ideal vacation spot.
La Fortuna
La Fortuna is in San Carlos, in the province of Alajuela. It is the closest town to Arenal Volcano, and the area is often simply refered to as Arenal. The volcano itself is active and has been constantly erupting since 1968. It erupts on average 41 times a day. This area of northern Costa Rica is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.
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Grand Cayman Prices
Cayman Islands PricesLa Fortuna Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $242La Fortuna $136
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $242, while the average daily cost in La Fortuna is $136. 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 Grand Cayman and La Fortuna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $149La Fortuna $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $298La Fortuna $112
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and La Fortuna
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or La Fortuna? 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: Grand Cayman Hotel Prices and La Fortuna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31La Fortuna $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman
Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer to West Bay Accommodations (GCM)-Round Trip: $88
- Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town-Arrival Private Transfer: $150
- Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) to George Town Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $150
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:
- Transfer TO or FROM San Jose city to Arenal - Fortuna Area. Private: $230
- Transfer TO or FROM La Fortuna Area to SJO Airport. Private, NOT SHARED: $230
- Transfer From Liberia Airport To Arenal La Fortuna San Carlos: $54
- Transfer From Liberia Airport To Arenal La Fortuna San Carlos: $48
- Shared Transfer from La Fortuna to Liberia Airport: $50
- Scenic Transfer Between La Fortuna & Monteverde: $210
- San Jose Airport: Private transfer from/to La Fortuna: $270
- SJO Airport Transfer for 6 people to La Fortuna|Arenal Volcano: $220
- Puerto Viejo de Limon: Transfer to La Fortuna de Arenal: $400
- Private VIP Transfer La Fortuna to Tamarindo, Flamingo & Conchal: $299
- Private Transfer: La Fortuna Costa Rica: $235
- Private Transfer to/from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna Area (Arenal Volcano): $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or La Fortuna?
Prices for flights to both La Fortuna and Grand Cayman 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 dayGrand Cayman $67La Fortuna $52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Fortuna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Fortuna.
- Traditional cooking lesson with a local family: $37
- Arenal Volcano Hike Hot Springs and Dinner with Transportation: $45
- Farm to Table Cooking Class: $45
- Typical Costa Rican Cooking Classes in La Fortuna: $48
- Organic Farm Visit & Farm-to-Table Cooking Class: $50
- Costa Rica The Chela Cooking Experience: $60
- Costa Rican cuisine Cooking Class at Rancho Don Lelo: $60
- 3-Hour Costa Rican Cooking Class with Dinner: $68
- Arenal Boat Tour & Pirate Hot Springs Dinner: $69
- Sloth Tour with Cane Juice and Cooking Class: $70
- Cooking Class "Cook Like a Local" La Fortuna: $70
- Private cooking class in organic farm at La Fortuna: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41La Fortuna $48
Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman
For Grand Cayman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Diamonds and Cocktails a Shopping Experience in Grand Cayman: $10
- Bling and Beverages Cayman Jewelry Shopping Experience: $22
- Fun Family StingrayCity Adventure.: $55
- Stingray City Catamaran Sunset Tour: $59
- Stingray City Catamaran Sunset Tour: $59
- 4 Stops Tour: Stingray, Snorkeling, Starfish & 7 Mile Beach: $60
- Stingray City and Starfish Experience with Coral Reef Snorkeling: $62
- Cayman Best Stingray City Reef Snorkel and Starfish Point Tour: $63
- Stingray City Sandbar Experience: $65
- 3 Stop Boat Tour Stingray City Coral Gardens and Starfish Point: $65
- Oculus Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $66
- Stingrays and Starfish Point Tour: $70
Tours and Activities in La Fortuna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Fortuna are as follows:
- 12-Cable Zipline Canopy Tour Over Waterfalls: $115
- 2-in-1 Arenal Coffee and Chocolate Tour: $75
- 3-Hour Arenal Lake Flexi Pass Adventure In Costa Rica: $73
- 5-Day Pura Vida Adventure: Volcano and Jungle in Costa Rica: $1,099
- 7 Nights Costa Rica Fully Guided Adventure: $1,850
- 7-Cable Zipline Adventure: Fly Over La Fortuna Waterfall: $84
- 7-Cable Zipline Canopy Tour Over La Fortuna Waterfall: $95
- A day of Arenal Adventure 1968 and Spring: $96
- ARENAL FORTUNA CITY TOUR .: $30
- ATV Tour Quad Crater Impact and Forest Arenal Volcano: $113
- ATV Tour near Arenal Volcano, Jungle, and River Crossing: $165
- ATV Tour: Adventure tour in La Fortuna: $161
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13La Fortuna $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Grand Cayman
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Grand Cayman:
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Beer$4.96
Sample the Local Flavors in Grand Cayman
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Grand Cayman:
- Cayman Spirits Co. Distillery Tour Pass Ticket Only: $24
- Distillery Tour with Gin Tasting: $75
- Cayman Art and Wine Tour: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and La Fortuna, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is La Fortuna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and La Fortuna 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 La Fortuna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Fortuna 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 Grand Cayman would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grand Cayman than you might in La Fortuna.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Grand Cayman Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or La Fortuna?
Grand Cayman has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and La Fortuna, 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 Grand Cayman or La Fortuna?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Grand Cayman or La Fortuna in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as La Fortuna. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in La Fortuna. Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in July than La Fortuna. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 28°C (83°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)La Fortuna 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or La Fortuna in the Autumn?
Both La Fortuna and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in La Fortuna is December to April. The hurricane season in La Fortuna is May to November. It rains a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives around the same amount of rain as La Fortuna. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as La Fortuna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or La Fortuna in the Winter?
Both La Fortuna and Grand Cayman during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.
Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in January than La Fortuna. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Grand Cayman is cooler than La Fortuna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand Cayman in January average around 24°C (76°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or La Fortuna in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and La Fortuna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in La Fortuna is the dry season. May to November is the hurricane season in La Fortuna. In April, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than La Fortuna. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Grand Cayman is generally cooler than La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 26°C (79°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)La Fortuna 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | La Fortuna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.