Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Havana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Havana or La Fortuna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Havana and La Fortuna can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Havana or La Fortuna?
Havana
The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).
This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHavana $65La Fortuna $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $65, while the average daily cost in La Fortuna is $104. 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 Havana and La Fortuna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHavana $40La Fortuna $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHavana $80La Fortuna $102
Compare Hotels in Havana and La Fortuna
Looking for a hotel in Havana 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: La Fortuna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Havana $19La Fortuna $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:
- Transfer From Liberia Airport To Arenal La Fortuna San Carlos: $42
- Arenal La Fortuna to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer : $63
- Arenal lake boat transfer from to Monteverde from La Fortuna: $60
- Costa Rica Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) -Arrival Private Transfer: $189
- Direct Transfer From La Fortuna to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $152
- From La Fortuna/La Palma: Private Transfer to Tamarindo: $280
- From Lake Arenal Kayaking Trip with Transfer: $90
- From San Jose Airport To Arenal - La Fortuna - PRIVATE TRANSFER: $295
- La Fortuna Private Transfer to San Jose Airport : $231
- La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Guapiles: $213
- La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Liberia or LIR Airport: $187
- La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Liberia or LIR Airport: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or La Fortuna?
Prices for flights to both La Fortuna and Havana 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 dayHavana $10La Fortuna $27
Typical Food Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
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Pizza$0.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Fortuna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Fortuna.
- Skip the Line: Mineral Hot Springs Full Day Ticket w/ Optional Lunch or Dinner: $42
- Organic Farm Visit & Farm-to-Table Cooking Class: $45
- Farm-To-Table Cooking Class : $45
- Cooking Class and Sugar Cane Experience: $45
- Typical Costa Rican Cooking Classes in La Fortuna: $48
- Costa Rica Cooking, El Fogon de Chela: $50
- Costa Rican cuisine Cooking Class at Rancho Don Lelo: $60
- Cooking Class "Cook Like a Local" La Fortuna: $63
- Rainforest Night Walk and Authentic Costa Rican Dinner from La Fortuna: $65
- 3-Hour Costa Rican Cooking Class with Dinner: $68
- Private typical cooking class with a Costa Rican family: $70
- Cooking and Salsa Dance Lesson Combo : $74
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Havana $11La Fortuna $44
Tours and Activities in La Fortuna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Fortuna are as follows:
- Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket: $20
- Two Destinations Tour - La Fortuna Top Destinations : $20
- Arenal Volcano Hike Experience (not guide included): $23
- Sloth Tour: $30
- Rainforest Chocolate Tour from La Fortuna: $30
- 1-Hour Private Sloth Tour in the Rainforest from Costa Rica: $30
- Don Olivo Chocolate Tour: $30
- Rainforest Chocolate Tour: $30
- arenal fortuna city tour: $30
- Organic chocolate tour : $31
- Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges Admission Ticket: $32
- Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park: $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHavana $5.76La Fortuna $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
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Mojito$0.15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and La Fortuna, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana 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 Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 La Fortuna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Fortuna than you might in Havana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Havana Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Havana or La Fortuna?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 720 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Havana 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 Havana or La Fortuna?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Havana or La Fortuna in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and La Fortuna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
La Fortuna receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Havana usually receives less rain than La Fortuna. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Havana is generally around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 27°C (81°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHavana 27°C (81°F)La Fortuna 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Havana or La Fortuna in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Havana as well as La Fortuna. Havana 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. Havana usually gets less rain in October than La Fortuna. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
Havana is around the same temperature as La Fortuna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHavana 25°C (77°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Havana or La Fortuna in the Winter?
Both La Fortuna and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Havana usually receives more rain than La Fortuna. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Havana is cooler than La Fortuna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Havana in January average around 21°C (70°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHavana 21°C (70°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Havana or La Fortuna in the Spring?
Both La Fortuna and Havana during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.
Havana usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as La Fortuna. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Havana is generally cooler than La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 24°C (75°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHavana 24°C (75°F)La Fortuna 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Havana
| Havana | La Fortuna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.