Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Isla de Ometepe?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Isla de Ometepe or La Fortuna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Isla de Ometepe or La Fortuna, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Isla de Ometepe or La Fortuna?
Isla de Ometepe
Ometepe is a dramatically beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua. The island is the largest in the lake and is formed by two dramatic twin volcanoes that climb high from the water's surface. The two volcanoes are Concepcion and Maderas, and they are joined by an isthmus to make one island with an area of 276 square kilometers. The island is 31 kilometers long and between 5 and 10 kilometers wide. There are several small settlements on the island as well as a few coffee plantations. It is also one of the top sights in the country and makes for a unique travel destination.
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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, 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 dayIsla de Ometepe $34La Fortuna $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Isla de Ometepe is $34, 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 Isla de Ometepe and La Fortuna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIsla de Ometepe $13La Fortuna $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIsla de Ometepe $26La Fortuna $102
Compare Hotels in Isla de Ometepe and La Fortuna
Looking for a hotel in Isla de Ometepe 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.Isla de Ometepe $11La Fortuna $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:
- La Fortuna or Monteverde: One-Way Boat Transfer: $39
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Arenal La Fortuna: $42
- Transfer From Liberia Airport To Arenal La Fortuna San Carlos: $42
- White Water Tubing Tour with Guide and Transfers: $55
- Scenic Transfer to Monteverde via Arenal Lake: $56
- One-Way Transfer from La Fortuna to Monteverde through Arenal Lake: $57
- Arenal lake boat transfer from to Monteverde from La Fortuna: $60
- Arenal La Fortuna to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer : $63
- Sloth Watching Tour with Transfer and Snacks: $68
- La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Liberia or LIR Airport: $70
- Private Transfer from La Fortuna to Juan Santa Maria Airport: $85
- From Lake Arenal Kayaking Trip with Transfer: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Isla de Ometepe or La Fortuna?
Prices for flights to both La Fortuna and Isla de Ometepe 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 dayIsla de Ometepe $13La Fortuna $27
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.Isla de Ometepe $13La Fortuna $44
Tours and Activities in Isla de Ometepe
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla de Ometepe are as follows:
- A great tour day for the ISLAND OF OMETEPE.: $80
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 dayIsla de Ometepe $8.85La Fortuna $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Isla de Ometepe and La Fortuna, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Isla de Ometepe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Isla de Ometepe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Isla de Ometepe Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe or La Fortuna in the Summer?
Both La Fortuna and Isla de Ometepe are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Isla de Ometepe throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. It's quite rainy in Isla de Ometepe. In July, Isla de Ometepe usually receives less rain than La Fortuna. Isla de Ometepe gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Isla de Ometepe usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as La Fortuna during summer. Isla de Ometepe gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Isla de Ometepe in July average around 27°C (81°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIsla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F)La Fortuna 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or La Fortuna in the Autumn?
Both La Fortuna and Isla de Ometepe during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Isla de Ometepe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.
La Fortuna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Isla de Ometepe. Isla de Ometepe usually gets less rain in October than La Fortuna. Isla de Ometepe gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Isla de Ometepe often gets more sunshine than La Fortuna. Isla de Ometepe gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun.
In October, Isla de Ometepe is generally around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Isla de Ometepe average around 27°C (81°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIsla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or La Fortuna in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Isla de Ometepe and La Fortuna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Isla de Ometepe year-round. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Isla de Ometepe usually receives less rain than La Fortuna. Isla de Ometepe gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Fortuna this time of the year. In Isla de Ometepe, it's very sunny this time of the year. Isla de Ometepe usually receives less sunshine than La Fortuna during winter. Isla de Ometepe gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as La Fortuna in the winter. The daily temperature in Isla de Ometepe averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIsla de Ometepe 26°C (79°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or La Fortuna in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Isla de Ometepe as well as La Fortuna. Isla de Ometepe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.
Isla de Ometepe usually gets less rain in April than La Fortuna. Isla de Ometepe gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Isla de Ometepe this time of the year. In the spring, Isla de Ometepe often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Fortuna. Isla de Ometepe gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Isla de Ometepe in April average around 29°C (84°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIsla de Ometepe 29°C (84°F)La Fortuna 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Isla de Ometepe
| Isla de Ometepe | La Fortuna | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.