Should I Visit La Ceiba or La Fortuna for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit La Ceiba 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 La Ceiba and La Fortuna can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: La Ceiba or La Fortuna?

La Ceiba

La Ceiba is the third largest city in Honduras, situated on the north Caribbean coast. The city has a population of about a quarter million people. Many people who visit this city do so before heading into Pico Bonito National Park. It hasn't had the best infrastructure for tourists in the past but is developing fast. It is about 200 kilometers from San Pedro Sula, another large city in Honduras.

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 Honduras, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.

Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or La Ceiba?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

La Ceiba Prices
Honduras Prices

La Fortuna Prices
Costa Rica Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

La Ceiba $76

La Fortuna $125

The average daily cost (per person) in La Ceiba is $76, while the average daily cost in La Fortuna is $125. 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 La Ceiba and La Fortuna in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

La Ceiba $23

La Fortuna $52
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

La Ceiba $46

La Fortuna $104

Compare Hotels in La Ceiba and La Fortuna

Looking for a hotel in La Ceiba 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 Ceiba Hotel Prices and La Fortuna Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

La Ceiba $31

La Fortuna $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Ceiba

Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Ceiba:

From Copan: One Way Shared Transfer to La Ceiba: $29
Ferry Transfer between La Ceiba and Roatán Island: $43
From Roatan: One Way Shared transfer to La Ceiba: $49
Private Transfer from Goloson Airport (LCE) to Banana Coast Port: $226
Private Transfer from La Ceiba hotels to Banana Coast Cruise Port: $226

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna

Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:

Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Tabacón Arenal: $39
La Fortuna or Monteverde: One-Way Boat Transfer: $39
Transfer From Liberia Airport To Arenal La Fortuna San Carlos: $42
Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Arenal La Fortuna: $42
Transfer From Liberia Airport To Arenal La Fortuna San Carlos: $49
Scenic Transfer to Monteverde via Arenal Lake: $56
White Water Tubing Tour with Guide and Transfers: $57
Sloth Watching Tour with Transfer and Snacks: $68
From San Jose: One way shared transfer to La Fortuna: $74
From One way shared transfer to Monteverde: $74
Guided Tour to Arenal Mistico Hanging Bridges with Transfer: $79
From Lake Arenal Kayaking Trip with Transfer: $90

Is it cheaper to fly into La Ceiba or La Fortuna?

Prices for flights to both La Fortuna and La Ceiba 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

La Ceiba $30

La Fortuna $48

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Fortuna

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Fortuna.

Sloth Tour in La Fortuna and Tortillas Cooking Class: $35
2 Hours Private Cooking Class in La Fortuna: $45
Skip the Line: Mineral Hot Springs Full Day Ticket w/ Optional Lunch or Dinner: $47
Typical Costa Rican Cooking Classes in La Fortuna: $48
Organic Farm Visit & Farm-to-Table Cooking Class: $50
Costa Rican Breakfast & Cooking Experience in La Fortuna: $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

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

La Ceiba $21

La Fortuna $44

Tours and Activities in La Fortuna

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Fortuna are as follows:

Relax Termalitas Hot Springs Entry Ticket: $11
La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket: $20
Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket: $20
San Carlos: The Art of Chocolate Making Tour at Don Olivo: $30
Don Olivo Chocolate Tour: $30
Sloth and Monkey Wild Life Tour : $30
arenal fortuna city tour: $30
Sloth watching La Fortuna local tour guide.: $30
Tarzan Swing Adventure: $32
Rainforest Chocolate Tour: $32
Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park: $32
Rainforest Chocolate Tour from La Fortuna: $32

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

La Ceiba $4.98

La Fortuna $11

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Ceiba and La Fortuna, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is La Ceiba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Ceiba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Ceiba 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 La Ceiba.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Ceiba Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Ceiba or La Fortuna?

La Ceiba has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of La Ceiba 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.

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Ceiba vs. La Fortuna for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit La Ceiba or La Fortuna?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Where Should I go: La Ceiba or La Fortuna?

La Ceiba

La Fortuna

Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or La Ceiba?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in La Ceiba and La Fortuna

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Ceiba

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna

Is it cheaper to fly into La Ceiba or La Fortuna?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Fortuna

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in La Fortuna

Alcohol

Which is Bigger, La Ceiba or La Fortuna?

Related Articles for La Ceiba

Related Articles for La Fortuna

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Ceiba vs. La Fortuna for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit La Ceiba or La Fortuna?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Where Should I go: La Ceiba or La Fortuna?

La Ceiba

La Fortuna

Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or La Ceiba?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in La Ceiba and La Fortuna

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Ceiba

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna

Is it cheaper to fly into La Ceiba or La Fortuna?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Fortuna

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in La Fortuna

Alcohol

Which is Bigger, La Ceiba or La Fortuna?

Related Articles for La Ceiba

Related Articles for La Fortuna

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