Which place is cheaper, Liberia or La Ceiba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Ceiba or Liberia?
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 Liberia can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: La Ceiba or Liberia?
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.
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Ceiba $65Liberia $112
The average daily cost (per person) in La Ceiba is $65, while the average daily cost in Liberia is $112. 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 Liberia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Ceiba $24Liberia $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Ceiba $48Liberia $120
Compare Hotels in La Ceiba and Liberia
Looking for a hotel in La Ceiba or Liberia? 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 Liberia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Ceiba $32Liberia $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Ceiba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Ceiba:
- Private Transfer from Goloson Airport (LCE) to Banana Coast Port: $78
- Private Transfer from La Ceiba hotels to Banana Coast Cruise Port: $78
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Bike Rental$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- Costa Rica Private Airport Transfer : $6.00
- Private transfer from Liberia Airport to Tamarindo: $15
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Riu Guanacaste: $17
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Riu Guanacaste: $18
- Private or VIP Transfer: Liberia Airport to RIU Hotels & More: $19
- Private Transfer from Libera/Four Seasons Guanacaste Airport: $19
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Tamarindo Beach: $20
- Private or VIP Transfer: Liberia Airport to JW Marriott//Pinilla: $25
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playa Grande - Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Direct Transfer Liberia Airport to Guanacaste Hotels: $35
- Direct Transfer Guanacaste Hotel to Liberia Airport: $35
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Peñas Blancas - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into La Ceiba or Liberia?
Prices for flights to both Liberia 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
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Food Meals for one dayLa Ceiba $18Liberia $21
Typical Food Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Snacks$1.97
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Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$4.95
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Lunch$11
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$14
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Ginger Ale$1.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.
- Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Ceiba $22Liberia $25
Tours and Activities in La Ceiba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Ceiba are as follows:
- ATV Tour : $110
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike (Group Tour) : $35
- La Leona Waterfall: Private tour in Rincon de la Vieja!: $43
- Bird-Watching and Wildlife Tour: $43
- Night Tour in Nuevo Arenal: $43
- La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike (Private Tour): $45
- Private La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike: $45
- Skip the Line: Diamante Eco Adventure Park: Animal Sanctuary Discovery Ticket: $49
- Zip-line Adventure: $53
- Rincón de la Vieja Bird-Watching Tour: $62
- 2-Hour Horseback Riding Tour in Guanacaste: $65
- ATV Tour from Guanacaste: $65
- Zipline at Skyline Canopy Tour Guanacaste Costa Rica: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Ceiba $5.16Liberia $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Ceiba and Liberia, we can see that Liberia 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 Liberia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liberia 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 Liberia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Ceiba or Liberia?
La Ceiba has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Liberia. When comparing the sizes of La Ceiba and Liberia, 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.
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.