Which place is cheaper, Bogota or La Fortuna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Fortuna or Bogota?
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 La Fortuna and Bogota. 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: La Fortuna or Bogota?
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.
Bogota
Sprawling across a high altitude in the Columbian Andes region, Bogota is the capital city of Columbia. It is a mix of the old and new with century-old plazas and churches shadowed by towering skyscrapers, museums representing the history, art, and culture of the region, as well as a mix of distinct neighborhoods from quaint and historic to trendy and contemporary.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Fortuna $104Bogota $53
The average daily cost (per person) in La Fortuna is $104, while the average daily cost in Bogota is $53. 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 Fortuna and Bogota in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Fortuna $51Bogota $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Fortuna $102Bogota $52
Compare Hotels in La Fortuna and Bogota
Looking for a hotel in La Fortuna or Bogota? 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 and Bogota Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Fortuna $21Bogota $8.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:
- VIP Private Transfer from La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano) to Tamarindo Beach: $299
- Transfer from Arenal or La Fortuna to Monteverde up to 5 passengers. (One Way): $295
- Transfer TO or FROM San Jose city to Arenal - Fortuna Area. Private: $210
- Transfer International ATO to Fortuna or return one way: $250
- San Jose Airport: Private transfer from/to La Fortuna: $226
- Puerto Viejo de Limon: Transfer to La Fortuna de Arenal: $400
- Private transfer from SJO Airport to La Fortuna / Van A/C & WiF: $199
- Private Transfer to/from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna Area (Arenal Volcano): $213
- Private Transfer from la Fortuna to Puerto Viejo & Cahuita Limon: $299
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport to La Fortuna: $225
- Private Transfer from La Fortuna to Nosara: $278
- Private Transfer from La Fortuna to Liberia Intl Airport LIR area: $215
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bogota
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bogota are as follows:
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Taxi from Airport$7.56
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Taxi Ride$0.39
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2 Bus Passes$0.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bogota
Also for Bogota, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Bogota: $12
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: El Dorado Airport (One Way): $13
- Transfer from El Dorado Airport to Hotels in Bogota (one way): $15
- Transfer in private SUV from Bogota City - Bogota Airport (BOG): $18
- Private Transfer El Dorado Airport to Hotels in Bogotá: $20
- Private Transfer from Bogotá-El Dorado (BOG) Airport to Bogotá City: $33
- Salt Cathedral Zipaquira • Premium Private Transfer: $39
- Andres Carne de Res Chia • Premium Private Transfer: $39
- Arrival Transfer from Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota by MiniSuv: $66
- El Dorado International Airport (BOG) - Private Round trip transfer Bogota: $80
- Bogotá to or from Villa de Leyva Private Transfer: $80
- Bogotá Private Luxury Transfer - Airport Pick Up or Drop Off - SUV Mercedes Benz: $97
Is it cheaper to fly into La Fortuna or Bogota?
Prices for flights to both Bogota and La Fortuna 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 Fortuna $27Bogota $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Fortuna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Fortuna.
- 2 Hours Private Cooking Class in La Fortuna: $38
- Organic Farm Visit & 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
- Private cooking class in organic farm at La Fortuna: $75
- Ceviche & Empanadas Cooking Class: $77
Typical Food Prices in Bogota
For Bogota, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$1.57
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Hot Dog$0.92
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bogota
For Bogota, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Peruvian cooking workshop: $26
- Bogotá Bites: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $45
- Viejo Bogota Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
- PALOQUEMAO MARKET FOOD TOUR. EXOTIC FRUIT. LOCAL SNACKS. /Min 2 pax: $55
- Bogota Food Tour • Private Car • Fruits Cacao Lunch Coffee Beer: $59
- Private Colombian Cooking Class and Market Tour In Bogota: $90
- Dinner and party at Andres Carne de Res DC: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Fortuna $44Bogota $13
Tours and Activities in La Fortuna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Fortuna are as follows:
- Arenal Volcano Hike Experience (not guide included): $23
- La Fortuna's 3 Essentials Private Tour: $280
- Rio Celeste Tubing Experience: $54
- Sky Adventures Arenal : Zipline - Sky Tram & Sky Walk (guided): $260
- 1-Hour Private Sloth Tour in the Rainforest from Costa Rica: $30
- 12 cable Zipline Canopy Tour Over Waterfalls!: $101
- 2-Hour Chachagua Rainforest - Birdwatching Tour: $60
- 2-in-1 Arenal Combo Tour: River Safari Float and La Fortuna Waterfall: $170
- 2-in-1 Arenal Volcano Combo Tour: La Fortuna Waterfall and Volcano Hike: $170
- 6 Course Tropical Rainforest Foodie Adventure: $199
- 7 Nights Costa Rica Fully Guided Adventure: $2,000
- 7 cable Zipline Canopy Tour Over La Fortuna Waterfall!: $80
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bogota
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Bogota's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Beer$1.31
Tours and Activities in Bogota
For Bogota, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Party Tour: 6 nightclubs, Disco-Truck, After Party, 2 openbars: $2.95
- Colonial Bogotá: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of La Candelaria: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - El Dorado Expedition, Part I : $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - El Dorado Expedition, Part II: $6.99
- Bike Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $12
- Graffiti Tour: a fascinating walk through a street art City: $13
- Graffiti Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $13
- Tour of the Colombian Armed Conflict: war, drug trafficking and peace: $13
- Shared Tour of the Historic Candelaria in Bogotá: $13
- Walking Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $14
- Walking Tour through Candelaria: $14
- Full Day Tour to the Colonial Town of Villa de Leyva: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Fortuna $11Bogota $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Bogota
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bogota:
- Thursday Bar Crawl in Bogotá: $25
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Bogotá : $25
- Saturday Bar Crawl in La Candelaria, Bogotá: $25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Fortuna and Bogota, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Bogota much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Fortuna is in Central America and Bogota is in South 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 Bogota would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bogota 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 Bogota.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Fortuna Expensive? and Is Bogota Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Fortuna or Bogota?
Bogota has a larger population, and is about 2360 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of La Fortuna and Bogota, 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 La Fortuna or Bogota?
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 La Fortuna or Bogota in the Summer?
Both Bogota and La Fortuna during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bogota year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. La Fortuna usually gets more rain in July than Bogota. La Fortuna gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, La Fortuna is generally much warmer than Bogota. Daily temperatures in La Fortuna average around 28°C (82°F), and Bogota fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLa Fortuna 28°C (82°F)Bogota 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Bogota in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both La Fortuna and Bogota. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round. Bogota attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Bogota receives a lot of rain in the autumn. La Fortuna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, La Fortuna usually receives more rain than Bogota. La Fortuna gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
La Fortuna is much warmer than Bogota in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Fortuna averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Bogota fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLa Fortuna 27°C (81°F)Bogota 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Bogota in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to La Fortuna as well as Bogota. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bogota throughout the year.
La Fortuna usually gets less rain in January than Bogota. La Fortuna gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, La Fortuna is much warmer than Bogota. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Fortuna in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Bogota averages at about 14°C (57°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLa Fortuna 27°C (81°F)Bogota 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Bogota in the Spring?
Both Bogota and La Fortuna are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Bogota because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, La Fortuna usually receives less rain than Bogota. La Fortuna gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, La Fortuna is generally much warmer than Bogota. Daily temperatures in La Fortuna average around 29°C (85°F), and Bogota fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLa Fortuna 29°C (85°F)Bogota 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Bogota and La Fortuna
| La Fortuna | Bogota | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 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.