Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or La Fortuna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Fortuna or Cuenca?
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 Cuenca. 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 Cuenca?
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.
Cuenca
Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Fortuna $104Cuenca $42
The average daily cost (per person) in La Fortuna is $104, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $42. 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 Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Fortuna $51Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Fortuna $102Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in La Fortuna and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in La Fortuna or Cuenca? 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 Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Fortuna $21Cuenca $11
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: $153
- From La Fortuna/La Palma: Private Transfer to Tamarindo: $280
- From Lake Arenal Kayaking Trip with Transfer: $90
- From Monteverde: 2 Day Hike in Fortuna with Hotel Transfer: $160
- From San Jose Airport To Arenal - La Fortuna - PRIVATE TRANSFER: $295
- 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 Manuel Antonio or Quepos: $320
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
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Taxi Ride$2.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Cuenca: $47
- Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.: $104
Is it cheaper to fly into La Fortuna or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca 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 $27Cuenca $15
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 Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:
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Lunch$10
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Snacks$5.00
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Empanada$1.50
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Hot Dog$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cuenca.
- Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
- Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
- Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour from Cuenca): $112
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Fortuna $44Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in La Fortuna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Fortuna are as follows:
- Two Destinations Tour - La Fortuna Top Destinations : $20
- Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket: $20
- Arenal Volcano Hike Experience (not guide included): $23
- Arenal Observatory Trails Admission Ticket: $29
- San Carlos: The Art of Chocolate Making Tour at Don Olivo: $30
- 1-Hour Private Sloth Tour in the Rainforest from Costa Rica: $30
- Private Sloth and Monkey Wildlife Tour: $30
- Rainforest Chocolate Tour: $30
- arenal fortuna city tour: $30
- Don Olivo Chocolate Tour: $30
- Sloth Tour: $30
- Night tour through the Tropical Forest at Tifakara : $32
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca, Ecuador Half-Day City Shared Tour: $25
- Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
- Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $30
- Private Cuenca City Tour including Turi Viewpoint: $40
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
- El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
- Experience Historical City Tour: $44
- City Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Cuenca, Ecuador Half-Day City Tour: $46
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $48
- Cuenca City Tour: $48
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Fortuna $11Cuenca $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Fortuna and Cuenca, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Fortuna is in Central America and Cuenca 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 Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca 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 Cuenca.
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 Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Fortuna or Cuenca?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of La Fortuna and Cuenca, 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 Cuenca?
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 La Fortuna or Cuenca in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both La Fortuna and Cuenca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
La Fortuna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, La Fortuna usually receives more rain than Cuenca. La Fortuna gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
La Fortuna is a little warmer than Cuenca in the summer. The daily temperature in La Fortuna averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLa Fortuna 28°C (82°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Cuenca in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to La Fortuna as well as Cuenca. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
La Fortuna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. La Fortuna usually gets more rain in October than Cuenca. La Fortuna gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, La Fortuna is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in La Fortuna in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Cuenca averages at about 12°C (54°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLa Fortuna 27°C (81°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Cuenca in the Winter?
Both Cuenca and La Fortuna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, La Fortuna usually receives less rain than Cuenca. La Fortuna gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Cuenca can get quite cold in the winter. In January, La Fortuna is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in La Fortuna average around 27°C (81°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLa Fortuna 27°C (81°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Cuenca in the Spring?
Both Cuenca and La Fortuna during the spring 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 Cuenca year-round.
La Fortuna usually gets less rain in April than Cuenca. La Fortuna gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
La Fortuna is much warmer than Cuenca in the spring. The daily temperature in La Fortuna averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLa Fortuna 29°C (85°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and La Fortuna
| La Fortuna | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.