Which place is cheaper, Huaraz or La Fortuna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Fortuna or Huaraz?
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 Huaraz. 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 Huaraz?
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.
Huaraz
Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Fortuna $104Huaraz $50
The average daily cost (per person) in La Fortuna is $104, while the average daily cost in Huaraz is $50. 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 Huaraz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Fortuna $51Huaraz $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Fortuna $102Huaraz $40
Compare Hotels in La Fortuna and Huaraz
Looking for a hotel in La Fortuna or Huaraz? 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 Huaraz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Fortuna $21Huaraz $10
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 Huaraz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.17
Is it cheaper to fly into La Fortuna or Huaraz?
Prices for flights to both Huaraz 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 $27Huaraz $18
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 Huaraz
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:
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Lunch$5.97
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Chips$1.49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Fortuna $44Huaraz $19
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz
Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Climbing Gear$17
Tours and Activities in Huaraz
Here are a few actual costs in Huaraz for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Traditional Picante de Cuy Gastronomy Tour in Huaraz: $15
- 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
- Glacier Pastoruri and Puya Raimondi Full Day Tour: $28
- Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $30
- From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
- From Tour to Llanganuco Lakes (Chinancocha Lake): $37
- From Tour to Archeological Complex of Chavin: $38
- Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
- Lake 69 Full-Day Hiking Tour from Huaraz: $40
- From Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $46
- From Chavín de Huantar fullday tour: $56
- From Llanganuco Lagoon fullday tour: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Fortuna $11Huaraz $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Fortuna and Huaraz, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Fortuna is in Central America and Huaraz 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 Huaraz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huaraz 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 Huaraz.
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 Huaraz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Fortuna or Huaraz?
Huaraz has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of La Fortuna and Huaraz, 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 Huaraz?
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 Huaraz in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both La Fortuna and Huaraz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round. Huaraz 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 Huaraz. La Fortuna gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Huaraz can get quite cold in the summer. In July, La Fortuna is generally much warmer than Huaraz. Daily temperatures in La Fortuna average around 28°C (82°F), and Huaraz fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLa Fortuna 28°C (82°F)Huaraz 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Huaraz in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to La Fortuna as well as Huaraz. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz throughout the year.
La Fortuna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. La Fortuna usually gets more rain in October than Huaraz. La Fortuna gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Huaraz can be very cold during autumn. La Fortuna is much warmer than Huaraz in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Fortuna averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Huaraz fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLa Fortuna 27°C (81°F)Huaraz 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Huaraz in the Winter?
Both Huaraz 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 Huaraz because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Huaraz. In January, La Fortuna usually receives less rain than Huaraz. La Fortuna gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, La Fortuna is much warmer than Huaraz. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Fortuna in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Huaraz averages at about 7°C (45°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLa Fortuna 27°C (81°F)Huaraz 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Huaraz in the Spring?
Both Huaraz 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 Huaraz year-round.
La Fortuna usually gets less rain in April than Huaraz. La Fortuna gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, La Fortuna is generally much warmer than Huaraz. Daily temperatures in La Fortuna average around 29°C (85°F), and Huaraz fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLa Fortuna 29°C (85°F)Huaraz 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Huaraz and La Fortuna
| La Fortuna | Huaraz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 112 mm (4.4 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.