Which place is cheaper, La Paz or La Fortuna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Fortuna or La Paz?
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 La Paz. 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 La Paz?
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.
La Paz
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It has a population of about 215,000 people and is a significant commercial center for the region. The city has a good economy and a high standard of living when compared to much of Mexico. Much of the economy is focused on eco-tourism and there are many protected marine environments in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Fortuna $104La Paz $118
The average daily cost (per person) in La Fortuna is $104, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $118. 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 La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Fortuna $51La Paz $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Fortuna $102La Paz $104
Compare Hotels in La Fortuna and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in La Fortuna or La Paz? 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 La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Fortuna $21La Paz $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:
- 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
- White Water Tubing Tour with Guide and Transfers: $55
- Scenic Transfer to Monteverde via Arenal Lake: $56
- One-Way Transfer from La Fortuna to Monteverde through Arenal Lake: $57
- Arenal lake boat transfer from to Monteverde from La Fortuna: $60
- Arenal La Fortuna to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer : $63
- Sloth Watching Tour with Transfer and Snacks: $68
- From Lake Arenal Kayaking Trip with Transfer: $90
- One Way Private Transfer - La Fortuna to your Selected Location: $128
- Direct Transfer From La Fortuna to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $153
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Paz:
- Roundtrip Transfer to La Paz International Airport: $73
- La Paz Airport to Costa Baja Private Roundtrip Transfer: $89
- La Paz Int. Airport (LAP): Private Transfer to La Paz hotels: $174
- Private Transfer from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas: $240
- La Paz Airport: Private Roundtrip Transfer to La Ventan: $259
Is it cheaper to fly into La Fortuna or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz 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 $27La Paz $38
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Paz.
- 4 Hours of Guided La Paz Street Food Tour: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Fortuna $44La Paz $13
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 La Paz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Paz are as follows:
- Transparent Boat Tour with Mushroom Rock: $64
- Pearls of Pearl Farm Experience: $64
- Half Day Sandboarding and Paddleboarding Experience in La Paz: $81
- Unique Mexican Spirits Tasting & Pairing Experience: $85
- Sunset Sandboarding at La Paz Dunes Tour: $89
- City Tour & Beaches from La Paz: $91
- Supercombo 2-Day City Tour: $105
- Half Day Private Tour of the Beaches of La Paz: $113
- From Los Cabos: City Tour La Paz, Balandra and Todos Santos: $115
- holy spirit island tour: $116
- Los Cabos Tour from La Paz: $119
- Snorkel Tour with Whale Shark in La Paz: $119
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Fortuna $11La Paz $12
When comparing the travel costs between La Fortuna and La Paz, we can see that La Paz is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though La Fortuna is in Central America and La Paz is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Fortuna or La Paz?
La Paz has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of La Fortuna and La Paz, 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 La Paz?
La Paz has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but La Fortuna experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit La Fortuna or La Paz in the Summer?
Both La Paz and La Fortuna are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
La Fortuna is around the same temperature as La Paz in the summer. The daily temperature in La Fortuna averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and La Paz fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
It's quite sunny in La Paz. La Fortuna usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during summer. La Fortuna gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in La Fortuna. In July, La Fortuna usually receives more rain than La Paz. La Fortuna gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLa Fortuna 28°C (82°F)La Paz 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or La Paz in the Autumn?
Both La Paz and La Fortuna during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to La Paz this time of year.
In the autumn, La Fortuna is around the same temperature as La Paz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in La Fortuna in October average around 27°C (81°F), and La Paz averages at about 27°C (80°F).
In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, La Fortuna often gets less sunshine than La Paz. La Fortuna gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 272 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. La Fortuna usually gets more rain in October than La Paz. La Fortuna gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLa Fortuna 27°C (81°F)La Paz 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or La Paz in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Fortuna and La Paz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round. Also, many travelers come to La Paz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, La Fortuna is generally much warmer than La Paz. Daily temperatures in La Fortuna average around 27°C (81°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In La Fortuna, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Fortuna usually receives more sunshine than La Paz during winter. La Fortuna gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, La Fortuna usually receives less rain than La Paz. La Fortuna gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLa Fortuna 27°C (81°F)La Paz 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or La Paz in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to La Fortuna as well as La Paz. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to La Paz in the spring for the beaches.
La Fortuna is a little warmer than La Paz in the spring. The daily temperature in La Fortuna averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and La Paz fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Fortuna this time of the year. In the spring, La Fortuna often gets less sunshine than La Paz. La Fortuna gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 292 hours of full sun.
La Fortuna usually gets more rain in April than La Paz. La Fortuna gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLa Fortuna 29°C (85°F)La Paz 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for La Paz and La Fortuna
| La Fortuna | La Paz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 21 mm (0.8 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.