Which place is cheaper, Montanita or La Fortuna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Fortuna or Montanita?
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 Montanita. 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 Montanita?
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.
Montanita
Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Fortuna $104Montanita $96
The average daily cost (per person) in La Fortuna is $104, while the average daily cost in Montanita is $96. 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 Montanita in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Fortuna $51Montanita $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Fortuna $102Montanita $82
Compare Hotels in La Fortuna and Montanita
Looking for a hotel in La Fortuna or Montanita? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Fortuna $21Montanita $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:
- Puerto Viejo de Limon: Transfer to La Fortuna de Arenal: $400
- La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Puerto Viejo de Limon: $400
- La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Manuel Antonio or Quepos: $320
- Private One-Way Transfer to Manuel Antonio: $310
- La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Tamarindo: $307
- Private Transfer from la Fortuna to Puerto Viejo & Cahuita Limon: $299
- VIP Private Transfer from La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano) to Tamarindo Beach: $299
- Private Transfer From La Fortuna To Manuel Antonio From 1 to 6 passengers: $297
- From San Jose Airport To Arenal - La Fortuna - PRIVATE TRANSFER: $295
- Transfer from Arenal or La Fortuna to Monteverde up to 5 passengers. (One Way): $295
- Private One-Way Transfer from/to La Fortuna to Papagayo Peninsula: $289
- Private Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Arenal - La Fortuna: $285
Is it cheaper to fly into La Fortuna or Montanita?
Prices for flights to both Montanita 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 $27Montanita $28
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Fortuna $44Montanita $31
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Fortuna $11Montanita $7.86
When comparing the travel costs between La Fortuna and Montanita, we can see that La Fortuna 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 Montanita is in South 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 Montanita Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit La Fortuna or Montanita?
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 Montanita in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to La Fortuna as well as Montanita. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year.
La Fortuna receives a lot of rain in the summer. La Fortuna usually gets more rain in July than Montanita. La Fortuna gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, La Fortuna often gets more sunshine than Montanita. La Fortuna gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 107 hours of full sun.
In the summer, La Fortuna is around the same temperature as Montanita. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Fortuna in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Montanita averages at about 25°C (78°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLa Fortuna 28°C (82°F)Montanita 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Montanita in the Autumn?
Both Montanita and La Fortuna are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in La Fortuna. In October, La Fortuna usually receives more rain than Montanita. La Fortuna gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
La Fortuna usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during autumn. La Fortuna gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 117 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, La Fortuna is generally around the same temperature as Montanita. Daily temperatures in La Fortuna average around 27°C (81°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLa Fortuna 27°C (81°F)Montanita 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Montanita in the Winter?
Both Montanita and La Fortuna during the winter 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 Montanita year-round.
La Fortuna usually gets less rain in January than Montanita. La Fortuna gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in La Fortuna. In the winter, La Fortuna often gets more sunshine than Montanita. La Fortuna gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 88 hours of full sun.
La Fortuna is around the same temperature as Montanita in the winter. The daily temperature in La Fortuna averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLa Fortuna 27°C (81°F)Montanita 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Montanita in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both La Fortuna and Montanita. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, La Fortuna usually receives less rain than Montanita. La Fortuna gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In La Fortuna, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Fortuna usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during spring. La Fortuna gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 133 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, La Fortuna is around the same temperature as Montanita. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Fortuna in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Montanita averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLa Fortuna 29°C (85°F)Montanita 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Montanita and La Fortuna
| La Fortuna | Montanita | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (80°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.