Which place is cheaper, Panama City or La Fortuna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit La Fortuna or Panama City?
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 Panama City. 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 Panama City?
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.
Panama City
Panama City is the cosmopolitan capital city of the country of Panama. With a population of almost 900,000 and almost 1.5 million in the metropolitan area, it's a very diverse city with expat residents from all over the world. You don't have to search far to find someone who speaks English, and many Panamanians are quite helpful and friendly.
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 Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
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La Fortuna Prices
Costa Rica PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Fortuna $136Panama City $101
The average daily cost (per person) in La Fortuna is $136, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $101. 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 Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Fortuna $56Panama City $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Fortuna $112Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in La Fortuna and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in La Fortuna or Panama City? 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 Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Fortuna $23Panama City $11
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
- Private VIP Transfer La Fortuna to Tamarindo, Flamingo & Conchal: $299
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Arenal La Fortuna: $295
- From San Jose Airport To Arenal - La Fortuna - PRIVATE TRANSFER: $295
- Private One-Way Transfer from/to La Fortuna to Papagayo Peninsula: $289
- Private Transfer Liberia Airport to Bijagua: $285
- Private Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Arenal - La Fortuna: $285
- Private Transfer from Arenal La Fortuna to San Jose Airport: $255
- Private Transfer La Fortuna to (SJO)Airport – 1–6 Passengers: $249
- Private Transfer from La Fortuna to Juan Santa Maria Airport: $249
- Private Transfer La Fortuna To Int. Airport Liberia From 1 to 6 passengers: $249
- Private Transfer La Fortuna to LIR Airport 1 A 6 Passengers: $240
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers to Riu Playa Blanca, The Buenaventura Golf, Rio hato: $8.00
- Private Departure Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY): $13
- Private transfer from airport to hotels in Panama City: $15
- Private Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY): $15
- Private Transfer Airport PTY to/from Panama City: $17
- Private Airport Transfer PTY to Panama City or Playa Blanca: $18
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panamá: $19
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Panamá to Tocumen Airport: $19
- Private Transfer Tocumen Airport to Panama City or Beach: $20
- Private transfer Panama City - Fort Amador Cruise Terminal: $20
- Transfer to or from the airport / Min 2 pax: $20
- Private Transfer Panama Tocumen Airport PTY to Panama City: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into La Fortuna or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City 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 $52Panama City $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Fortuna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Fortuna.
- Sloth Tour in La Fortuna and Tortillas Cooking Class: $38
- Traditional cooking class with Tica family: $43
- Farm to Table Cooking Class: $45
- Typical Costa Rican Cooking Classes in La Fortuna: $48
- Costa Rican Cooking Class: $57
- Costa Rica The Chela Cooking Experience: $60
- Costa Rican cuisine Cooking Class at Rancho Don Lelo: $60
- Cooking Class "Cook Like a Local" La Fortuna: $63
- Private typical cooking class with a Costa Rican family: $70
- Ceviche & Empanadas Cooking Class: $77
- Horseback Riding and Cooking Class with Lunch: $80
- Cooking with a Costa Rican family: $80
Typical Food Prices in Panama City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:
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Sandwich$8.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Panama City
For Panama City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
- Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $65
- Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- E-Tickets Emotions Dinner Live Show Admission: $75
- Afro-Panamanian Cooking Class with Meal: $75
- Street Food Tour with 24 Tastings: $75
- Street Food Tour Panama (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $90
- 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
- 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
- Panama: 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class + Dinner: $95
- Folkloric Dance & Typical Dinner at Sabroso Panamá: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Fortuna $48Panama City $66
Tours and Activities in La Fortuna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Fortuna are as follows:
- 12-Cable Zipline Canopy Tour Over Waterfalls: $115
- 2-in-1 Arenal Coffee and Chocolate Tour: $75
- 3-Hour Arenal Lake Flexi Pass Adventure In Costa Rica: $73
- 3-In-1 Río Celeste: Tubing, Natural Pool and Jungle Night Tour.: $80
- 7 Nights Costa Rica Fully Guided Adventure: $1,850
- 7-Cable Zipline Adventure: Fly Over La Fortuna Waterfall: $84
- 7-Cable Zipline Canopy Tour Over La Fortuna Waterfall: $95
- A day of Arenal Adventure 1968 and Spring: $96
- ATV Tour near Arenal Volcano, Jungle, and River Crossing: $165
- ATV adventure Tour in La Fortuna: $105
- Adventure Pass: $167
- Afternoon Arenal Volcano Tour & Natural Hot Springs River: $54
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- Archaeological Site. Admission ticket to Panama La Vieja: $15
- Private Historic Tour of the Old Town: $25
- Panama Casco Viejo: Walking Tour Must See Treasures!!!: $25
- Panama: Highlights Bike Tour in Casco Viejo & Cinta Costera: $26
- Panama : Must-See Sites Walking Tour With A Guide: $27
- Panama City Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $27
- Panama City Bike Tour By Paradox Experience: $29
- Monkey and Sloth Jungle Habitat Panama Tour: $30
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
- City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
- Half-Day Tour to Miraflores Locks & Casco Viejo: $32
- POIN Panama City Climb Experience: $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Fortuna $12Panama City $18
Sample the Local Flavors in La Fortuna
Also in La Fortuna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting Experience: $135
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Fortuna and Panama City, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Panama City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Panama City 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 Panama City.
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 Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Fortuna or Panama City?
Panama City has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of La Fortuna and Panama City, 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.
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.