Which place is cheaper, Puerto Madryn or La Fortuna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Fortuna or Puerto Madryn?
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 Puerto Madryn. 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 Puerto Madryn?
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.
Puerto Madryn
Puerto Madryn is mostly known as the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, welcoming tourists who come for whale watching. The Peninsula Valdes is a nature reserve designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; 97 km long and 63 km wide, it is connected to the continent by an isthmus of 35 km from which we can see both gulfs, San Jose at north and the Nuevo at south.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica, The Best 2-Week Tours in Argentina, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Fortuna $104Puerto Madryn $14
The average daily cost (per person) in La Fortuna is $104, while the average daily cost in Puerto Madryn is $14. 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 Puerto Madryn in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Fortuna $51Puerto Madryn $5.25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Fortuna $102Puerto Madryn $11
Compare Hotels in La Fortuna and Puerto Madryn
Looking for a hotel in La Fortuna or Puerto Madryn? 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 Puerto Madryn Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Fortuna $21Puerto Madryn $3.28
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 Puerto Madryn
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:
- Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $47
- From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $131
Is it cheaper to fly into La Fortuna or Puerto Madryn?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Madryn 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 $27Puerto Madryn $5.69
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 $44Puerto Madryn $5.77
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 Puerto Madryn
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Puerto Madryn are as follows:
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Whale Watching for Two$0.35
Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Madryn are as follows:
- Kayaking adventure in Puerto Madryn: $60
- Excursion to Punta Loma and Puerto Madryn for Cruisers: $60
- From City and Punta Loma Tour: $70
- Shore Excursion: Punta Loma+City Tour, for cruise passengers: $70
- Punta Loma Shore Excursion with City tour: $75
- Punta Loma Excursion for Cruise Passengers: $75
- Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience - optional Whale Watching : $87
- Peninsula Valdes Full Day Tour: $88
- Punta Tombo Tour, the Penguin Experience: $88
- Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience: $90
- Shore Excursion Punta Loma Sea Lions Reserve Including Puerto Madryn City Tour : $95
- Wonderful Punta Tombo Penguin Rookery Tour : $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Fortuna $11Puerto Madryn $3.13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Fortuna and Puerto Madryn, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Madryn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Fortuna is in Central America and Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn.
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 Puerto Madryn Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Fortuna or Puerto Madryn?
Puerto Madryn has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of La Fortuna and Puerto Madryn, 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 Puerto Madryn?
Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn in the Summer?
Both Puerto Madryn 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.
In the summer, La Fortuna is a little warmer than Puerto Madryn. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Fortuna in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Madryn averages at about 22°C (71°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in La Fortuna. In July, La Fortuna usually receives more rain than Puerto Madrynin January. La Fortuna gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLa Fortuna 28°C (82°F)Puerto Madryn 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Puerto Madryn in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Madryn 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.
In October, La Fortuna is generally much warmer than Puerto Madrynin April. Daily temperatures in La Fortuna average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. La Fortuna usually gets more rain in October than Puerto Madrynin April. La Fortuna gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLa Fortuna 27°C (81°F)Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Puerto Madryn in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Fortuna and Puerto Madryn. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.
La Fortuna is much warmer than Puerto Madryn in the winter. The daily temperature in La Fortuna averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 7°C (45°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto Madryn this time of the year. In La Fortuna, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Fortuna usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Madryn during winter. La Fortuna gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Madryn receives 209 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, La Fortuna usually receives less rain than Puerto Madrynin July. La Fortuna gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLa Fortuna 27°C (81°F)Puerto Madryn 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Puerto Madryn in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to La Fortuna as well as Puerto Madryn. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, La Fortuna is much warmer than Puerto Madryn. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Fortuna in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Puerto Madryn averages at about 14°C (58°F)in October.
La Fortuna usually gets more rain in April than Puerto Madrynin October. La Fortuna gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLa Fortuna 29°C (85°F)Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Madryn and La Fortuna
| La Fortuna | Puerto Madryn | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.