Which place is cheaper, Valdivia or La Fortuna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Fortuna or Valdivia?
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 Valdivia. 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 Valdivia?
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.
Valdivia
Valdivia is a vibrant university city situated in southern Chile. It sits at the meeting point of three rivers in the aptly named Region de Los Rios (The Rivers Region) and is approximately 200 kilometers from both Temuco and Puerto Montt. Due to a large student population, Valdivia boasts a youthful and energetic vibe that is visible in its many bars, cafes and restaurants. The city is also known for having one of Chile's best craft beer cultures, which had its early beginnings when German settlers arrived in the 1840s. The rivers, nearby Pacific coastline and wetlands offer plenty for lovers of the outdoors, too.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica, The Best 10-Day Tours in Chile, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Fortuna $104Valdivia $69
The average daily cost (per person) in La Fortuna is $104, while the average daily cost in Valdivia is $69. 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 Valdivia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Fortuna $51Valdivia $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Fortuna $102Valdivia $80
Compare Hotels in La Fortuna and Valdivia
Looking for a hotel in La Fortuna or Valdivia? 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 Valdivia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Fortuna $21Valdivia $8.08
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valdivia
Also for Valdivia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Valdivia Airport Private Transfer: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into La Fortuna or Valdivia?
Prices for flights to both Valdivia 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 $27Valdivia $21
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 $44Valdivia $13
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
Tours and Activities in Valdivia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Valdivia.
- Valdivia SUP Cruises for 6 People with Transportation Included: $35
- Sightseeing Tour in Valdivia : $76
- Private City Tour: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Fortuna $11Valdivia $4.79
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Fortuna and Valdivia, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Valdivia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Fortuna is in Central America and Valdivia 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 Valdivia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valdivia 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 Valdivia.
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 Valdivia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Fortuna or Valdivia?
Valdivia has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of La Fortuna and Valdivia, 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 Valdivia?
Valdivia 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 Valdivia in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to La Fortuna as well as Valdivia. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, La Fortuna is generally much warmer than Valdiviain January. Daily temperatures in La Fortuna average around 28°C (82°F), and Valdivia fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valdivia. In the summer, La Fortuna often gets less sunshine than Valdiviain January. La Fortuna gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valdivia receives 296 hours of full sun.
La Fortuna receives a lot of rain in the summer. La Fortuna usually gets more rain in July than Valdiviain January. La Fortuna gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLa Fortuna 28°C (82°F)Valdivia 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Valdivia in the Autumn?
Both Valdivia 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.
La Fortuna is much warmer than Valdivia in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Fortuna averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Valdivia fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in April.
La Fortuna usually receives more sunshine than Valdivia during autumn. La Fortuna gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Valdivia receives 132 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Valdivia. It's quite rainy in La Fortuna. In October, La Fortuna usually receives more rain than Valdiviain April. La Fortuna gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLa Fortuna 27°C (81°F)Valdivia 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Valdivia in the Winter?
Both Valdivia 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.
In the winter, La Fortuna is much warmer than Valdivia. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Fortuna in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Valdivia averages at about 7°C (45°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in La Fortuna. In the winter, La Fortuna often gets more sunshine than Valdiviain July. La Fortuna gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valdivia receives 66 hours of full sun.
Valdivia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. La Fortuna usually gets less rain in January than Valdiviain July. La Fortuna gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLa Fortuna 27°C (81°F)Valdivia 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Valdivia in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both La Fortuna and Valdivia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.
In April, La Fortuna is generally much warmer than Valdiviain October. Daily temperatures in La Fortuna average around 29°C (85°F), and Valdivia fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In La Fortuna, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Fortuna usually receives more sunshine than Valdivia during spring. La Fortuna gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Valdivia receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.
Valdivia receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, La Fortuna usually receives less rain than Valdiviain October. La Fortuna gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLa Fortuna 29°C (85°F)Valdivia 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Valdivia and La Fortuna
| La Fortuna | Valdivia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 297 mm (11.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 247 mm (9.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.