A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Le Mans vs. Costa de Prata for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Le Mans or Costa de Prata?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Le Mans and Costa de Prata can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Le Mans or Costa de Prata?

Le Mans

Le Mans is a city in France, on the Sarthe River. Le Mans is found about 80 kilometers north of Tours, and south of Alencon. To many of course, Le Mans is famous only for a 24 hour racing event once a year. If you are not interested in cars and car racing, it is best to avoid visiting Le Mans in the middle of June. However, Le Mans also has a fantastic old town and is well worth the visit. Known as the Cite Plantagenet, this is where in 1129 Geoffrey Plantagenet married Matilda, daughter of Henry I of England and gave birth to Henry II.

Costa de Prata

Costa de Prata is a region located on the Silver Coast of Portugal, an hour north of Lisbon. The area is known for its beautiful beaches, ancient architecture, and relaxed, welcoming, atmosphere. The area experiences gorgeous weather nearly all year round, with temperatures in the high 70's and 80's Fahrenheit from May-September. June-August sees the warmest ocean temperatures, making these the best months for swimming. Even during their winter, temperatures rarely dip below 60°F, although ocean temperatures drop, making swimming a bit colder.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Le Mans and Costa de Prata, we can see that Costa de Prata is more expensive. And not only is Le Mans much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Le Mans would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Le Mans 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 Costa de Prata would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Costa de Prata than you might in Le Mans.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Le Mans Expensive? and Is Costa de Prata Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Le Mans or Costa de Prata?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Le Mans or Costa de Prata in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Le Mans and Costa de Prata. Most visitors come to Le Mans for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Le Mans is cooler than Costa de Prata. Typically, the summer temperatures in Le Mans in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Costa de Prata averages at about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Costa de Prata this time of the year. In Le Mans, it's very sunny this time of the year. Le Mans usually receives less sunshine than Costa de Prata during summer. Le Mans gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Costa de Prata receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Le Mans usually receives more rain than Costa de Prata. Le Mans gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Le Mans or Costa de Prata in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Le Mans as well as Costa de Prata. The autumn months attract visitors to Le Mans because of the small town atmosphere.

In October, Le Mans is generally cooler than Costa de Prata. Daily temperatures in Le Mans average around 13°C (55°F), and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

In the autumn, Le Mans often gets less sunshine than Costa de Prata. Le Mans gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Costa de Prata receives 184 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Costa de Prata. Le Mans usually gets less rain in October than Costa de Prata. Le Mans gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Le Mans or Costa de Prata in the Winter?

Both Costa de Prata and Le Mans are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Le Mans this time of year.

It's quite cold in Le Mans in the winter. Le Mans is much colder than Costa de Prata in the winter. The daily temperature in Le Mans averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Le Mans usually receives less sunshine than Costa de Prata during winter. Le Mans gets 54 hours of sunny skies, while Costa de Prata receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Costa de Prata. In January, Le Mans usually receives less rain than Costa de Prata. Le Mans gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Le Mans or Costa de Prata in the Spring?

Both Costa de Prata and Le Mans during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Le Mans for the small town charm.

In the spring, Le Mans is cooler than Costa de Prata. Typically, the spring temperatures in Le Mans in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Costa de Prata averages at about 15°C (59°F).

In Costa de Prata, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Le Mans often gets less sunshine than Costa de Prata. Le Mans gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Costa de Prata receives 217 hours of full sun.

Le Mans usually gets less rain in April than Costa de Prata. Le Mans gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Costa de Prata and Le Mans