Which place is cheaper, Montanita or Liberia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Liberia 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 Liberia 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: Liberia or Montanita?
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of 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 dayLiberia $112Montanita $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Liberia is $112, 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 Liberia and Montanita in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLiberia $60Montanita $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLiberia $120Montanita $82
Compare Hotels in Liberia and Montanita
Looking for a hotel in Liberia 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: Liberia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Liberia $43Montanita $39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Bike Rental$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- Transfer Dreams Las Mareas from Airports ROUND TRIP: $300
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Santa Teresa: $300
- Punta Islita Hotel to/from Liberia Airport - Shuttle & Transfers Service: $279
- Liberia Airport (LIR)to Malpais / Montezuma - Raund-Trip Transfer: $272
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Nosara: $250
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas: $245
- One-Way Private Transfer from Liberia Guanacaste Airport to La Fortuna (Arenal): $241
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas, Costa Rica: $240
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Arenal / La Fortuna : $232
- Transfers Tamarindo Diria or Occidental Tamarindo, Round Trip.: $230
- Private Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas - Costa Rica: $215
- Private Transfer Ato Lir - JW Marriott Standar: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into Liberia or Montanita?
Prices for flights to both Montanita and Liberia 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 dayLiberia $21Montanita $28
Typical Food Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Snacks$1.97
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Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$4.95
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Lunch$11
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$14
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Ginger Ale$1.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.
- 2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara : $65
- Private Local Cooking Class in Nosara: $85
- Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Liberia $25Montanita $31
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- ATV Tour Guanacaste the Beach Excursion & Trail: $110
- Llanos de Cortez Safari and Waterfall Tour: $190
- Mega Combo Adventure: $195
- Nicaragua one day tour from Costa Rica, Discover it: $250
- (Private) La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike: $41
- 2 Hour ATV Private Tour in Costa Rica: $81
- 2 In 1 Jet Sky & Buggy Private Tour: $300
- 2-Hours UTV Tour: $110
- 3 Hour ATV Adventure Tour in El Jobo: $130
- 4 Tours in 1 Action Package - Playa del Coco area: $170
- 5 in 1 sloth, Rainforest, waterfalls, hanging bridges, volcanic activity tour.: $285
- 6 Hours Guanacaste Cultural and Local Farm Experience: $77
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLiberia $13Montanita $7.86
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Liberia and Montanita, we can see that Liberia is more expensive. And not only is Montanita much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Liberia is in Central America and Montanita 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 Montanita would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montanita 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 Liberia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liberia than you might in Montanita.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Liberia Expensive? and Is Montanita Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Liberia 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 Liberia or Montanita in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Liberia as well as Montanita. Liberia attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year.
Liberia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Liberia usually gets more rain in July than Montanita. Liberia 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, Liberia often gets more sunshine than Montanita. Liberia gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 107 hours of full sun.
In July, Liberia is generally around the same temperature as Montanita. Daily temperatures in Liberia average around 28°C (82°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLiberia 28°C (82°F)Montanita 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Liberia or Montanita in the Autumn?
Both Montanita and Liberia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Liberia throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Liberia is December to April. The rainy season in Liberia is April to December. It's quite rainy in Liberia. In October, Liberia usually receives more rain than Montanita. Liberia gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Liberia usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during autumn. Liberia gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 117 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Liberia is around the same temperature as Montanita in the autumn. The daily temperature in Liberia averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Montanita fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLiberia 27°C (81°F)Montanita 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Liberia or Montanita in the Winter?
Both Montanita and Liberia during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Liberia because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round.
Liberia usually gets less rain in January than Montanita. Liberia 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 Liberia. In the winter, Liberia often gets more sunshine than Montanita. Liberia gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 88 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Liberia is around the same temperature as Montanita. Typically, the winter temperatures in Liberia in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Montanita averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLiberia 27°C (81°F)Montanita 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Liberia or Montanita in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Liberia and Montanita. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Liberia year-round. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in Liberia is the dry season. Also, April to December is the rainy season in Liberia. In April, Liberia usually receives less rain than Montanita. Liberia gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In Liberia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Liberia usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during spring. Liberia gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 133 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Liberia is generally around the same temperature as Montanita. Daily temperatures in Liberia average around 29°C (85°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLiberia 29°C (85°F)Montanita 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Montanita and Liberia
| Liberia | 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.