Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Mandeville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mandeville or La Fortuna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mandeville or La Fortuna? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Mandeville or La Fortuna?
Mandeville
Mandeville is a small, quiet town in the mountains of Jamaica with a population of about 50,000. The town is situated on a plateau west of Kingston. It is the largest town in the parish of Manchester and the fifth largest urban center in the country.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandeville $81La Fortuna $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandeville is $81, while the average daily cost in La Fortuna is $104. 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 Mandeville and La Fortuna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandeville $38La Fortuna $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandeville $76La Fortuna $102
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and La Fortuna
Looking for a hotel in Mandeville or La Fortuna? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandeville $31La Fortuna $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:
- VIP Private Transfer from La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano) to Tamarindo Beach: $299
- Transfer from Arenal or La Fortuna to Monteverde up to 5 passengers. (One Way): $295
- Transfer TO or FROM San Jose city to Arenal - Fortuna Area. Private: $210
- Transfer TO or FROM La Fortuna Area to SJO Airport. Private, NOT SHARED: $210
- Transfer International ATO to Fortuna or return one way: $250
- Transfer Fortuna - Monteverde with Coffee Tour on The Way: $150
- Puerto Viejo de Limon: Transfer to La Fortuna de Arenal: $400
- Private Transfer to/from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna Area (Arenal Volcano): $213
- Private Transfer from la Fortuna to Puerto Viejo & Cahuita Limon: $299
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport to La Fortuna: $225
- Private Transfer from La Fortuna to Liberia Intl Airport LIR area: $215
- Private Transfer from La Fortuna to Juan Santamaria Airport area: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or La Fortuna?
Prices for flights to both La Fortuna and Mandeville 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 dayMandeville $24La Fortuna $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Fortuna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Fortuna.
- Skip the Line: Mineral Hot Springs Full Day Ticket w/ Optional Lunch or Dinner: $42
- Organic Farm Visit & Farm-to-Table Cooking Class: $45
- 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
- Cooking and Salsa Dance Lesson Combo : $74
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandeville $8.31La Fortuna $44
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: Hanging Bridges + La Fortuna Waterfall: $164
- 2-in-1 Arenal Volcano Combo Tour: La Fortuna Waterfall and Volcano Hike: $170
- 3-Hour Arenal Lake Flexi Pass Adventure In Costa Rica: $69
- 7 Nights Costa Rica Fully Guided Adventure: $2,000
- 7 cable Zipline Canopy Tour Over La Fortuna Waterfall!: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandeville $6.51La Fortuna $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandeville and La Fortuna, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Mandeville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mandeville is in Caribbean Islands and La Fortuna is in Central 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 Mandeville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandeville 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 Mandeville.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mandeville Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandeville or La Fortuna?
Mandeville has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville and La Fortuna, 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 Mandeville or La Fortuna?
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 Mandeville or La Fortuna in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as La Fortuna. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in La Fortuna. Mandeville usually gets less rain in July than La Fortuna. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mandeville this time of the year. In the summer, Mandeville often gets more sunshine than La Fortuna. Mandeville gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 164 hours of full sun.
Mandeville is around the same temperature as La Fortuna in the summer. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMandeville 29°C (83°F)La Fortuna 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or La Fortuna in the Autumn?
Both La Fortuna and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. It's quite rainy in Mandeville. In October, Mandeville usually receives less rain than La Fortuna. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually receives more sunshine than La Fortuna during autumn. Mandeville gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Mandeville is around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mandeville in October average around 28°C (82°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMandeville 28°C (82°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or La Fortuna in the Winter?
Both La Fortuna and Mandeville during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mandeville because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.
Mandeville usually gets more rain in January than La Fortuna. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In La Fortuna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mandeville. In the winter, Mandeville often gets less sunshine than La Fortuna. Mandeville gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun.
In January, Mandeville is generally around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 26°C (79°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMandeville 26°C (79°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or La Fortuna in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and La Fortuna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Mandeville usually receives more rain than La Fortuna. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Fortuna this time of the year. In Mandeville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mandeville usually receives less sunshine than La Fortuna during spring. Mandeville gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
Mandeville is cooler than La Fortuna in the spring. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMandeville 26°C (80°F)La Fortuna 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Mandeville
| Mandeville | La Fortuna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.