Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Nassau?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nassau or La Fortuna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nassau or La Fortuna, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Nassau or La Fortuna?
Nassau
There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.
As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.
Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.
Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.
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 dayNassau $189La Fortuna $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Nassau is $189, 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 Nassau and La Fortuna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNassau $109La Fortuna $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNassau $218La Fortuna $102
Compare Hotels in Nassau and La Fortuna
Looking for a hotel in Nassau 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: Nassau Hotel Prices and La Fortuna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nassau $32La Fortuna $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:
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Water Taxi$8.02
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Taxi to Cable Beach$25
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Taxi from Airport$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:
- Private One-Way Transfer from Lynden Airport to Bahamas: $30
- Shared Shuttle Transfer to NAS Airport - Departure: $34
- Shared Shuttle Transfer from NAS Airport - Arrival: $34
- Private One-Way Transfer from Nassau to Lynden Pindling Airport: $36
- Nassau Cruise Port to Nassau hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Nassau cruise port to Nassau Airport (NAS) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau cruise port - Arrival Transfer: $40
- Nassau Airport Round-trip Shared Transfers: $45
- Private Transfer in Nassau: $45
- Nassau hotel or address to Nassau Airport (NAS) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
- Chippies Airport/Hotel Transfers Transportation: $55
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
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Arenal La Fortuna: $42
- Transfer From Liberia Airport To Arenal La Fortuna San Carlos: $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
- La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Liberia or LIR Airport: $70
- Private Transfer from La Fortuna to Juan Santa Maria Airport: $85
- From Lake Arenal Kayaking Trip with Transfer: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Nassau or La Fortuna?
Prices for flights to both La Fortuna and Nassau 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 dayNassau $53La Fortuna $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nassau.
- Nassau Food Tour and Beach Break: $65
- Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
- Savor Old Nassau Dining Stroll by Tru Bahamian Food Tours: $116
- Sail Catamaran Sunset Dinner Cruise: $116
- Dinner and Dancing: $130
- Authentic Bahamian Cooking Class: $135
- Bahamian Cooking Class Lunch Experience by Tru Bahamian Food Tour: $140
- Island Food Tour: $140
- Gourmet dinner & sunset cruise on luxury catamaran: $375
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.Nassau $37La Fortuna $44
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:
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Jet Ski$50
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4 Hr Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Nassau
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nassau are as follows:
- Champagne and Diamond Shopping Experience in Downtown, Bahamas: $5.00
- Archie's Weekend Tour with Seafood Snack and Spanish Friendly: $7.00
- KINDWalk — Nassau Historical and Cultural Walking Tour: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Nassau Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Jewel of the Bahamas: $15
- Heritage Museum of The Bahamas Nassau Guided Tour: $20
- Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours: $28
- Roundtrip Shuttle from Cruise Terminal at Prince George Wharf: $29
- Nassau Sightseeing Bus Tour: $35
- Big Bus Private Tour (minimum of 15): $43
- Bahamas Ghost Walking Tour: $44
- Private Sightseeing in Fort Montagu with Crab and Seafood meal: $45
Tours and Activities in La Fortuna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Fortuna are as follows:
- Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket: $20
- Two Destinations Tour - La Fortuna Top Destinations : $20
- Arenal Volcano Hike Experience (not guide included): $23
- Sloth Tour: $30
- Rainforest Chocolate Tour from La Fortuna: $30
- 1-Hour Private Sloth Tour in the Rainforest from Costa Rica: $30
- Don Olivo Chocolate Tour: $30
- Rainforest Chocolate Tour: $30
- arenal fortuna city tour: $30
- Organic chocolate tour : $31
- Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges Admission Ticket: $32
- Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park: $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNassau $19La Fortuna $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:
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Cocktail$6.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Nassau
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nassau:
- Nassau Rum Distillery Tour: $25
- Rum Runners Pub Crawl: $140
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nassau and La Fortuna, we can see that Nassau is more expensive. And not only is La Fortuna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nassau 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 La Fortuna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Fortuna 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 Nassau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nassau than you might in La Fortuna.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nassau Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nassau or La Fortuna?
Nassau has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Nassau 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 Nassau or La Fortuna?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Nassau or La Fortuna in the Summer?
Both La Fortuna and Nassau are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nassau 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 Nassau. In July, Nassau usually receives less rain than La Fortuna. Nassau gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nassau. Nassau usually receives more sunshine than La Fortuna during summer. Nassau gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Nassau is around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nassau in July average around 28°C (82°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNassau 28°C (82°F)La Fortuna 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Nassau or La Fortuna in the Autumn?
Both La Fortuna and Nassau during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nassau because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.
La Fortuna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nassau. Nassau usually gets less rain in October than La Fortuna. Nassau gets 184 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Nassau. In the autumn, Nassau often gets more sunshine than La Fortuna. Nassau gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun.
In October, Nassau is generally around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Nassau average around 26°C (79°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNassau 26°C (79°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Nassau or La Fortuna in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nassau and La Fortuna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nassau year-round. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Nassau usually receives more rain than La Fortuna. Nassau gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Fortuna this time of the year. In Nassau, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nassau usually receives less sunshine than La Fortuna during winter. Nassau gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
Nassau is cooler than La Fortuna in the winter. The daily temperature in Nassau averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNassau 21°C (70°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Nassau or La Fortuna in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Nassau as well as La Fortuna. Nassau attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.
Nassau usually gets more rain in April than La Fortuna. Nassau gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nassau this time of the year. In the spring, Nassau often gets more sunshine than La Fortuna. Nassau gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Nassau is cooler than La Fortuna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nassau in April average around 23°C (74°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNassau 23°C (74°F)La Fortuna 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Nassau
| Nassau | La Fortuna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (74°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (80°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (71°F) | 60 mm (2.4 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.