Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Negril or La Fortuna?
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 Negril and La Fortuna. 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: Negril or La Fortuna?
Negril
Negril is a town in western Jamaica known for its miles of white sand beaches and cliffs. It is certainly one of the more laid back towns on the island yet still attracts a lot of tourists. The hotels are as close to the water as you can get, and the sand gets whiter and whiter the further away from populated areas you get. The water is unbelievably clear and warm in Negril!
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 dayNegril $139La Fortuna $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $139, 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 Negril and La Fortuna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $106La Fortuna $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $212La Fortuna $102
Compare Hotels in Negril and La Fortuna
Looking for a hotel in Negril 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: Negril Hotel Prices and La Fortuna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.71La Fortuna $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Negril
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Negril:
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Taxi From Airport$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Negril
Also for Negril, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Grand Palladium Hotel: $36
- Round-Trip or Direct Private Airport Transfer to Lucea Resorts: $37
- Grand Palladium Airport Transfer: $37
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium: $40
- Grand Palladium Private Transfers from MBJ Airport: $40
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer To Negril Hotels Private: $47
- Private Airport Transfer Grand Palladium/ Lady Hamilton Jamaica: $47
- Grand Palladium Private Airport Transfer: $48
- Private Airport Transfers to Negril Hotels: $48
- Private Transfer from Negril to Sangster Airport (MBJ): $50
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril Hotel: $50
- One-Way & Round-Trip Private Transfer from Montego Bay to Negril *42O VIP Option: $50
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
- Transfer from Arenal or La Fortuna to Monteverde up to 5 passengers. (One Way): $295
- From San Jose Airport To Arenal - La Fortuna - PRIVATE TRANSFER: $295
- Private One-Way Transfer from/to La Fortuna to Papagayo Peninsula: $289
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Arenal La Fortuna: $280
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or La Fortuna?
Prices for flights to both La Fortuna and Negril 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 dayNegril $23La Fortuna $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Negril
For Negril, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio: $105
- Local food tour and local fields : $164
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.Negril $27La Fortuna $44
Typical Entertainment Prices in Negril
For Negril, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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2 Hr Horseback Ride$44
Tours and Activities in Negril
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Negril.
- Cruise Ship Excursion in Montego Bay : $41
- From Negril/Palladium: Negril Beach and Ricks Cafe Tour: $49
- Private Glass Bottom Boat Sight Seeing Tour Jamaica: $58
- Buddle's Taxi and Tours : $60
- Blue Hole Mineral Springs, Rick's Café, and Shopping Combo Tour: $75
- Negril Beach and Catamaran Cruise: $79
- Ricks Cafe Sunset Catamaran Cruise Negril Palladium Montego Bay: $85
- Jamwest JamCulture Tour from Negril: $89
- Rick's Cafe Sunset Cruise and Snorkelling: $90
- Bob Marley Birth Place Nine Mile Day Tour: $94
- Negril Catamaran Adults Only Cruise, Snorkeling and Rick's Cafe from Negril: $110
- Must Do-Accompong Town Maroon Village Tour & Celebration from Negril: $112
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 dayNegril $10La Fortuna $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and La Fortuna, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is La Fortuna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril 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 Negril would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Negril 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 Negril Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or La Fortuna?
La Fortuna has a larger population, and is about 0% larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril 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 Negril 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 Negril or La Fortuna in the Summer?
Both La Fortuna and Negril during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Negril 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 Negril. Negril usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as La Fortuna. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Negril. In the summer, Negril often gets more sunshine than La Fortuna. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 164 hours of full sun.
Negril is around the same temperature as La Fortuna in the summer. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)La Fortuna 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Negril or La Fortuna in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and La Fortuna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
La Fortuna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Negril gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Negril usually receives less rain than La Fortuna. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives more sunshine than La Fortuna during autumn. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Negril is around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Negril in October average around 27°C (81°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Negril or La Fortuna in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Negril as well as La Fortuna. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.
Negril usually gets more rain in January than La Fortuna. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 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 Negril this time of the year. In the winter, Negril often gets less sunshine than La Fortuna. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun.
In January, Negril is generally around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 25°C (77°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Negril or La Fortuna in the Spring?
Both La Fortuna and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Negril. In April, Negril usually receives more rain than La Fortuna. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in La Fortuna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives less sunshine than La Fortuna during spring. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
Negril is cooler than La Fortuna in the spring. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)La Fortuna 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Negril
| Negril | La Fortuna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 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.