Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Playa del Carmen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Playa del Carmen or La Fortuna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen 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: Playa del Carmen or La Fortuna?
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula. It's a popular resort town and is about seventy kilometers south of Cancun. It has a European atmosphere with many small hotels and a nice relaxed feel. It was originally a small fishing town but tourism began with the introduction of a passenger ferry to Cozumel. The area developed rapidly and there are many luxury hotels, condos, and resorts. There are also American chains and a variety of shopping opportunities nearby.
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 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, 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 dayPlaya del Carmen $81La Fortuna $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen and La Fortuna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $40La Fortuna $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $80La Fortuna $102
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and La Fortuna
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen 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: Playa del Carmen Hotel Prices and La Fortuna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $24La Fortuna $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Chetumal Airport (CTM) to Chetumal - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Private Transfer to Xplor / Xenses / Xplor Fire from Playa del Carmen: $25
- Shared transfer from Playa del Carmen tu Cancun airport: $25
- Shared Transfer Cancun Airport - Playa del Carmen: $31
- Akumal to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Maroma Beach: Entry Ticket to Maroma Beach Club & Transfer: $47
- Shared Transfer Cancun Airport - Puerto Aventuras: $48
- Private Transfer to Xel-Há Park from Playa del Carmen: $53
- Private Transfer Airport-Costa Mujeres/Playa Mujeres 1-8 pax: $59
- Shared roundtrip transfer from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen: $71
- Transfer in Private vehicle from Akumal City - Cancun Airport (CUN) : $74
- Akumal to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:
- Transfer From Liberia Airport To Arenal La Fortuna San Carlos: $42
- Arenal La Fortuna to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer : $63
- Arenal lake boat transfer from to Monteverde from La Fortuna: $60
- Costa Rica Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) -Arrival Private Transfer: $189
- Direct Transfer From La Fortuna to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $153
- From La Fortuna/La Palma: Private Transfer to Tamarindo: $280
- From Lake Arenal Kayaking Trip with Transfer: $90
- From Monteverde: 2 Day Hike in Fortuna with Hotel Transfer: $160
- From San Jose Airport To Arenal - La Fortuna - PRIVATE TRANSFER: $295
- La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Guapiles: $213
- La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Liberia or LIR Airport: $187
- La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Manuel Antonio or Quepos: $320
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or La Fortuna?
Prices for flights to both La Fortuna and Playa del Carmen 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 dayPlaya del Carmen $24La Fortuna $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Playa del Carmen
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Playa del Carmen.
- Cenotes by Bike and Mayan Cooking Class Half-Day Guided Tour: $60
- Walking Food Tour: $65
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $77
- Mexican Cooking Class: $100
- Seafood Tour in Playa del Carmen: $101
- PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $104
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Playa del Carmen: $120
- Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120
- Cultural Coba Sunset Adventure with Dinner and show from Cancun: $130
- Sunset Adventure in Coba and Dinner with Show from Riviera Maya: $155
- Riviera Maya: Sunset Cruise with Beach Dinner and Open Bar: $157
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Fortuna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Fortuna.
- 2 Hours Private Cooking Class in La Fortuna: $38
- Organic Farm Visit & 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
- Private cooking class in organic farm at La Fortuna: $75
- Ceviche & Empanadas Cooking Class: $77
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $17La Fortuna $44
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Shopping Tour & Tulum Mayan Ruins: $11
- Cancun Airport: Bus Ticket to/from Playa del Carmen: $14
- Tulum Ruins: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map: $15
- Ek Balam: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map: $15
- Riviera Maya: Frida Kahlo Museum Guided Tour 2024: $20
- YAL-KÚ Park in Riviera Maya Admission Ticket: $23
- Chichen Itza and Cenote Full Day Tour from Playa del Carmen: $28
- Ultramar Ferry, Regular round ticket, Playa del Carmen-Cozumel: $32
- Tulum and 2 Cenotes Half Day Tour from Riviera: $34
- Round-Trip Ferry Ticket to/from Cozumel: $35
- Mayan tour 4x1: Tulum, Cobá, Cenote & Playa del carmen: $35
- Tulum Ruins and Amusement Park Shared Tour: $37
Tours and Activities in La Fortuna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Fortuna are as follows:
- Two Destinations Tour - La Fortuna Top Destinations : $20
- Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket: $20
- Arenal Volcano Hike Experience (not guide included): $23
- Arenal Observatory Trails Admission Ticket: $29
- San Carlos: The Art of Chocolate Making Tour at Don Olivo: $30
- 1-Hour Private Sloth Tour in the Rainforest from Costa Rica: $30
- Private Sloth and Monkey Wildlife Tour: $30
- Rainforest Chocolate Tour: $30
- arenal fortuna city tour: $30
- Don Olivo Chocolate Tour: $30
- Sloth Tour: $30
- Night tour through the Tropical Forest at Tifakara : $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $21La Fortuna $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and La Fortuna, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Playa del Carmen is in North America 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 Playa del Carmen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Playa del Carmen Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or La Fortuna?
Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen or La Fortuna?
Playa del Carmen has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but La Fortuna experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or La Fortuna in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and La Fortuna. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 28°C (82°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than La Fortuna during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
La Fortuna receives a lot of rain in the summer. Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives around the same amount of rain as La Fortuna. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPlaya del Carmen 28°C (82°F)La Fortuna 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or La Fortuna in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as La Fortuna. The autumn months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.
Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as La Fortuna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the autumn, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than La Fortuna. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in La Fortuna. Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in October than La Fortuna. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPlaya del Carmen 26°C (79°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or La Fortuna in the Winter?
Both La Fortuna and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Playa del Carmen is cooler than La Fortuna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa del Carmen in January average around 23°C (73°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in La Fortuna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than La Fortuna during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than La Fortuna. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPlaya del Carmen 23°C (73°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or La Fortuna in the Spring?
Both La Fortuna and Playa del Carmen during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.
In April, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
In La Fortuna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the spring, Playa del Carmen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Fortuna. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun.
Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than La Fortuna. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPlaya del Carmen 27°C (81°F)La Fortuna 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Playa del Carmen
| Playa del Carmen | La Fortuna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 21 mm (0.8 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.