Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or La Fortuna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) and La Fortuna can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or La Fortuna?
Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)
Situated in the Golfo Dulce, Puerto Jiminez has grown from a logging and gold mining town in the 1960s to become the largest town on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula. Today, it serves as a main gateway to Corcovado National Park, a last stopping point before visitors enter the park. Puerto Jiminez also has a lively night life, a beach, and easy access to a number of outdoors activities.
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 Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $115La Fortuna $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is $115, 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) and La Fortuna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $49La Fortuna $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $98La Fortuna $102
Compare Hotels in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) and La Fortuna
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) 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: Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) Hotel Prices and La Fortuna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) -La Fortuna $21
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
- 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
- From Lake Arenal Kayaking Trip with Transfer: $90
- Direct Transfer From La Fortuna to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $152
- La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Liberia or LIR Airport: $187
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or La Fortuna?
Prices for flights to both La Fortuna and Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) 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 dayPuerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $35La Fortuna $27
Typical Food Prices in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) are as follows:
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Dinner at Finca Exotica$54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Fortuna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Fortuna.
- Sloth Tour in La Fortuna and Tortillas Cooking Class: $35
- 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
- Cooking and Salsa Dance Lesson Combo : $74
- 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.Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $119La Fortuna $44
Tours and Activities in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) are as follows:
- Bio-Luminescence and Sunset Kayak Tour: $62
- 4 Hour Private Guided Tour in Osa Jungle : $120
- One Day Tour To Caño Island From Drake Bay: $125
- Day tours Corcovado Total Adventure: $150
- Corcovado day tour- Sirena Station With Lunch- Small Group : $190
- 30-minute Corcovado National Park Tour by Plane: $256
- One Day Tour to Corcovado (La Leona Station) From Puerto Jiménez: $299
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
- Arenal Volcano Hike Experience (not guide included): $23
- Arenal Observatory Trails Admission Ticket: $29
- arenal fortuna city tour: $30
- Rainforest Chocolate Tour from La Fortuna: $30
- Rainforest Chocolate Tour: $30
- Don Olivo Chocolate Tour: $30
- 1-Hour Private Sloth Tour in the Rainforest from Costa Rica: $30
- Night tour through the Tropical Forest at Tifakara : $32
- Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park: $32
- Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges Admission Ticket: $32
- Arenal 1968 Trail Park Admission Ticket: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) -La Fortuna $11
When comparing the travel costs between Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) and La Fortuna, we can see that Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Central America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.
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.