Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Saint John's?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Saint John's or La Fortuna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's 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: Saint John's or La Fortuna?
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John's $222La Fortuna $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $222, 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 Saint John's and La Fortuna in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120La Fortuna $51
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240La Fortuna $102
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and La Fortuna
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17La Fortuna $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
-
Local Bus$1.52
-
Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
- Private One-Way Antigua Airport Transfer To/From Antigua: $45
- Shared Roundtrip Taxi Transfer from Antigua Airport to Royalton Antigua Resort: $45
- Airport Transfer from/to all resorts in Antigua - Water Inc.: $59
- Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
- VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $74
- Island to Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU)- Private Transfer: $77
- Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU) to island Private Transfer: $77
- Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Island Hotels: $78
- Antigua VC Bird Airport to Island Hotels Private Arrival Transfer: $81
- Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $99
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: $152
- From La Fortuna/La Palma: Private Transfer to Tamarindo: $280
- From Lake Arenal Kayaking Trip with Transfer: $90
- From San Jose Airport To Arenal - La Fortuna - PRIVATE TRANSFER: $295
- La Fortuna Private Transfer to San Jose Airport : $231
- 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 Liberia or LIR Airport: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or La Fortuna?
Prices for flights to both La Fortuna and Saint John's 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
-
Food Meals for one daySaint John's $68La Fortuna $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- 1-Course Vegan Cooking Class w Beautiful Ambience.: $99
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103La Fortuna $44
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chariot City Tour Antigua: $20
- City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience : $66
- Small-Group Hiking Experience in Antigua: $70
- Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
- 2-Hours Stingray City Experience in Antigua: $73
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
- Kayak Eco Adventures Glass Kayak Nature and Snorkeling Tour: $75
- Authentic Antiguan Experience: $79
- TRIPLE ACTIVITY TOUR, Bike Kayak Hike, ANTIGUA : $80
- Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John's $18La Fortuna $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and La Fortuna, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is La Fortuna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's 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 Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's 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 Saint John's Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint John's or La Fortuna?
Saint John's has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's 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 Saint John's 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 Saint John's or La Fortuna in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and La Fortuna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
La Fortuna receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint John's usually receives less rain than La Fortuna. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than La Fortuna during summer. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
Saint John's is around the same temperature as La Fortuna in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)La Fortuna 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or La Fortuna in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as La Fortuna. Saint John's 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. Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John's usually gets less rain in October than La Fortuna. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than La Fortuna. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Saint John's is around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint John's in October average around 27°C (80°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 27°C (81°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or La Fortuna in the Winter?
Both La Fortuna and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Saint John's usually receives more rain than La Fortuna. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in La Fortuna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives less sunshine than La Fortuna during winter. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint John's is generally cooler than La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 24°C (76°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or La Fortuna in the Spring?
Both La Fortuna and Saint John's during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets more rain in April than La Fortuna. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 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 Saint John's. In the spring, Saint John's often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Fortuna. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun.
Saint John's is cooler than La Fortuna in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)La Fortuna 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Saint John's
| Saint John's | La Fortuna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.