Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Salvador?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Salvador or La Fortuna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador 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: Salvador or La Fortuna?
Salvador
Salvador de Bahia was the first capital of Brazil, founded by the Portuguese in 1549. Also known as "Brazil's capital of happiness," Salvador is famous for its plentiful and spirited street festivals. The third most populous city in Brazil, Salvador is also well-known for its Afro-Brazilian culture and Portuguese colonial architecture.
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 Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, 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 daySalvador $44La Fortuna $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $44, 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 Salvador and La Fortuna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24La Fortuna $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48La Fortuna $102
Compare Hotels in Salvador and La Fortuna
Looking for a hotel in Salvador 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: Salvador Hotel Prices and La Fortuna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salvador $6.02La Fortuna $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:
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Bus from Airport$1.17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:
- Shared Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $16
- Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $16
- Transfers: Airport, Hotels, Maritime Terminals, Bus Station.: $23
- Tourism and Transfer Salvador and Morro de São Paulo: $24
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel Litoral Norte: $24
- Transfer Hotel in Salvador / Salvador Airport: $24
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel in Salvador: $24
- Praia do Forte Shared Transfer From Salvador : $28
- Private Transfer from Salvador to Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port: $29
- Salvador to Salvador de Bahia Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Salvador Airport (SSA) to Salvador - Arrival Private Transfer: $29
- Private Transfer from Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port to Salvador : $29
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 Salvador or La Fortuna?
Prices for flights to both La Fortuna and Salvador 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 daySalvador $13La Fortuna $27
Typical Food Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:
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Dinner for 2$1.37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.
- 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
- 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
- Private Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
- Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $132
- Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $140
- Baiana Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $152
- Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $195
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.Salvador $5.67La Fortuna $44
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Salvador, Vitória & Barra: Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Salvador, Pelourinho: Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $7.84
- Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $13
- Panoramic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
- Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
- Full Day Tour to Frades Islands + Itaparica: $22
- Regular Tour to Forte Beach - Leaving Salvador by Bahia Top Turismo: $24
- Panoramic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $25
- Historic City Tour in Salvador: $25
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
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 daySalvador $5.38La Fortuna $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:
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Beers for 2$1.37
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Drinks$2.74
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and La Fortuna, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Salvador much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Salvador is in South 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 Salvador would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salvador 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 Salvador.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salvador Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salvador or La Fortuna?
Salvador has a larger population, and is about 900 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Salvador 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 Salvador or La Fortuna?
Salvador 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 Salvador or La Fortuna in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and La Fortuna. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Salvador is generally around the same temperature as La Fortunain July. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 27°C (81°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Salvador, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salvador usually receives more sunshine than La Fortuna during summer. Salvador gets 246 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. Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Salvador usually receives less rain than La Fortunain July. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 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 January and JulySalvador 27°C (81°F)La Fortuna 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Salvador or La Fortuna in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Salvador as well as La Fortuna. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.
Salvador is around the same temperature as La Fortuna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
In the autumn, Salvador often gets more sunshine than La Fortunain October. Salvador gets 190 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in La Fortuna. Salvador receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Salvador usually gets more rain in April than La Fortunain October. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSalvador 26°C (80°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Salvador or La Fortuna in the Winter?
Both La Fortuna and Salvador are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Salvador is cooler than La Fortuna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salvador in July average around 24°C (75°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in La Fortuna. Salvador usually receives less sunshine than La Fortuna during winter. Salvador gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Salvador. In July, Salvador usually receives more rain than La Fortunain January. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 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 July and JanuarySalvador 24°C (75°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Salvador or La Fortuna in the Spring?
Both La Fortuna and Salvador during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.
In October, Salvador is generally cooler than La Fortunain April. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 26°C (78°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 Salvador. In the spring, Salvador often gets less sunshine than La Fortunain April. Salvador gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in October than La Fortunain April. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSalvador 26°C (78°F)La Fortuna 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Salvador
| Salvador | La Fortuna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 310 mm (12.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 360 mm (14.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 175 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 143 mm (5.6 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.