Which place is cheaper, Liberia or San Fernando?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Fernando or Liberia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Fernando or Liberia, 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: San Fernando or Liberia?
San Fernando
As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of 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 daySan Fernando $153Liberia $112
The average daily cost (per person) in San Fernando is $153, while the average daily cost in Liberia is $112. 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 San Fernando and Liberia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Fernando $74Liberia $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Fernando $148Liberia $120
Compare Hotels in San Fernando and Liberia
Looking for a hotel in San Fernando or Liberia? 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: Liberia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Fernando $50Liberia $43
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Bike Rental$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- Transfer Dreams Las Mareas from Airports ROUND TRIP: $300
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Santa Teresa: $300
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Dreams Las Mareas Hotel: $295
- Punta Islita Hotel to/from Liberia Airport - Shuttle & Transfers Service: $279
- Liberia Airport To Rio Perdido & Thermal River - PRIVATE TRANSFER: $275
- Liberia Airport (LIR)to Malpais / Montezuma - Raund-Trip Transfer: $272
- Liberia Airport To Nandel Beach Resort, Private Transfer: $265
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Nosara: $250
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas: $245
- One-Way Private Transfer from Liberia Guanacaste Airport to La Fortuna (Arenal): $241
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas, Costa Rica: $240
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Arenal / La Fortuna : $232
Is it cheaper to fly into San Fernando or Liberia?
Prices for flights to both Liberia and San Fernando 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 daySan Fernando $48Liberia $21
Typical Food Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Snacks$1.97
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Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$4.95
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Lunch$11
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$14
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Ginger Ale$1.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.
- 2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara : $65
- Private Local Cooking Class in Nosara: $85
- Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Fernando $28Liberia $25
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- ATV Tour Guanacaste the Beach Excursion & Trail: $110
- Llanos de Cortez Safari and Waterfall Tour: $190
- Nicaragua one day tour from Costa Rica, Discover it: $250
- 2 Hour ATV Experience From Guanacaste: $180
- 2 Hour ATV Private Tour in Costa Rica: $81
- 2-Hour ATV Tour: $110
- 2-Hours UTV Tour: $110
- 3 Hour ATV Adventure Tour in El Jobo: $120
- 4 Tours in 1 Action Package - Playa del Coco area: $170
- 5 in 1 sloth, Rainforest, waterfalls, hanging bridges, volcanic activity tour.: $285
- 6 Hours Guanacaste Cultural and Local Farm Experience: $77
- 7 Hour Private Tour in Palo Verde National Park with Pickup: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Fernando $22Liberia $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Fernando and Liberia, we can see that San Fernando is more expensive. And not only is Liberia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Fernando is in Caribbean Islands and Liberia 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 Liberia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Liberia 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 San Fernando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Fernando than you might in Liberia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Fernando Expensive? and Is Liberia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Fernando or Liberia?
San Fernando has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Liberia. When comparing the sizes of San Fernando and Liberia, 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 San Fernando or Liberia?
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 San Fernando or Liberia in the Summer?
Both Liberia and San Fernando during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Fernando because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Liberia year-round.
Liberia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually gets more rain in July than Liberia. San Fernando gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in San Fernando. In the summer, San Fernando often gets more sunshine than Liberia. San Fernando gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Liberia receives 164 hours of full sun.
In July, San Fernando is generally around the same temperature as Liberia. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 27°C (81°F), and Liberia fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Fernando 27°C (81°F)Liberia 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit San Fernando or Liberia in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Fernando and Liberia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Fernando year-round. Liberia attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in Liberia is the dry season. Also, April to December is the rainy season in Liberia. Liberia receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Fernando gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Fernando usually receives less rain than Liberia. San Fernando gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In San Fernando, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Fernando usually receives more sunshine than Liberia during autumn. San Fernando gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Liberia receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Fernando is around the same temperature as Liberia in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Liberia fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Fernando 27°C (81°F)Liberia 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Fernando or Liberia in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to San Fernando as well as Liberia. San Fernando attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Liberia throughout the year.
San Fernando usually gets more rain in January than Liberia. San Fernando gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Liberia 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 Liberia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando this time of the year. In the winter, San Fernando often gets less sunshine than Liberia. San Fernando gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Liberia receives 264 hours of full sun.
In the winter, San Fernando is around the same temperature as Liberia. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Fernando in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Liberia averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Fernando 26°C (78°F)Liberia 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Fernando or Liberia in the Spring?
Both Liberia and San Fernando are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Liberia because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Liberia is December to April. The rainy season in Liberia is April to December. In April, San Fernando usually receives more rain than Liberia. San Fernando gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Liberia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Liberia during spring. San Fernando gets 238 hours of sunny skies, while Liberia receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, San Fernando is generally around the same temperature as Liberia. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 27°C (81°F), and Liberia fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Fernando 27°C (81°F)Liberia 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Liberia and San Fernando
| San Fernando | Liberia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 252 mm (9.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 225 mm (8.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 203 mm (8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 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.