A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Fernando vs. Montanita for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Fernando or Montanita?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Fernando or Montanita, 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 Montanita?

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.

Montanita

Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Fernando and Montanita, we can see that San Fernando is more expensive. And not only is Montanita much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Fernando is in Caribbean Islands and Montanita is in South 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 Montanita would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montanita 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 Montanita.

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 Montanita Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit San Fernando or Montanita?

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 San Fernando or Montanita in the Summer?

Both Montanita and San Fernando are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in San Fernando. In July, San Fernando usually receives more rain than Montanita. San Fernando gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during summer. San Fernando gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 107 hours of full sun in the summer.

In the summer, San Fernando is around the same temperature as Montanita. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Fernando in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Montanita averages at about 25°C (78°F).

Should I visit San Fernando or Montanita in the Autumn?

Both Montanita and San Fernando during the autumn 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 Montanita year-round.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually gets more rain in October than Montanita. San Fernando gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in San Fernando. In the autumn, San Fernando often gets more sunshine than Montanita. San Fernando gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 117 hours of full sun.

In October, San Fernando is generally around the same temperature as Montanita. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 27°C (81°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Should I visit San Fernando or Montanita in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Fernando and Montanita. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Fernando year-round. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, San Fernando usually receives less rain than Montanita. San Fernando gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In San Fernando, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Fernando usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during winter. San Fernando gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

San Fernando is around the same temperature as Montanita in the winter. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Should I visit San Fernando or Montanita in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to San Fernando as well as Montanita. San Fernando attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year.

San Fernando usually gets less rain in April than Montanita. San Fernando gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando this time of the year. In the spring, San Fernando often gets more sunshine than Montanita. San Fernando gets 238 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 133 hours of full sun.

In the spring, San Fernando is around the same temperature as Montanita. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Fernando in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Montanita averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Typical Weather for Montanita and San Fernando