A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Taupo vs. La Ceiba for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Taupo or La Ceiba?

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

Should I visit Taupo or La Ceiba? 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: Taupo or La Ceiba?

Taupo

Taupo is a town located in the center of the North Island, situated on the shores of Lake Taupo, which is New Zealand's largest lake. It is also the caldera of the Taupo Volcano. It has a population of 23,700 people and is visited by many people interested in fishing, boating, and other water activities. There are many hiking and biking trails that take you around the water as well.

La Ceiba

La Ceiba is the third largest city in Honduras, situated on the north Caribbean coast. The city has a population of about a quarter million people. Many people who visit this city do so before heading into Pico Bonito National Park. It hasn't had the best infrastructure for tourists in the past but is developing fast. It is about 200 kilometers from San Pedro Sula, another large city in Honduras.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.


Which place is cheaper, La Ceiba or Taupo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Taupo is $128, while the average daily cost in La Ceiba is $74. 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 Taupo and La Ceiba in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Taupo $62
    La Ceiba $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Taupo $124
    La Ceiba $44
Compare Hotels in Taupo and La Ceiba

Looking for a hotel in Taupo or La Ceiba? 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.

Hotels in Taupo


Hotels in La Ceiba


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: Taupo Hotel Prices and La Ceiba Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Taupo $25
    La Ceiba $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taupo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Taupo:

  • Tongariro Crossing : 2 Day PRIVATE TRANSFER Leaving AUCKLAND: $1,113

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Ceiba

Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Ceiba:

  • Ferry Transfer between La Ceiba and Roatán Island: $43
  • From Copan: One Way Shared Transfer to La Ceiba: $29
  • From Roatan: One Way Shared transfer to La Ceiba: $49
  • Private Transfer from Goloson Airport (LCE) to Banana Coast Port: $180
  • Private Transfer from La Ceiba hotels to Banana Coast Cruise Port: $180

Is it cheaper to fly into Taupo or La Ceiba?

Prices for flights to both La Ceiba and Taupo 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 day
    Taupo $41
    La Ceiba $30

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Taupo $34
    La Ceiba $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Taupo

Here are a few typical costs in Taupo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Bungy Jumping
    $151
  • Jet Boating
    $56

Tours and Activities in Taupo

Here are a few actual costs in Taupo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Marvelous Circus: $22
  • Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Candy Cottage: $22
  • Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Cursed Cabin: $22
  • Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Hunting Lodge: $22
  • Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave Entry Ticket: $29
  • Lake Taupō Māori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise aboard Ernest Kemp: $30
  • Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako: $30
  • Lake Maori Rock Carvings 10.30 AM 1.5-Hour Cruise: $35
  • Lake 1.5-Hour Maori Rock Carvings 5:00 PM Cruise: $35
  • Lake Maori Rock Carvings 8.30 AM 1.5-Hour Cruise: $35
  • Maori Rock Carvings - Taupo Sailing Adventures - Kindred Spirit: $35
  • Daily Scenic Maori Rock Carving Cruise Taupo: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Taupo $13
    La Ceiba $4.85
Typical Alcohol Prices in Taupo

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Taupo from other travelers:


  • Wine
    $5.03


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Taupo and La Ceiba, we can see that Taupo is more expensive. And not only is La Ceiba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Taupo is in Pacific and La Ceiba 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 Ceiba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Ceiba 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 Taupo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Taupo than you might in La Ceiba.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Taupo Expensive? and Is La Ceiba Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Taupo or La Ceiba?

La Ceiba has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Taupo. When comparing the sizes of Taupo and La Ceiba, 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.