Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Veracruz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Veracruz or La Fortuna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Veracruz and La Fortuna can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Veracruz or La Fortuna?
Veracruz
Veracruz is the name of both a state and city in the country of Mexico. Locals often call the city "Puerto" (port) in order to differentiate the city from the state. The general area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses ruins, old colonial cities, lush green mountains, and delicious seafood.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, 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 dayVeracruz $122La Fortuna $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Veracruz is $122, 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 Veracruz and La Fortuna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVeracruz $54La Fortuna $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVeracruz $108La Fortuna $102
Compare Hotels in Veracruz and La Fortuna
Looking for a hotel in Veracruz 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: Veracruz Hotel Prices and La Fortuna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Veracruz $28La Fortuna $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Veracruz
Also for Veracruz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Arrival Private Transfer: $14
- Shared Arrival Transfer: General Heriberto Jara International Airport to Veracruz Hotels: $23
- Airport Transfer: $25
- Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $28
- Transfer from Veracruz Airport to Hotel in Veracruz Port: $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:
- Puerto Viejo de Limon: Transfer to La Fortuna de Arenal: $400
- La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Puerto Viejo de Limon: $400
- La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Manuel Antonio or Quepos: $320
- Private One-Way Transfer to Manuel Antonio: $310
- La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Tamarindo: $307
- Private Transfer from la Fortuna to Puerto Viejo & Cahuita Limon: $299
- VIP Private Transfer from La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano) to Tamarindo Beach: $299
- Private Transfer From La Fortuna To Manuel Antonio From 1 to 6 passengers: $297
- From San Jose Airport To Arenal - La Fortuna - PRIVATE TRANSFER: $295
- Transfer from Arenal or La Fortuna to Monteverde up to 5 passengers. (One Way): $295
- Private One-Way Transfer from/to La Fortuna to Papagayo Peninsula: $289
- Private Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Arenal - La Fortuna: $285
Is it cheaper to fly into Veracruz or La Fortuna?
Prices for flights to both La Fortuna and Veracruz 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 dayVeracruz $50La Fortuna $27
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.Veracruz $15La Fortuna $44
Tours and Activities in Veracruz
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Veracruz.
- Hop-On Hop-Off Double-Decker Bus Tour: $7.87
- Panoramic Sightseeing Tour of Veracruz: $8.00
- San Juan de Ulua Fortress Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- San Juan de Ulua Fortress of Veracruz Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- Sightseeing City Tour and Aquarium: $22
- From Nature & Seafood Boat Tour to Madinga: $23
- 3-hour tour to the San Juan de Ulúa Fortress: $25
- Sightseeing City Tour and Wax & Ripley´s Museums: $25
- From San Juan de Ulua Prison Tour: $26
- Mandinga And Boat Trip Tour: $26
- Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark: Veracruz - Ticket: $27
- San Juan De Ulua Tour: $29
Tours and Activities in La Fortuna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Fortuna are as follows:
- Arenal Volcano Hike Experience (not guide included): $23
- La Fortuna's 3 Essentials Private Tour: $280
- Rio Celeste Tubing Experience: $54
- Sky Adventures Arenal : Zipline - Sky Tram & Sky Walk (guided): $260
- 1-Hour Private Sloth Tour in the Rainforest from Costa Rica: $30
- 12 cable Zipline Canopy Tour Over Waterfalls!: $101
- 2-Hour Chachagua Rainforest - Birdwatching Tour: $60
- 2-in-1 Arenal Combo Tour: River Safari Float and La Fortuna Waterfall: $170
- 2-in-1 Arenal Volcano Combo Tour: La Fortuna Waterfall and Volcano Hike: $170
- 6 Course Tropical Rainforest Foodie Adventure: $199
- 7 Nights Costa Rica Fully Guided Adventure: $2,000
- 7 cable Zipline Canopy Tour Over La Fortuna Waterfall!: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVeracruz $17La Fortuna $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Veracruz and La Fortuna, we can see that Veracruz is more expensive. And not only is La Fortuna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Veracruz is in North 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 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 Veracruz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Veracruz 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 Veracruz Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Veracruz or La Fortuna?
Veracruz has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Veracruz 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 Veracruz or La Fortuna?
Veracruz 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 Veracruz or La Fortuna in the Summer?
Both La Fortuna and Veracruz during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.
Veracruz is around the same temperature as La Fortuna in the summer. The daily temperature in Veracruz averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Veracruz. In the summer, Veracruz often gets more sunshine than La Fortuna. Veracruz gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 164 hours of full sun.
La Fortuna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Veracruz. Veracruz usually gets more rain in July than La Fortuna. Veracruz gets 410 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVeracruz 27°C (81°F)La Fortuna 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or La Fortuna in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Veracruz and La Fortuna. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Veracruz is around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Veracruz in October average around 26°C (79°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Veracruz usually receives more sunshine than La Fortuna during autumn. Veracruz gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
La Fortuna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Veracruz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Veracruz usually receives less rain than La Fortuna. Veracruz gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVeracruz 26°C (79°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or La Fortuna in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Veracruz as well as La Fortuna. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.
In January, Veracruz is generally cooler than La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Veracruz average around 21°C (71°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. In the winter, Veracruz often gets less sunshine than La Fortuna. Veracruz gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun.
Veracruz usually gets more rain in January than La Fortuna. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVeracruz 21°C (71°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or La Fortuna in the Spring?
Both La Fortuna and Veracruz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Veracruz is cooler than La Fortuna in the spring. The daily temperature in Veracruz averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It's quite sunny in La Fortuna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Veracruz. Veracruz usually receives less sunshine than La Fortuna during spring. Veracruz gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Veracruz usually receives less rain than La Fortuna. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVeracruz 26°C (78°F)La Fortuna 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Veracruz
| Veracruz | La Fortuna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (71°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (71°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (74°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 410 mm (16.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 346 mm (13.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (76°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 27 mm (1.1 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.