Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Aqaba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Aqaba or La Fortuna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba 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: Aqaba or La Fortuna?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
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 Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesLa Fortuna Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157La Fortuna $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in La Fortuna is $123. 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 Aqaba and La Fortuna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59La Fortuna $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118La Fortuna $102
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and La Fortuna
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and La Fortuna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24La Fortuna $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27
- Aqaba to Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) - Departure Private Transfer: $31
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Petra hotels: $49
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Cruise Port: $49
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Aqaba hotels: $49
- Snorkeling in The Red Sea With Equipment And Free Transfer: $51
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Port to King Hussein Airport (AQJ): $56
- Private Transfer from King Hussein Airport (AQJ)to Aqaba Port : $56
- Private Transfer from Aqaba city hotels to Aqaba Cruise Port: $56
- Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Wadi Rum: $60
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:
- Arenal La Fortuna to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer : $210
- From San Jose: One way shared transfer to La Fortuna: $74
- Guided Tour to Arenal Mistico Hanging Bridges with Transfer: $79
- La Fortuna Arenal Volcano Hotels to SJO Airport Private Transfer: $185
- One-Way Transfer from La Fortuna to Monteverde through Arenal Lake: $57
- Private Transfer From La Fortuna To Monteverde From 1 to 6 passengers: $271
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To La Fortuna: $40
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Arenal La Fortuna: $42
- Private Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Arenal - La Fortuna: $285
- Private Transfer from La Fortuna to Juan Santa Maria Airport: $110
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Arenal San Carlos: $41
- Private Transfer: La Fortuna Costa Rica: $235
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or La Fortuna?
Prices for flights to both La Fortuna and Aqaba 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 dayAqaba $73La Fortuna $47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner and Drinks: $54
- Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $75
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $111
- Wadi Rum New Year Eve Party (Jeep Tour + Dinner + Music + Fireworks + Overnight): $112
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- Wadi Rum Private Tour with Jeep Safari and Dinner: $220
- 4 Hours Jeep Tour with Overnight in Bedouin Camp and Dinner: $286
- Petra & Wadi Rum Private Tour with Dinner one day: $425
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Fortuna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Fortuna.
- Sloth Tour in La Fortuna and Tortillas Cooking Class: $35
- 2 Hours Private Cooking Class in La Fortuna: $45
- Typical Costa Rican Cooking Classes in La Fortuna: $48
- Costa Rican cuisine Cooking Class at Rancho Don Lelo: $54
- Costa Rica The Chela Cooking Experience : $55
- Costa Rican Cooking Class: $57
- Cooking Class "Cook Like a Local" La Fortuna: $63
- Private typical cooking class with a Costa Rican family: $70
- Rainforest Night Walk and Authentic Costa Rican Dinner from La Fortuna: $71
- Cooking and Salsa Dance Lesson Combo : $74
- Ceviche & Empanadas Cooking Class: $77
- Cooking with a Costa Rican family: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54La Fortuna $44
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sightseeing Bike Rental in Aqaba: $7.00
- Aqaba : All Water Sports Adventure in the Red Sea: $22
- Wadi Rum Jeep Tours - Full Day Jeep Tour: $24
- Private Snorkeling Experience in Aqaba Red Sea: $27
- 4 Hour Jeep Tour Wadi Rum Nature Desert morning or sunset: $30
- Wadi Rum Jeep Tour: $30
- Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
- Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
- Private Walking Tour in Aqaba City with Free Meal: $30
- Saraya Aqaba Waterpark entrance tickets: $33
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour (Morning or Sunset) Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- Wadi Rum 2-Hour Sunset Tour Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
Tours and Activities in La Fortuna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Fortuna are as follows:
- La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket: $20
- Petting Zoo Interactive Farm Experience: $20
- Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket: $20
- Arenal Park Self-Guided Experience: $24
- Café Experience in Bijagua : $25
- Guaranteed Sloth Watching Tour: $30
- Guaranteed Red eyed Tree Frog & Amphibians Tour: $30
- Sloth and Monkey Wild Life Tour : $30
- Tarzan Swing Adventure: $32
- Rainforest Chocolate Tour: $32
- Night tour through the Tropical Forest at Tifakara : $34
- Sloth Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07La Fortuna $11
Sample the Local Flavors in La Fortuna
Also in La Fortuna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting Experience : $135
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and La Fortuna, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is La Fortuna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba 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 Aqaba Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aqaba or La Fortuna?
Aqaba has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba 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 Aqaba or La Fortuna?
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 Aqaba or La Fortuna in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Aqaba and La Fortuna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
La Fortuna receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Aqaba usually receives less rain than La Fortuna. Aqaba gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Aqaba, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than La Fortuna during summer. Aqaba gets 384 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's very hot in Aqaba this time of the year. Aqaba is a little warmer than La Fortuna in the summer. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAqaba 33°C (91°F)La Fortuna 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or La Fortuna in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Aqaba as well as La Fortuna. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.
Also, December to April in La Fortuna is the dry season. Also, the hurricane season in La Fortuna is May to November. It's quite rainy in La Fortuna. Aqaba usually gets less rain in October than La Fortuna. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aqaba this time of the year. In the autumn, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than La Fortuna. Aqaba gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Aqaba is around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Aqaba in October average around 26°C (79°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAqaba 26°C (79°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or La Fortuna in the Winter?
Both La Fortuna and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Aqaba usually receives less rain than La Fortuna. Aqaba gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in La Fortuna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aqaba. Aqaba usually receives less sunshine than La Fortuna during winter. Aqaba gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Aqaba is generally much colder than La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 14°C (57°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAqaba 14°C (57°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or La Fortuna in the Spring?
Both La Fortuna and Aqaba during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Aqaba because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.
December to April is the dry season in La Fortuna. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in La Fortuna. Aqaba usually gets less rain in April than La Fortuna. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In La Fortuna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Aqaba. In the spring, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than La Fortuna. Aqaba gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun.
Aqaba is cooler than La Fortuna in the spring. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAqaba 24°C (75°F)La Fortuna 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Aqaba
| Aqaba | La Fortuna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.