Which place is cheaper, Bogota or La Fortuna?
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 La Fortuna or Bogota?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for La Fortuna and Bogota. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: La Fortuna or Bogota?
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.
Bogota
Sprawling across a high altitude in the Columbian Andes region, Bogota is the capital city of Columbia. It is a mix of the old and new with century-old plazas and churches shadowed by towering skyscrapers, museums representing the history, art, and culture of the region, as well as a mix of distinct neighborhoods from quaint and historic to trendy and contemporary.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia.
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La Fortuna Prices
Costa Rica PricesBogota Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Fortuna $123Bogota $61
The average daily cost (per person) in La Fortuna is $123, while the average daily cost in Bogota is $61. 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 La Fortuna and Bogota in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Fortuna $51Bogota $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Fortuna $102Bogota $52
Compare Hotels in La Fortuna and Bogota
Looking for a hotel in La Fortuna or Bogota? 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: La Fortuna Hotel Prices and Bogota Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Fortuna $21Bogota $8.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:
- Transfer from Arenal to SJO Airport or Hotels for up to 5 passengers ( One way) : $240
- Transfer from Arenal or Fortuna to Papagayo: $170
- Transfer TO or FROM San Jose city to Arenal - Fortuna Area. Private: $230
- Transfer TO or FROM La Fortuna Area to SJO Airport. Private, NOT SHARED: $230
- Transfer International ATO to Fortuna or return one way: $200
- Transfer From Liberia Airport To Arenal La Fortuna San Carlos: $49
- San Jose Airport: Private transfer from/to La Fortuna: $230
- Puerto Viejo de Limon: Transfer to La Fortuna de Arenal: $400
- Private VIP Transfer La Fortuna to Tamarindo, Flamingo & Conchal: $299
- Private Transfer: La Fortuna Costa Rica: $235
- Private Transfer to/from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna Area (Arenal Volcano): $250
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport to La Fortuna: $225
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bogota
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bogota are as follows:
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Taxi from Airport$7.39
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Taxi Ride$0.38
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2 Bus Passes$0.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bogota
Also for Bogota, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Bogota Airport (BOG): $11
- Private Transfer to Bogota Airport (BOG): $11
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: El Dorado Airport: $13
- Transfer to and from El Dorado airport in Bogota: $14
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Bogota: $15
- Private Hotel to Airport Transfer service in Bogota: $17
- Private Bogota Airport - Hotel Transfer: Safe, Fast, and Reliable: $21
- Private Transfer from Bogota Hotels to El Dorado Airport: $22
- Downtown Hotels to Bogota Airport BOG Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Bogota Airport BOG to Downtown Hotels Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Salt Cathedral Zipaquira: Private Transfer Service from Bogota: $24
- Private Transfer from Aeropurto to Bogota Hotels: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into La Fortuna or Bogota?
Prices for flights to both Bogota and La Fortuna 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 dayLa Fortuna $47Bogota $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Fortuna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Fortuna.
- Farm to Table Cooking Class : $43
- Skip the Line: Mineral Hot Springs Full Day Ticket w/ Optional Lunch or Dinner: $47
- 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
- Horseback Riding and Cooking Class with Lunch : $72
- Cooking and Salsa Dance Lesson Combo : $74
- Private cooking class in organic farm at La Fortuna: $75
Typical Food Prices in Bogota
For Bogota, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$1.54
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Hot Dog$0.90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bogota
For Bogota, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Viejo Bogota Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
- PALOQUEMAO MARKET FOOD TOUR. EXOTIC FRUIT. LOCAL SNACKS. /Min 2 pax: $55
- Food Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $60
- Flavors of Colombia: Chapinero Street Food Tour: $73
- Food Tour in Historic Downtown with a Food Scholar and Tastings: $75
- Colombian Cooking Class in Bogota with a Local Chef: $102
- Tropical Abundance: Interactive Cooking Class in Bogota: $176
- Bogotá Food Tour. Exotic Fruits and local Cuisine.: $180
- Gastronomic Tour and Cooking Workshop: $213
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Fortuna $44Bogota $13
Tours and Activities in La Fortuna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Fortuna are as follows:
- La Fortuna's 3 Essentials Private Tour: $280
- Sky Adventures Arenal : Zipline - Sky Tram & Sky Walk (guided): $260
- 12-Cable Zipline Canopy Tour Over Waterfalls: $111
- 3-In-1 Río Celeste: Tubing, Natural Pool and Jungle Night Tour.: $80
- 7 Nights Costa Rica Fully Guided Adventure: $1,850
- 7-Cable Zipline Canopy Tour Over La Fortuna Waterfall: $91
- ARENAL DISCOVERY ADVENTURE (1): Volcano Hike, Waterfall & Lunch: $179
- ARENAL DISCOVERY ADVENTURE (3):Hanging Bridges, Waterfall & Lunch: $191
- ATV Tour Discovery Adventure Double : $170
- ATV Tour Experience in Parque Ecologico Volcan Arenal : $130
- ATV adventure Tour in La Fortuna: $95
- Adventure Pass: $167
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bogota
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Bogota's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Beer$1.28
Tours and Activities in Bogota
For Bogota, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Theatron Party-Tour, 20 Clubs, Map, cocktail, bottle, After-party: $5.00
- Botanical Garden José Celestino Mutis Photo Tour in Bogota: $5.80
- Bogotá: La Macarena to Parque Nacional Walking Audio Tour: $5.99
- Traditional Bogotá: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Colonial Bogotá: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of La Candelaria: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - El Dorado Expedition, Part II: $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - El Dorado Expedition, Part I : $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Paranormal Candelaria: $10
- Armed Conflict and Violence Tour in Bogotá, Colombia: $12
- Shared Tour Colombian Conflict: war, drug trafficking and peace: $13
- Bogota Shared Gastronomy Tour in the Historic Center: $13
- Shared Walking Tour of Bogotá's Historic Center Candelaria: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Fortuna $11Bogota $13
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Bogota
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bogota:
- Thursday Bar Crawl in Bogotá, Colombia: $25
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Bogotá, Colombia: $25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Fortuna and Bogota, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Bogota much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Fortuna is in Central America and Bogota 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 Bogota would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bogota 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 La Fortuna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Fortuna than you might in Bogota.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Fortuna Expensive? and Is Bogota Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Fortuna or Bogota?
Bogota has a larger population, and is about 2360 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of La Fortuna and Bogota, 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 La Fortuna or Bogota?
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 La Fortuna or Bogota in the Summer?
Both Bogota and La Fortuna during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bogota year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. La Fortuna usually gets more rain in July than Bogota. La Fortuna gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, La Fortuna is generally much warmer than Bogota. Daily temperatures in La Fortuna average around 28°C (82°F), and Bogota fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLa Fortuna 28°C (82°F)Bogota 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Bogota in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both La Fortuna and Bogota. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round. Bogota attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in La Fortuna is the dry season. The hurricane season in La Fortuna is May to November. Bogota receives a lot of rain in the autumn. La Fortuna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, La Fortuna usually receives more rain than Bogota. La Fortuna gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
La Fortuna is much warmer than Bogota in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Fortuna averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Bogota fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLa Fortuna 27°C (81°F)Bogota 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Bogota in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to La Fortuna as well as Bogota. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bogota throughout the year.
La Fortuna usually gets less rain in January than Bogota. La Fortuna gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, La Fortuna is much warmer than Bogota. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Fortuna in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Bogota averages at about 14°C (57°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLa Fortuna 27°C (81°F)Bogota 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit La Fortuna or Bogota in the Spring?
Both Bogota and La Fortuna are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Bogota because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in La Fortuna is December to April. May to November is the hurricane season in La Fortuna. In April, La Fortuna usually receives less rain than Bogota. La Fortuna gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, La Fortuna is generally much warmer than Bogota. Daily temperatures in La Fortuna average around 29°C (85°F), and Bogota fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLa Fortuna 29°C (85°F)Bogota 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Bogota and La Fortuna
| La Fortuna | Bogota | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 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.