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

Should you visit Phuket or La Ceiba?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or La Ceiba, 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: Phuket or La Ceiba?

Phuket

Phuket Island is the holiday gem of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.


Which place is cheaper, La Ceiba or Phuket?

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 Phuket is $139, 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 Phuket and La Ceiba in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Phuket $64
    La Ceiba $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Phuket $128
    La Ceiba $44
Compare Hotels in Phuket and La Ceiba

Looking for a hotel in Phuket 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 Phuket


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: Phuket Hotel Prices and La Ceiba Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Phuket $12
    La Ceiba $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:


  • Longtail Taxi (for Two)
    $9.42
  • Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town
    $7.85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:

  • (Privet)Phuket Transfer: $11
  • Phuket Airport (HKT) Arrival Transfer to Phuket Hotels (Shared or Private): $11
  • Phuket Airport (HKT) Departure Transfer from Phuket Hotels (Shared or Private): $11
  • Private Phuket Airport Transfer to Hotel and Vice Versa: $13
  • PHUKET Arrival Transfer-Phuket Airport to Phuket Hotels (Shared): $15
  • Phuket Departure Transfer from Hotel to Phuket Airport (Shared): $15
  • Phuket Airport Transfer (SHA Plus) : $15
  • Phuket Private Transfer from/to Phuket Airport HKT (one way): $16
  • Phuket Airport Departure Transfer – Domestic & International : $19
  • Phuket Hotel to Airport Shared Departure Transfer: $19
  • Phuket Airport Arrival Transfer – Domestic & International : $19
  • Departure Transfer : Phuket Hotel to Phuket Airport (Private): $19

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 Phuket or La Ceiba?

Prices for flights to both La Ceiba and Phuket 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
    Phuket $43
    La Ceiba $30
Typical Food Prices in Phuket

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:


  • Casual Dinner (for Two)
    $9.08
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $5.34
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $13
  • Thai Noodles
    $2.83
  • Bananas
    $0.79
  • Pizza (for Two)
    $9.42

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.

  • Phuket Coral Island and Sunset Dinner by Luxury Catamaran: $43
  • Phuket Express Thai Cooking Course with Authentic Recipes : $44
  • Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
  • Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $52
  • Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $53
  • Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $57
  • Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa: $57
  • Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour and Hotel Pickup: $58
  • Carnival Entertainment and Dinner Experience in Phuket: $59
  • Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
  • Flavours of the South Food Tour: $59
  • Baba Tastes Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Phuket $49
    La Ceiba $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket

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


  • One Day Boat Tour
    $28
  • Scuba Diving (Two Dives)
    $79
  • Thai Oil Massage
    $20
  • Surfboard Rental
    $9.42

Tours and Activities in Phuket

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

  • Self Guided Scavenger Hunts and Gamified Tours: $4.75
  • Oto Indoor Play Park Entrance Ticket in Phuket: $8.05
  • Phuket Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Aquarium Phuket Admission Ticket: $14
  • Phuket Rock Beach Swing Tickets: $17
  • Aquaria Phuket Tickets and 4D Trickeye Museum Combo Deal: $17
  • Aquaria Phuket and 4D Trickeye Museum Experience Ticket: $17
  • Phuket to Koh Phi Phi by Phi Phi Cruiser: $19
  • Phuket Highlights: Half Day City Tour with Landmark & Viewpoint: $21
  • Phang Nga Bay Skywalk at Samet Nangshe Admission Ticket: $21
  • Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $21
  • Patong Beach Parasailing and Jet Skiing Experience Shared: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Phuket $7.32
    La Ceiba $4.85
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket

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


  • Cocktails (for Two)
    $6.28
  • Beer
    $2.67

Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket

Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience: $41
  • Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $55
  • Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $89
  • Phuket Sightseeing Tour with Rum Distillery : $113
  • Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $138
  • Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple : $172


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and La Ceiba, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is La Ceiba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Phuket is in Asia 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 Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket 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 Phuket Expensive? and Is La Ceiba Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Phuket or La Ceiba?

La Ceiba has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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.