A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Acapulco de Juarez vs. La Fortuna for Nightlife, Resorts, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna?

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

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna? 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.

Acapulco de Juarez

Acapulco de Juarez is a well-known, vibrant, and built-up city. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Acapulco de Juarez travel costs.

La Fortuna

La Fortuna is a popular, stunning, and scenic town. With stunning beauty, La Fortuna attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, nightlife, and food. See La Fortuna travel costs.

Acapulco de Juarez and La Fortuna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in La Fortuna. Although Acapulco de Juarez and La Fortuna are both popular with visitors, La Fortuna has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. La Fortuna is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty, while Acapulco de Juarez is known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. La Fortuna is more touristy than Acapulco de Juarez and is known for its hot springs, luxury resorts, and volcanic views. It is also home to Arenal Volcano. Acapulco de Juarez is popular for its large hotels, golf courses, and lively bars and clubs.

How is Acapulco de Juarez different from La Fortuna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between La Fortuna and Acapulco de Juarez. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna.

Acapulco de Juarez offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of history and cultural museums in the city that can be a nice way to spend a rainy day.

While most people don't head to La Fortuna specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people spend their time outdoors exploring the area, but there are also some museums that highlight local art and culture.

Is the Food Better in Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Acapulco de Juarez and La Fortuna can be an enjoyable experience.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Acapulco de Juarez area. The local cuisine is influenced by the area's indigenous cultures combined with Hispanic influences. Seafood is common as well.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around La Fortuna. It's a touristy mecca, and there are a number of decent restaurants around town. The area has some of the freshest local ingredients and the food reflects that. You'll find restaurants both in the center of town and along the road between the town and the hot springs.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna Better for Nightlife?

Acapulco de Juarez is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, La Fortuna is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

Acapulco de Juarez is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The nightlife scene is part of what originally put this city on the map. Spring break is a prime time for partying and you'll find many bars along Costera Street, with the liveliest around Condesa Beach.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in La Fortuna. The larger resorts usually have a couple of bars onsite. There are also local bars and pubs throughout the town. While things often quiet down by 9:00, you will probably be able to find a laid back place to enjoy a drink with friends.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna Better for Resorts?

Acapulco de Juarez and La Fortuna offer a relatively similar set of amazing luxury resort options.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Acapulco de Juarez is a great choice. You'll find no shortage of resorts in the city, most with large pools and beachfront views.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, La Fortuna is a perfect choice. There are many larger international resorts in the area. Many offer spectacular views, spas, and beautifully maintained pools that take advantage of the area's hot springs.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Acapulco de Juarez is notable for its diving and snorkeling. However, La Fortuna is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Acapulco de Juarez. There are plenty of dive shops that offer snorkeling and scuba diving trips to premier spots.

La Fortuna is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna Better for Beaches?

Acapulco de Juarez is notable for the beach. However, La Fortuna is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Acapulco de Juarez for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are well developed with restaurants, hotels and bars lining the long stretches of sand. You'll find all kinds of water sports and activities nearby and several of the most popular beaches include Condesa Beach, Caleta Beach, and Icacos Beach.

La Fortuna is not a beach destination.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna Better for Hiking?

La Fortuna is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Acapulco de Juarez is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around La Fortuna. The area is filled with stunning hikes that take you through different landscapes and ecosystems. You'll likely see some wildlife, visit spectacular waterfalls, and, of course, catch views of the impressive Arenal Volcano.

Acapulco de Juarez is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna?

Acapulco de Juarez is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, La Fortuna is a mediocre town for its shopping areas.

Acapulco de Juarez offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find tons of beachside shops where you can pick up any beach supplies you may need as well as souvenirs from your trip. The city also has retail outlets and shopping centers.

La Fortuna has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find a couple of good souvenir shops around town where you can pick up some locally made items.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna More Beautiful?

La Fortuna is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Acapulco de Juarez is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, La Fortuna attracts visitors from all around. The town is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, lush rainforests, and dramatic views of the volcano. There are countless hikes and a plenty of opportunities to soak up the natural setting.

Acapulco de Juarez is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna.

Acapulco de Juarez is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It may have been made famous by spring breakers, but families with kids will find plenty to do as well. There are water parks, playgrounds, museums and, of course, the beach.

La Fortuna is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will love exploring the outdoors and seeing some of Costa Rica's best environments. There are plenty of hiking trails, but if you're looking for short and simple, head to Ecocentro Danaus, which has a half mile flat walking loop and a butterfly garden. Another good option is Bogarin Trail, where you might see a sloth. And of course you have to check out Arenal Volcano National Park.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Acapulco de Juarez and La Fortuna make for a amazing place to visit.

Acapulco de Juarez makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Whether you're looking for an active nightlife scene, or romantic sunset walks, then this city has it all. The beach is active and beautiful, there are also botanical gardens and wonderful restaurants to experience.

For those traveling as a couple, La Fortuna has plenty to offer. There are amazing resorts and spas in the area that make for a truly luxurious and romantic holiday. Many couples visit for their honeymoon, and whether you enjoy exploring nature or pampering yourself in a five star setting, there really is something for everyone.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

La Fortuna is a great destination for backpackers. However, Acapulco de Juarez is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

La Fortuna is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. As one of the top places to visit in Costa Rica, this town has a number of hostels that cater to the backpacker crowds.

Acapulco de Juarez is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are more hotels and resorts than hostels, so most backpackers head elsewhere. There is a young crowd during the spring break season.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Acapulco de Juarez and La Fortuna.

You'll find some public transit in Acapulco de Juarez, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's an elaborate and fun bus system that travels around the city.

While La Fortuna offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are public buses throughout the area as well as private transportation services, taxis, and car sharing.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna a more walkable city?

Acapulco de Juarez and La Fortuna both are good when exploring on foot.

Acapulco de Juarez is a somewhat walkable city. The downtown and beachfront areas are the most walkable and many sights are within a short distance of each other.

La Fortuna is somewhat walkable. While the town itself is very walkable, many of the area's attractions can only be reached by car.

For even more information, also check out Is Acapulco de Juarez Worth Visiting? and Is La Fortuna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Fortuna or Acapulco de Juarez?

How long in Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna?

It's fun to spend time in either Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Acapulco de Juarez, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Fortuna.

Families should spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than La Fortuna. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Acapulco de Juarez, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than La Fortuna. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Acapulco de Juarez that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Fortuna than Acapulco de Juarez if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in La Fortuna.

One day in Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna?

With shopping and nightlife around the built-up city of Acapulco de Juarez, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the stunning destination of La Fortuna. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Acapulco de Juarez, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

La Fortuna is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the stunning town of La Fortuna. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that La Fortuna has to offer.

Five days in Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna?

Acapulco de Juarez, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting La Fortuna. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna?

Acapulco de Juarez is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

La Fortuna is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acapulco de Juarez and La Fortuna, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Acapulco de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Acapulco de Juarez 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 Acapulco de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Acapulco de Juarez 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 Acapulco de Juarez.

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

Which is Bigger, Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna?

Acapulco de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 220 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Acapulco de Juarez 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 Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna?

Acapulco de Juarez 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 Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Acapulco de Juarez and La Fortuna. Most visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Acapulco de Juarez is generally around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 29°C (83°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Acapulco de Juarez, it's very sunny this time of the year. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more sunshine than La Fortuna during summer. Acapulco de Juarez gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.

La Fortuna receives a lot of rain in the summer. Acapulco de Juarez gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more rain than La Fortuna. Acapulco de Juarez gets 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Acapulco de Juarez as well as La Fortuna. The autumn months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.

Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as La Fortuna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Acapulco de Juarez this time of the year. In the autumn, Acapulco de Juarez often gets more sunshine than La Fortuna. Acapulco de Juarez gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in La Fortuna. Acapulco de Juarez receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in October than La Fortuna. Acapulco de Juarez gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in La Fortuna is the dry season. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in La Fortuna.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna in the Winter?

Both La Fortuna and Acapulco de Juarez are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Acapulco de Juarez this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in January average around 26°C (79°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in La Fortuna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as La Fortuna during winter. Acapulco de Juarez gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more rain than La Fortuna. Acapulco de Juarez gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or La Fortuna in the Spring?

Both La Fortuna and Acapulco de Juarez during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Acapulco de Juarez for the beaches. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.

In April, Acapulco de Juarez is generally around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 27°C (81°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

In La Fortuna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Acapulco de Juarez. In the spring, Acapulco de Juarez often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Fortuna. Acapulco de Juarez gets 274 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun.

Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in April than La Fortuna. Acapulco de Juarez gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in La Fortuna. Also, May to November in La Fortuna is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Acapulco de Juarez