A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beijing vs. La Fortuna for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Beijing or La Fortuna?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and La Fortuna can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Beijing

Beijing is a massive, jam-packed, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Beijing is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Beijing 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.

Beijing and La Fortuna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or La Fortuna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Beijing. Although Beijing and La Fortuna are both popular with visitors, Beijing has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Beijing is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while La Fortuna is known for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty. Beijing is popular for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also home to The Forbidden City. La Fortuna is popular for its hot springs, luxury resorts, and volcanic views.

How is Beijing different from La Fortuna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Beijing or La Fortuna?

Beijing is renowned for its sights and museums. However, La Fortuna is a mediocre town for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Beijing are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.

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 Beijing or La Fortuna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Beijing is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, La Fortuna is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Beijing, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a number of iconic dishes that have put it on the culinary map. The most notable dish is Peking Duck, which is a delectable crispy roast duck that is usually served with cucumber, scallions, sweet bean sauce and pancakes or other steamed buns. Hot pots are another must-try experience in the city, and, of course, you have to experience the dumplings. A huge part of a visit to Beijing is experiencing its long running culinary history.

La Fortuna is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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 Beijing or La Fortuna Better for Nightlife?

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

Beijing has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Live performances are popular in the city, and range from concerts to magic shows and acrobatics. There is also an active bar scene around town. Some of the most popular nightlife areas include Sanlitun and Houhai.

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 Beijing or La Fortuna Better for Resorts?

La Fortuna is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Beijing is not a resort destination.

La Fortuna is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Beijing is not a resort destination.

Is Beijing or La Fortuna Better for Hiking?

La Fortuna is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Beijing 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.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or La Fortuna?

Beijing is notable for its shopping opportunities. However, La Fortuna is a mediocre town for its shopping areas.

Beijing is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are many unique handicrafts that you can purchase around town. Popular souvenirs include silk, pearls, and snuff bottles with pictures inside. The city has many shopping streets as well as markets and shopping malls that are worth visiting.

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 Beijing or La Fortuna More Beautiful?

La Fortuna is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and 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.

Beijing is a gorgeous place to visit. The parks, gardens, palaces, and temples all offer a glimpse into the past, while also letting you enjoy the city and culture that exists today.

Is Beijing or La Fortuna Better for Families?

La Fortuna is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

La Fortuna is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Beijing offers lots of family activities. The city offers a unique cultural immersion that kids and adults can enjoy. Wander through the Forbidden City or watch your kids be mesmerized by a Chinese acrobatics show. It's also fun to get lost in the Hutongs or test their culinary palates by visiting a snack street.

Is Beijing or La Fortuna Better for Couples?

La Fortuna is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

La Fortuna is a great town for couples, as it 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.

Beijing is a nice destination for couples. The culture, history, and food all make this a stunning place to visit. While romance doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think of Beijing, there are shows and fine dining restaurants that couples will enjoy. There are also many luxury hotels with spas and other amenities.

Is Beijing or La Fortuna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing and La Fortuna are very good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Beijing is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has many hostels and budget-friendly options. There isn't the backpacker community vibe that you may get in other Asian cities, but if you organize an excursion through your hostel, you're sure to make a few friends along the way.

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

Is Beijing or La Fortuna Better for Students?

Beijing is notable for students. However, La Fortuna is not popular with students.

Many students visit Beijing. Students will enjoy the culture, food, and academic opportunities that the universities offer. There is also a decent nightlife scene and affordable places where students can live.

La Fortuna is not popular with students.

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

Beijing is notable for its public transit. Also, La Fortuna is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Beijing can get you around easily. The system can be crowded and confusing at first, but it's one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get around town. There's a subway system as well as buses, trolleybuses, and suburban rail.

La Fortuna has some public transit options. There are public buses throughout the area as well as private transportation services, taxis, and car sharing.

Is Beijing or La Fortuna a more walkable city?

La Fortuna is a town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

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

Beijing is generally not a very walkable city. While parts of the city are fun to explore on foot, the city itself is very large with long blocks that aren't pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in La Fortuna or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or La Fortuna?

It's fun to spend time in either Beijing or La Fortuna. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Beijing due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Fortuna.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Beijing than La Fortuna 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 Beijing.

One day in Beijing or La Fortuna?

When visiting Beijing, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In La Fortuna, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Beijing or La Fortuna?

When visiting Beijing, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

In La Fortuna, you'll find food and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that La Fortuna has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or La Fortuna?

Beijing, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

La Fortuna is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Beijing or La Fortuna?

Beijing is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Fortuna. Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting La Fortuna. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, 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 Beijing and La Fortuna, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing is in Asia 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 Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Beijing.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or La Fortuna?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 2490 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Beijing 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 Beijing or La Fortuna?

Beijing 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 Beijing or La Fortuna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and La Fortuna. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Beijing is generally around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than La Fortuna during summer. Beijing 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. Beijing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Beijing usually receives around the same amount of rain as La Fortuna. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beijing or La Fortuna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Beijing as well as La Fortuna. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.

Beijing is much colder than La Fortuna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the autumn, Beijing often gets more sunshine than La Fortuna. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in La Fortuna. Beijing usually gets less rain in October than La Fortuna. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 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 Beijing or La Fortuna in the Winter?

Both La Fortuna and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Beijing in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Beijing can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than La Fortuna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°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 Beijing. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than La Fortuna during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than La Fortuna. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beijing or La Fortuna in the Spring?

Both La Fortuna and Beijing during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.

In April, Beijing is generally much colder than La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°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 Beijing. In the spring, Beijing often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Fortuna. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as La Fortuna. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 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 Beijing