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

Should you visit Florianopolis or La Fortuna?

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

Should I visit Florianopolis 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.

Florianopolis

Florianopolis is a scenic, vibrant, and relaxing city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Florianopolis travel costs.

La Fortuna

La Fortuna is a scenic, popular, and stunning town. The beauty of La Fortuna is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and nightlife. See La Fortuna travel costs.

Florianopolis and La Fortuna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Florianopolis or La Fortuna?

Visitors will usually find more to do in La Fortuna than Florianopolis, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. La Fortuna is better known for its resorts and impressive beauty, while Florianopolis is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping. La Fortuna is more touristy than Florianopolis and is popular for its hot springs, luxury resorts, and volcanic views. Also, La Fortuna is famous for Arenal Volcano. Florianopolis is well known for its sandy beaches, world-class surfing, and beautiful nature.

How is Florianopolis different from La Fortuna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Florianopolis is a good destination for its sights and museums. However, La Fortuna is a mediocre town for its museums and history.

Florianopolis offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a number of science and cultural museums in the area that will introduce you to the region's local wildlife and history.

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

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

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Florianopolis. Perhaps the most popular local dish is feijoada, which is a stew that's slow cooked in a clay pot. It's a great dish for sharing and it originated in the region's African slave population. Another common food is pão de queijo, which is a dough that is made from cassava root flour. Also make sure you try the seafood, which is available in many restaurants around town.

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 Florianopolis or La Fortuna Better for Nightlife?

Florianopolis 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.

Florianopolis has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene can vary between peak tourism times and the low season. There are plenty of bars around town that cater to the locals, and you can expect these to be open year round. Alternatively, there are also places that specifically open during the summer months and will close during the off season.

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 Florianopolis or La Fortuna Better for Resorts?

La Fortuna is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. Also, Florianopolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, La Fortuna is a great 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.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Florianopolis. You'll find a wide range of resorts that include everything from 5 star to more budget-friendly. There are also all-inclusive resorts and smaller, more personal places.

Is Florianopolis or La Fortuna Better for Beaches?

Florianopolis is renowned for the beach. However, La Fortuna is not a beach destination.

Florianopolis offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. There are miles of beautiful beaches that are popular for surfing. Joaquina Beach is one of the most popular beaches, particularly with surfers, but Mole Beach is quickly catching up in popularity. Campeche Beach is one of the widest and longest stretches of beach on the island.

La Fortuna is not a beach destination.

Is Florianopolis or La Fortuna Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Florianopolis and La Fortuna both have superb trails.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Florianopolis. The island is filled with beautiful jungles, striking beaches, and many dramatic settings that make it a great place to hike. The hikes also vary in length and skill level, so there really is something for everyone.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Florianopolis or La Fortuna?

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

Florianopolis offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find shopping malls and boutique retail shops that make for a great shopping experience.

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 Florianopolis or La Fortuna More Beautiful?

La Fortuna is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Florianopolis is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of La Fortuna is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. 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.

Florianopolis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Florianopolis or La Fortuna Better for Families?

La Fortuna is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Florianopolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, La Fortuna is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Florianopolis. There are many outdoor activities, sports, beaches, and parks in the city. If your kids like to run around and have fun, you'll find some diverse experiences here.

Is Florianopolis or La Fortuna Better for Couples?

La Fortuna is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Florianopolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

La Fortuna makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Florianopolis is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy the beautiful beaches and walking paths in the area. There's impressive natural beauty and a touch of undiscovered charm.

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

La Fortuna is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Florianopolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit La Fortuna. As one of the top places to visit in Costa Rica, this town has a number of hostels that cater to the backpacker crowds.

Florianopolis is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While it's not the most popular destination in Brazil, it does have a huge appeal with surfers.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Florianopolis and La Fortuna.

Florianopolis has some public transit options. There are buses around town, including buses that travel between the downtown and the beaches.

You'll find some public transit in La Fortuna, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses throughout the area as well as private transportation services, taxis, and car sharing.

Is Florianopolis or La Fortuna a more walkable city?

La Fortuna is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Florianopolis is not a walkable destination.

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

Florianopolis is not a walkable destination. Most people get around the city with a vehicle.

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

Should I spend more time in La Fortuna or Florianopolis?

How long in Florianopolis or La Fortuna?

It's fun to spend time in either Florianopolis or La Fortuna. In our opinion, La Fortuna has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in La Fortuna than Florianopolis. In general, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Florianopolis, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Fortuna.

Families should spend more time in La Fortuna than Florianopolis. 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 Florianopolis. 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.

One day in Florianopolis or La Fortuna?

With museums and nightlife around the vibrant city of Florianopolis, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the stunning destination of La Fortuna. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Florianopolis or La Fortuna?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Florianopolis, 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 beaches. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Fortuna. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Florianopolis or La Fortuna?

Florianopolis, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the stunning destination of La Fortuna. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Florianopolis or La Fortuna?

Florianopolis is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. 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.

You'll find food and nightlife around the beautiful town of La Fortuna. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, 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 Florianopolis and La Fortuna, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. And not only is Florianopolis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Florianopolis is in South 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 Florianopolis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis.

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

Which is Bigger, Florianopolis or La Fortuna?

Florianopolis has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis or La Fortuna?

Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis or La Fortuna in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as La Fortuna. Most visitors come to Florianopolis for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.

Florianopolis is cooler than La Fortuna in the summer. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 25°C (76°F) in January, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.

In the summer, Florianopolis often gets more sunshine than La Fortunain July. Florianopolis gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 164 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in La Fortuna. Florianopolis receives a lot of rain in the summer. Florianopolis usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as La Fortunain July. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Florianopolis or La Fortuna in the Autumn?

Both La Fortuna and Florianopolis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Florianopolis because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Florianopolis is cooler than La Fortuna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Florianopolis in April average around 22°C (71°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.

Florianopolis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as La Fortuna during autumn. Florianopolis gets 179 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. In April, Florianopolis usually receives less rain than La Fortunain October. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in La Fortuna is December to April. May to November in La Fortuna is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Florianopolis or La Fortuna in the Winter?

Both La Fortuna and Florianopolis during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Florianopolis this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.

In July, Florianopolis is generally much colder than La Fortunain January. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 17°C (62°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In La Fortuna, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than La Fortunain January. Florianopolis gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun.

Florianopolis usually gets more rain in July than La Fortunain January. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Florianopolis or La Fortuna in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and La Fortuna. Many travelers come to Florianopolis for the beaches. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Florianopolis is cooler than La Fortuna in the spring. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Fortuna this time of the year. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than La Fortuna during spring. Florianopolis gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

Florianopolis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than La Fortunain April. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. December to April in La Fortuna is the dry season. The hurricane season in La Fortuna is May to November.

Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Florianopolis