A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Fortuna vs. Key Largo for Resorts, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit La Fortuna or Key Largo?

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 Key Largo. 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.

La Fortuna

La Fortuna is a popular, stunning, and scenic town. With stunning beauty, La Fortuna attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, nightlife, and food. See La Fortuna travel costs.

Key Largo

Key Largo is a beautiful, relaxed, and peaceful island. It's a quaint destination. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches. See Key Largo travel costs.

La Fortuna and Key Largo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Fortuna or Key Largo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in La Fortuna. Although La Fortuna and Key Largo are both popular with visitors, La Fortuna has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. La Fortuna is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Key Largo is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and quaint atmosphere. La Fortuna is more touristy than Key Largo and is popular for its hot springs, luxury resorts, and volcanic views. It is also home to Arenal Volcano. Key Largo is popular for its snorkeling and scuba diving including that around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the artificial reef around the USS Spiegel Grove.

How is La Fortuna different from Key Largo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

La Fortuna is adequate for its historical sights. However, Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in La Fortuna or Key Largo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

La Fortuna is a town with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Key Largo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known for its Key Lime pie and seafood. You'll find a great selection of restaurants that serve seafood dishes and options for the land-loving crew. There are even a few international restaurants to choose from.

Is La Fortuna or Key Largo Better for Nightlife?

La Fortuna is a town with good options for its evening party scene. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities La Fortuna has a few options to choose from. 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.

Most people don't head to Key Largo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. This area is not known for its nightlife, so you'll need to head further south if partying is your style.

Is La Fortuna or Key Largo Better for Resorts?

La Fortuna is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. Also, Key Largo is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its resorts.

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.

There are plenty of resorts in Key Largo to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.

Is La Fortuna or Key Largo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key Largo 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 Key Largo. Near this island you'll find some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Florida Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are private tours that head out to the reef for either snorkeling or diving. There are also shipwrecks and other fascinating spots to explore.

La Fortuna is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Fortuna or Key Largo Better for Beaches?

Key Largo is a good destination for the beach. However, La Fortuna is not a beach destination.

Key Largo offers a nice beach destination. Many of the beaches around Key Largo are man-made, but they do offer nice sand and beautiful blue water. The water is turquoise, although not as striking as further south.

La Fortuna is not a beach destination.

Is La Fortuna or Key Largo Better for Hiking?

La Fortuna is great for hiking. However, Key Largo is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to La Fortuna for the hiking trails. 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.

Key Largo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Fortuna or Key Largo?

La Fortuna is adequate for its shopping areas. However, Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is La Fortuna or Key Largo More Beautiful?

La Fortuna is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Key Largo 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.

Key Largo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is La Fortuna or Key Largo Better for Families?

Key Largo is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, La Fortuna is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Key Largo is very family-friendly. This area has some of the best family-friendly snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There's also several places where your kids can interact with dolphins or experience wildlife. If you want to get out on the water, there's kayaking, sunset cruises, and glass bottom boats, all of which are great for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in La Fortuna. 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 La Fortuna or Key Largo Better for Couples?

La Fortuna is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Key Largo is not as popular, but is still a nice island 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.

Key Largo is a nice destination for couples. Most couples head further down the Florida Keys, but for snorkeling and scuba diving, Key Largo is the better option. You'll also find kayaking and sunset cruises that leave from the area.

Is La Fortuna or Key Largo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

La Fortuna is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Key Largo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This area is a bit more affordable than the more southern keys so it appeals to budget travelers and backpackers.

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

La Fortuna is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Key Largo. There's no real public transit around the island and you must have a car to get around.

Is La Fortuna or Key Largo a more walkable city?

La Fortuna is a town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Key Largo is not a good destination 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.

Key Largo is not a walkable town. It is a sprawling area that spreads out along a main highway that is not pedestrian friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Key Largo or La Fortuna?

How long in La Fortuna or Key Largo?

Both La Fortuna and Key Largo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Key Largo than in La Fortuna. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Fortuna, and 5-7 days is enough time in Key Largo.

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

Couples should spend more time in La Fortuna than Key Largo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in La Fortuna 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 Key Largo 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 La Fortuna or Key Largo?

You'll find nightlife and food around the town of La Fortuna. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With scuba diving and snorkeling around the peaceful island of Key Largo, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in La Fortuna or Key Largo?

You'll find food and nightlife around the scenic destination of La Fortuna. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of Key Largo, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in La Fortuna or Key Largo?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the popular town of La Fortuna. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Key Largo, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this island. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in La Fortuna or Key Largo?

La Fortuna is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Fortuna and Key Largo, we can see that Key Largo is more expensive. And not only is La Fortuna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Fortuna is in Central America and Key Largo is in North 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 Fortuna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Fortuna 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 Key Largo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key Largo than you might in La Fortuna.

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 Key Largo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Fortuna or Key Largo?

Key Largo has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of La Fortuna and Key Largo, 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 Key Largo?

Key Largo 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 La Fortuna or Key Largo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to La Fortuna as well as Key Largo. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Key Largo because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, La Fortuna is around the same temperature as Key Largo. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Fortuna in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Key Largo averages at about 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. In the summer, La Fortuna often gets less sunshine than Key Largo. La Fortuna gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key Largo receives 316 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Key Largo. La Fortuna receives a lot of rain in the summer. La Fortuna usually gets more rain in July than Key Largo. La Fortuna gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Fortuna or Key Largo in the Autumn?

Both Key Largo and La Fortuna are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.

In October, La Fortuna is generally around the same temperature as Key Largo. Daily temperatures in La Fortuna average around 27°C (81°F), and Key Largo fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Key Largo. La Fortuna usually receives less sunshine than Key Largo during autumn. La Fortuna gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Key Largo receives 275 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. It's quite rainy in La Fortuna. In October, La Fortuna usually receives more rain than Key Largo. La Fortuna gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in La Fortuna is December to April. May to November is the hurricane season in La Fortuna.

Should I visit La Fortuna or Key Largo in the Winter?

Both Key Largo and La Fortuna during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Key Largo for the cuisine.

La Fortuna is a little warmer than Key Largo in the winter. The daily temperature in La Fortuna averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Key Largo fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

In Key Largo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in La Fortuna. In the winter, La Fortuna often gets more sunshine than Key Largo. La Fortuna gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key Largo receives 243 hours of full sun.

La Fortuna usually gets less rain in January than Key Largo. La Fortuna gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Fortuna or Key Largo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both La Fortuna and Key Largo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round. Also, many visitors come to Key Largo in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, La Fortuna is a little warmer than Key Largo. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Fortuna in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Key Largo averages at about 74°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key Largo this time of the year. In La Fortuna, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Fortuna usually receives less sunshine than Key Largo during spring. La Fortuna gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Key Largo receives 300 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, La Fortuna usually receives less rain than Key Largo. La Fortuna gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring. December to April in La Fortuna is the dry season. May to November in La Fortuna is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Key Largo and La Fortuna