A Travel Price Comparison for Costa Rica Santa Elena vs. La Fortuna for Couples, Backpackers, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Santa Elena or La Fortuna?

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 Santa Elena and La Fortuna. 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.

Santa Elena

Santa Elena is a tranquil, outdoorsy, and scenic town. Santa Elena is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking and shopping. See Santa Elena travel costs.

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.

Santa Elena and La Fortuna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Elena or La Fortuna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in La Fortuna. Although Santa Elena 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 museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, and impressive beauty, while Santa Elena is known for its shopping. La Fortuna is more touristy than Santa Elena and is popular for its hot springs, luxury resorts, and volcanic views. It is also home to Arenal Volcano. Santa Elena is popular for its birdwatching and environmental conservation.

How is Santa Elena different from La Fortuna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

La Fortuna is adequate for its historical sights. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

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.

Santa Elena offers a few options for museum-goers. The area is filled with outdoor gardens, parks, and nature reserves, but there are few museums to visit.

Is the Food Better in Santa Elena or La Fortuna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

La Fortuna is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Santa Elena 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.

Santa Elena offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find some basic but good restaurants around town. Many offer pasta, pizza, and typical Costa Rican dishes.

Is Santa Elena or La Fortuna Better for Nightlife?

La Fortuna is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's a couple of bars but not much else for nightlife in town.

Is Santa Elena or La Fortuna Better for Resorts?

La Fortuna is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, Santa Elena is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to La Fortuna for its luxury resorts. 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.

Santa Elena is not a resort destination.

Is Santa Elena or La Fortuna Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Santa Elena and La Fortuna, and they are excellent.

Many visitors go to Santa Elena for the hiking trails. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has a range of trails including a walk along the Continental Divide. There's also the famous red hanging bridge.

La Fortuna is a popular spot for hiking. 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 Santa Elena or La Fortuna?

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

Santa Elena offers some nice shopping areas. There are some art galleries and artisan shops around town where you can pick up some interesting souvenirs.

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 Santa Elena or La Fortuna More Beautiful?

La Fortuna is great for its scenery and beauty. Also, Santa Elena is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Santa Elena is a gorgeous place to visit. The cloud forest and canopy walks give you access to breathtaking views and unique wildlife.

Is Santa Elena or La Fortuna Better for Families?

Both Santa Elena and La Fortuna are excellent family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Santa Elena. Monteverde has many canopy walks, zipline courses, and animal parks that the kids will love. The nature and wildlife make this a fun and educational destination for everyone.

La Fortuna is 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.

Is Santa Elena or La Fortuna Better for Couples?

La Fortuna is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Santa Elena is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

La Fortuna is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Santa Elena is a very popular place to visit for couples. The cloud forest is filled with romantic views and unique landscapes. Couples who enjoy the outdoors will fall in love with this magical setting.

Is Santa Elena or La Fortuna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Elena is renowned for backpackers. Also, La Fortuna is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Santa Elena. Backpackers will enjoy hiking and affordable activities. There are also many hostels with social activities that make this a great backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

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

Santa Elena and La Fortuna both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Santa Elena offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses through town that travel to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

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

Is Santa Elena or La Fortuna a more walkable city?

Santa Elena and La Fortuna are good when it comes to walkability.

Santa Elena is a somewhat walkable town. It's relatively easy to walk around, but you will need to take a bus to Monteverde.

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 Santa Elena Worth Visiting? and Is La Fortuna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Fortuna or Santa Elena?

How long in Santa Elena or La Fortuna?

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

Families should spend more time in La Fortuna than Santa Elena. 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 Santa Elena. 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 Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena.

One day in Santa Elena or La Fortuna?

With shopping around the outdoorsy town of Santa Elena, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the stunning town of La Fortuna. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Santa Elena or La Fortuna?

With shopping around the destination of Santa Elena, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the stunning destination of La Fortuna. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Santa Elena or La Fortuna?

Santa Elena, a popular town, 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.

The stunning town of La Fortuna offers nightlife and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Santa Elena or La Fortuna?

Santa Elena is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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.

Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting La Fortuna. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica, The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.

When comparing the travel costs between Santa Elena and La Fortuna, we can see that La Fortuna is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Central America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

When is the best time to visit Santa Elena or La Fortuna?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Santa Elena or La Fortuna in the Summer?

Both La Fortuna and Santa Elena during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.

La Fortuna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. Santa Elena usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as La Fortuna. Santa Elena gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Santa Elena often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Fortuna. Santa Elena gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 164 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Santa Elena or La Fortuna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Elena and La Fortuna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

The hurricane season in Santa Elena is June to October. December to April in La Fortuna is the dry season. The hurricane season in La Fortuna is May to November. La Fortuna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santa Elena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Santa Elena usually receives around the same amount of rain as La Fortuna. Santa Elena gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Santa Elena is around the same temperature as La Fortuna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santa Elena averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Santa Elena or La Fortuna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Santa Elena as well as La Fortuna. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.

Also, February to May in Santa Elena is the dry season. Santa Elena usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as La Fortuna. Santa Elena gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santa Elena this time of the year. In the winter, Santa Elena often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Fortuna. Santa Elena gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Santa Elena or La Fortuna in the Spring?

Both La Fortuna and Santa Elena are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Santa Elena is February to May. June to October is the hurricane season in Santa Elena. The dry season in La Fortuna is December to April. May to November is the hurricane season in La Fortuna. In April, Santa Elena usually receives around the same amount of rain as La Fortuna. Santa Elena gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in La Fortuna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. Santa Elena usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as La Fortuna during spring. Santa Elena gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Santa Elena is generally around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Santa Elena average around 29°C (85°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Santa Elena