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

Should you visit Zurich 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 Zurich 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.

Zurich

Zurich is a beautiful, historic, and liberal city. The beauty of Zurich is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping. See Zurich 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. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and nightlife. See La Fortuna travel costs.

Zurich and La Fortuna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or La Fortuna?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Zurich than La Fortuna, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Zurich is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, and shopping, while La Fortuna is more popular for its resorts and hiking. La Fortuna is more touristy than Zurich and is known for its hot springs, luxury resorts, and volcanic views. Zurich is well known for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. Also, Zurich is famous for The Grossmünster.

How is Zurich different from La Fortuna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Zurich is notable for its sights and museums. However, La Fortuna is a mediocre town for its museums and history.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Zurich. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

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

Zurich 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 Zurich. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in 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 Zurich or La Fortuna Better for Nightlife?

Zurich 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.

Zurich has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

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 Zurich or La Fortuna Better for Music?

Zurich is notable for its live music scene. However, La Fortuna is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Zurich. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

La Fortuna is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or La Fortuna Better for Resorts?

La Fortuna is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Zurich 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.

Zurich is not a resort destination.

Is Zurich or La Fortuna Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is renowned for its old town. However, La Fortuna does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Zurich is one of the most recognized in the world. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

La Fortuna does not have a historic old town.

Is Zurich or La Fortuna Better for Hiking?

La Fortuna is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Zurich is not a hiking destination.

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.

Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or La Fortuna?

Zurich is renowned for its shopping opportunities. However, La Fortuna is a mediocre town for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Zurich make it a world-class shopping destination. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

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 Zurich or La Fortuna More Beautiful?

Zurich and La Fortuna are somewhat similar when it comes to the excellent scenery.

The beauty of Zurich is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. With Lake Zurich and the mountains as a backdrop, this is a truly beautiful city.

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.

Is Zurich or La Fortuna Better for Families?

Both Zurich and La Fortuna are excellent family-friendly destinations.

Zurich is a very kid-friendly city. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

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 Zurich or La Fortuna Better for Couples?

La Fortuna is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

Zurich makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

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

La Fortuna is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Is Zurich or La Fortuna Better for Students?

Zurich is renowned for students. However, La Fortuna is not popular with students.

Zurich is a very popular place to visit for students. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

La Fortuna is not popular with students.

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

Zurich 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 Zurich can get you around easily. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

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 Zurich or La Fortuna a more walkable city?

Zurich is notable for its high level of walkability. Also, La Fortuna is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its ease of walking around.

Zurich is a very walkable city. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

La Fortuna is a somewhat walkable city. 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 Zurich Worth Visiting? and Is La Fortuna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Fortuna or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or La Fortuna?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Zurich 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 Zurich.

One day in Zurich or La Fortuna?

With live music and food around the liberal city of Zurich, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of La Fortuna. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Zurich or La Fortuna?

With food and shopping around the destination of Zurich, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

La Fortuna is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Zurich or La Fortuna?

Zurich, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Zurich or La Fortuna?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic destination of La Fortuna. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, 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 Zurich and La Fortuna, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is La Fortuna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe 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 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Zurich or La Fortuna?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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 Zurich or La Fortuna?

Zurich 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 Zurich or La Fortuna in the Summer?

Both La Fortuna and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Zurich because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Zurich is cooler than La Fortuna in the summer. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zurich. Zurich usually receives more sunshine than La Fortuna during summer. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. In July, Zurich usually receives less rain than La Fortuna. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Zurich or La Fortuna in the Autumn?

Both La Fortuna and Zurich during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.

In the autumn, Zurich is much colder than La Fortuna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zurich in October average around 13°C (56°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Zurich often gets less sunshine than La Fortuna. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun.

La Fortuna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zurich usually gets less rain in October than La Fortuna. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in La Fortuna. Also, the hurricane season in La Fortuna is May to November.

Should I visit Zurich or La Fortuna in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and La Fortuna. Many travelers come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Zurich. In January, Zurich is generally much colder than La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 3°C (37°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Fortuna this time of the year. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than La Fortuna during winter. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zurich usually receives more rain than La Fortuna. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Zurich or La Fortuna in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Zurich as well as La Fortuna. Many visitors come to Zurich in the spring for the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.

Zurich is much colder than La Fortuna in the spring. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. In the spring, Zurich often gets less sunshine than La Fortuna. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in April than La Fortuna. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 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.

Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Zurich