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

Should you visit Christchurch or La Fortuna?

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

Should I visit Christchurch 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.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a outdoorsy, adventure-filled, and cultural city. Christchurch is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Christchurch 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.

Christchurch and La Fortuna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Christchurch or La Fortuna?

Visitors will usually find more to do in La Fortuna than Christchurch, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. La Fortuna is better known for its resorts and impressive beauty, while Christchurch is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping. La Fortuna is more touristy than Christchurch and is known for its hot springs, luxury resorts, and volcanic views. Also, La Fortuna is famous for Arenal Volcano. Christchurch is well known for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere.

How is Christchurch different from La Fortuna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Christchurch 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 Christchurch. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.

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

Christchurch 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 Christchurch. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.

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 Christchurch or La Fortuna Better for Nightlife?

Christchurch 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.

Christchurch has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.

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 Christchurch or La Fortuna Better for Resorts?

La Fortuna is terrific for its resorts. However, Christchurch is not a resort destination.

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.

Christchurch is not a resort destination.

Is Christchurch or La Fortuna Better for Beaches?

Christchurch is notable for the beach. However, La Fortuna is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Christchurch for it's beautiful beaches. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.

La Fortuna is not a beach destination.

Is Christchurch or La Fortuna Better for Hiking?

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

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Christchurch. There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Christchurch or La Fortuna?

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

Christchurch is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a mix of boutique shops, outlet malls, and open air markets. Some of the best shopping places include the Tannery and the Colombo.

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 Christchurch or La Fortuna More Beautiful?

La Fortuna is well known for its scenery and beauty. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and 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.

Christchurch offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With its many beautiful parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces, this is a very scenic city.

Is Christchurch or La Fortuna Better for Families?

Christchurch 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, Christchurch is very family-friendly. The International Antarctic Centre is a thrilling and fun experience. There's also the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. For adrenaline junkies there are the ropes courses at the Adrenalin Forest. There are also many indoor playgrounds and rock climbing facilities.

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 Christchurch or La Fortuna Better for Couples?

La Fortuna is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Christchurch is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Punting on the Avon River is one of the most romantic activities in the city. There are also botanical gardens, parks, and natural areas that are fun to explore. Nearby, you can do a wine tour, or there are cocktail bars and charming restaurants in town. The city also has a nice theater and many other date night activities.

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

Christchurch and La Fortuna are superb places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Christchurch is a great city to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

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 Christchurch or La Fortuna Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Christchurch. It's the largest city on the South Island and there are plenty of activities and nearby trips that you can enjoy.

La Fortuna is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Christchurch and La Fortuna.

You'll find some public transit in Christchurch, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around town.

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.

Is Christchurch or La Fortuna a more walkable city?

Christchurch 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.

Christchurch is a very walkable city. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

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 Christchurch Worth Visiting? and Is La Fortuna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Fortuna or Christchurch?

How long in Christchurch or La Fortuna?

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

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

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

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

One day in Christchurch or La Fortuna?

With museums and nightlife around the outdoorsy city of Christchurch, 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.

In La Fortuna, many people enjoy the food and nightlife that this popular town offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Christchurch or La Fortuna?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Christchurch, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

La Fortuna is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Christchurch or La Fortuna?

Christchurch, 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.

You'll find food and nightlife around the stunning destination of La Fortuna. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Christchurch or La Fortuna?

Christchurch 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.

La Fortuna is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Christchurch 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. Even though Christchurch is in Pacific and La Fortuna is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Christchurch or La Fortuna?

Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch 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 Christchurch or La Fortuna?

Christchurch 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 Christchurch or La Fortuna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Christchurch and La Fortuna. Most visitors come to Christchurch for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Christchurch is much colder than La Fortuna in the summer. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.

In Christchurch, it's very sunny this time of the year. Christchurch usually receives more sunshine than La Fortuna during summer. Christchurch 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. In January, Christchurch usually receives less rain than La Fortunain July. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Christchurch or La Fortuna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Christchurch as well as La Fortuna. The autumn months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.

In the autumn, Christchurch is much colder than La Fortuna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Christchurch in April average around 12°C (54°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.

In the autumn, Christchurch often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Fortunain October. Christchurch gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in La Fortuna. Christchurch usually gets less rain in April than La Fortunain October. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 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. Also, the hurricane season in La Fortuna is May to November.

Should I visit Christchurch or La Fortuna in the Winter?

Both La Fortuna and Christchurch are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Christchurch is generally much colder than La Fortunain January. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 6°C (43°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in La Fortuna. Christchurch usually receives less sunshine than La Fortuna during winter. Christchurch gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Christchurch usually receives more rain than La Fortunain January. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Christchurch or La Fortuna in the Spring?

Both La Fortuna and Christchurch during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Christchurch for the beaches and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.

Christchurch is much colder than La Fortuna in the spring. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in April.

In La Fortuna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Christchurch. In the spring, Christchurch often gets less sunshine than La Fortunain April. Christchurch gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets more rain in October than La Fortunain April. Christchurch gets 45 mm (1.8 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. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in La Fortuna.

Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Christchurch