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

Should you visit La Fortuna or Toronto?

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 Toronto. 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 stunning, scenic, and popular town. La Fortuna is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking. See La Fortuna travel costs.

Toronto

Toronto is a diverse, vibrant, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Toronto travel costs.

La Fortuna and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Fortuna or Toronto?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toronto. Although La Fortuna and Toronto are popular destinations, Toronto has more sights and attractions for tourists. Toronto is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while La Fortuna attracts visitors for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty. La Fortuna is more touristy than Toronto and is popular for its hot springs, luxury resorts, and volcanic views. Toronto is famous for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also well known for the CN Tower.

How is La Fortuna different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Toronto 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 Toronto?

Toronto is renowned for its sights and museums. However, La Fortuna is a mediocre town for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Toronto are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with landmarks and museums such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum. Ripley's Aquarium is a highlight for many visitors. It's near the CN Tower and has an underwater tunnel. The city is also filled with art galleries and cultural sights. Another must is a visit to Casa Loma and, of course, the Toronto Zoo.

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

Toronto 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 Toronto. The food scene is as diverse as the city itself. You'll find classic Canadian favorites like peameal bacon sandwiches and beavertails, as well as almost any international cuisine you could want. Make sure you try the dim sum, roti, and street hot dogs.

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 La Fortuna or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, La Fortuna is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

Toronto is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. It's a diverse nightlife scene, with upscale lounges, dive bars, live music, and high energy nightclubs. Popular areas for nightlife include King Street, the Ossington Strip, College Street, and Kensington Market.

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 La Fortuna or Toronto Better for Resorts?

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

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.

Toronto is not a resort destination.

Is La Fortuna or Toronto Better for Hiking?

La Fortuna is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Fortuna or Toronto?

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

The abundance of shops in Toronto make it a world-class shopping destination. Shopping is huge here, with plenty of options available that range from large malls to vintage stores or flea markets. Eaton Center on Yonge Street is a major shopping area. Yonge Street is also home to more than 600 retail stores.

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 La Fortuna or Toronto More Beautiful?

La Fortuna is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

La Fortuna is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. 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.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is La Fortuna or Toronto Better for Families?

Both La Fortuna and Toronto are very good family-friendly destinations.

La Fortuna is a very kid-friendly town. 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 family-friendly things to do in Toronto. Kids will enjoy the city's many family-friendly museums like the Royal Ontario Museum or the Ontario Science Center. Younger kids will have fun playing at the Centreville Theme Park while all ages will love a day at Canada's Wonderland. Black Creek Pioneer Village is a highlight for many families as well.

Is La Fortuna or Toronto Better for Couples?

La Fortuna is terrific for romance. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Couples visit Toronto frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This city is full of energy, and couples can enjoy amazing meals, impressive shows, and romantic outings. You can picnic at a park or check out the view from CN Tower. There are also dinner cruises and live theater.

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

Both La Fortuna and Toronto are very good destinations for backpackers.

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 and backpackers visit Toronto. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Is La Fortuna or Toronto Better for Students?

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

Toronto is a very popular place to visit for students. The city has a good number of universities that attract students from around the globe. This is a very livable city with a lot of diversity and plenty of entertainment options.

La Fortuna is not popular with students.

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

Toronto is renowned 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.

Toronto has a great public transit system. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

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 La Fortuna or Toronto a more walkable city?

Toronto 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.

Toronto is a very walkable city. It's a pedestrian-friendly city that is great for exploring on foot. The waterfront area has a walkway and there are cycling trails around town as well.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Toronto or La Fortuna?

How long in La Fortuna or Toronto?

Both La Fortuna and Toronto have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Toronto than in La Fortuna. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Fortuna, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.

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

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

One day in La Fortuna or Toronto?

In La Fortuna, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

When visiting Toronto, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in La Fortuna or Toronto?

In La Fortuna, you'll find food and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that La Fortuna has to offer.

When visiting Toronto, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 Toronto?

La Fortuna is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Toronto, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in La Fortuna or Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Fortuna. Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting La Fortuna. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Toronto is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city 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 Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Fortuna and Toronto, we can see that Toronto 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 Toronto 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 Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto 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 Toronto Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Fortuna or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 1530 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of La Fortuna and Toronto, 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 Toronto?

Toronto 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 Toronto in the Summer?

Both Toronto and La Fortuna during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Toronto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, La Fortuna is generally a little warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in La Fortuna average around 28°C (82°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Toronto, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, La Fortuna often gets less sunshine than Toronto. La Fortuna gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. La Fortuna usually gets more rain in July than Toronto. La Fortuna gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Fortuna or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both La Fortuna and Toronto. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.

La Fortuna is much warmer than Toronto in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Fortuna averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

La Fortuna usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during autumn. La Fortuna gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.

La Fortuna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, La Fortuna usually receives more rain than Toronto. La Fortuna gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to April in La Fortuna is the dry season. The hurricane season in La Fortuna is May to November.

Should I visit La Fortuna or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to La Fortuna as well as Toronto. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Toronto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Toronto. In the winter, La Fortuna is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Fortuna in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Toronto averages at about -4°C (25°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Fortuna this time of the year. In the winter, La Fortuna often gets more sunshine than Toronto. La Fortuna gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.

La Fortuna usually gets less rain in January than Toronto. La Fortuna gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Fortuna or Toronto in the Spring?

Both Toronto and La Fortuna are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Toronto in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, La Fortuna is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in La Fortuna average around 29°C (85°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. La Fortuna usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during spring. La Fortuna gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, La Fortuna usually receives less rain than Toronto. La Fortuna gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in La Fortuna is December to April. May to November is the hurricane season in La Fortuna.

Typical Weather for Toronto and La Fortuna