A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) vs. Quepos for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) or Quepos?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) and Quepos can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) or Quepos?

Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)

Puerto Plata, nestled on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, is a captivating destination known for its beautiful beaches, historical landmarks, and vibrant culture. Whether you're arriving via the bustling Amber Cove cruise port or planning an extended stay, Puerto Plata offers a diverse range of experiences for every traveler.

Quepos

Quepos is both a district and the capital of Aguirre canton in the Puntareanas Province of Costa Rica. The town is quite small, and the district has a population of about 22,000 people. Quepos is a popular tourist destination in Costa Rica due to its close proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific Coast. The town's economy is centered around tourism and there is no shortage of bars and restaurants in the area. The town also has a lively nightlife for such a small community.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Quepos or Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) is $246, while the average daily cost in Quepos is $153. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) and Quepos in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) $150
    Quepos $84
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) $300
    Quepos $168
Compare Hotels in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) and Quepos

Looking for a hotel in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) or Quepos? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)


Hotels in Quepos


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) Hotel Prices and Quepos Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) $9.59
    Quepos $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)

Also for Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Wheelchair accessible van Puerto plata to ( POP) airport Roundtrip transfer: $200
  • VIP Airport and Hotel Transfers with Local Experts: $50
  • Transfer to/from Puerto Plata Airport to/from Surrounding Areas: $30
  • Transfer Private Santiago STI Airport to Hotel in PuertoPlata: $114
  • Transfer Private Santiago Airport (STI) to Hotel in the City: $54
  • Taxi private transfer Airport "sti santiago" /to port silver: $125
  • Santiago to Cibao International Airport (STI) - Departure Private Transfer: $31
  • Puerto Plata to Rio San Juan transfer: $189
  • Puerto Plata to Lifestyle LHVC transfer: $91
  • Puerto Plata airport local transfer: $88
  • Puerto Plata VIP Transferencias y tours: $120
  • Puerto Plata Express Airport to Hotels Private Transfer: $55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos

Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • One-Way Private Transfer from Quepos - Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $295
  • Private transfer from Manuel Antonio Quepos to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport: $269
  • Private Transfer from Quepos Port to Liberia Int Airport (LIR): $256
  • Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to Liberia City Hotels: $256
  • Private Airport Transfer to Manuel Antonio: $250
  • Private Transfer: SJO Airport to or from Manuel Antonio Quepos: $235
  • Private Transfer FROM or TO Manuel Antonio - Sierpe: $209
  • Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to San Jose City Hotels: $205
  • Private One Way Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Arenal La Fortuna: $195
  • Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO): $164
  • One-Way Private Transfer from Uvita to Quepos - Manuel Antonio: $140
  • Private One Way Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San José (Airport SJO): $110

Is it cheaper to fly into Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) or Quepos?

Prices for flights to both Quepos and Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) $80
    Quepos $56

Typical Food Prices in Quepos

For Quepos, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch
    $16
  • Seafood Dinner (for 1)
    $22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quepos

For Quepos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Class and Medical Plants Garden: $77
  • Cooking Class & Medicinal Plants Garden Manuel Antonio: $77
  • Night Mangrove Safari Boat Tour with Dinner | Manuel Antonio: $79
  • Local Flavor Cooking Experience: $96

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) $43
    Quepos $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)

For Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Snorkeling Tour
    $44
  • Banana Boat Ride
    $6.34
  • Paragliding
    $54
  • 1 Hr Kayak Rental
    $13
  • Water Skiing
    $19

Tours and Activities in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Amber Cove (Puerto Plata).

  • * Best of Puerto Plata: City Tour, Beach & Tastings: $270
  • 27 Charcos de Damajagua Adventure: $55
  • 27 Damajagua Waterfalls for Cruises (Taino Bay and Amber Cove): $59
  • 27 Waterfalls and Monkey Jungle Adventure in Puerto Plata: $120
  • 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua: 7 Charcos Adventure Experience: $55
  • 3 Hours Buggy Adventure from Puerto Plata: $124
  • 3x1: Monkeyland Waterfalls and Buggy Tour Puerto Plata: $185
  • 3x1: Puerto Plata Cable Car, City Tour & Monkeyland: $199
  • 7 Damajagua Waterfalls, Monkeys and City Tour Puerto Plata: $110
  • 7 Waterfalls of Damajagua Tour Puerto Plata: $55
  • A Splash of Adventure: 27 Pools for Cruises, Hotels and Airbnb.: $70
  • ATV Adventure: $60

Tours and Activities in Quepos

For Quepos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2-Hour Damas Mangrove Kayak Tour from Quepos – Wildlife: $65
  • 2-Hour Kayak Tour in Quepos: $85
  • 2-Hour Kayak Tour in Quepos Mangroves – See Monkeys & Lunch: $77
  • Adventure to Natural Wonders on the Pacific Coast: $130
  • All Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure from Manuel Antonio: $86
  • All Inclusive Zip line & Catamaran Eco Adventure: $170
  • All-Inclusive Jungle Night Tour: $59
  • Barista Experience Workshop: $120
  • Barista Experience Workshop: $120
  • Barista Experience Workshop: $120
  • Birding at El Rey. (Marshes,rice fields,canals) Private Birding Tour: $120
  • Birdwatching Manuel Antonio/ El Rey. (Marshes,rice fields,canals) Group Tour: $129

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) $14
    Quepos $16


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) and Quepos, we can see that Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) is more expensive. And not only is Quepos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) is in Caribbean Islands and Quepos 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 Quepos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quepos 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 Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) than you might in Quepos.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) Expensive? and Is Quepos Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) or Quepos?

Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) and Quepos, 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.