A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Antwerp vs. Quepos for Couples, Backpackers, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Antwerp or Quepos?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Antwerp and Quepos can help you decide which place is right for you.

Antwerp

Antwerp is a genuine, cultural, and historical port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Antwerp travel costs.

Quepos

Quepos is a laid-back, relaxed, and local town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Quepos travel costs.

Antwerp and Quepos: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antwerp or Quepos?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Antwerp. Although Antwerp and Quepos are both popular with visitors, Antwerp has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Antwerp is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Quepos is known for its resorts and beaches. Quepos is more touristy than Antwerp and is popular for its big game sport fishing. Antwerp is popular for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town. It is also home to Antwerpen-Centraal.

How is Antwerp different from Quepos?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Antwerp or Quepos?

Antwerp is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Quepos is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Antwerp specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city has a number of cathedrals, museums, and art galleries that are fun to explore. The history and culture of the town is best experienced by wandering the streets and soaking up the architecture.

Quepos offers a few options for museum-goers. You won't find much as far as museums go around town.

Is the Food Better in Antwerp or Quepos? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Antwerp is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Antwerp has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. People with a sweet tooth will enjoy the chocolates and biscuits that make this city famous. You'll also find plenty of fries and casual dining options to choose from. Local favorites include mussels and fish and chips, and of course, you must try the beer!

Quepos offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a mix of cafes, fine dining, and seafood restaurants in the area. You can get traditional Costa Rican dishes as well as a more international flavor depending on your preference.

Is Antwerp or Quepos Better for Nightlife?

Antwerp is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Antwerp has a large number of nightlife venues. With its large student population and young vibe, you'll find an active nightlife scene around town. Many of the the clubs and bars are concentrated in the docklands, but you'll also find places to hang out everywhere around town.

Quepos has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find a few bars and clubs around town, but it is a small town and the selection can be limited.

Is Antwerp or Quepos Better for Resorts?

Quepos is a town with a few options for its resorts. However, Antwerp is not a resort destination.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Quepos offers a few options. It's a fishing town with a local vibe, so you'll likely want to stay outside of town if you're looking for an upscale resort.

Antwerp is not a resort destination.

Is Antwerp or Quepos Better for Beaches?

Quepos is very good for the beach. However, Antwerp is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Quepos to enjoy the beach. If you want to be close to the beach, you'll do better to stay at nearby Manuel Antonio. Quepos does have a waterfront and access to deep sea fishing.

Antwerp is not a beach destination.

Is Antwerp or Quepos Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Quepos does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Antwerp. The old city has a long running history and many unique spots to explore. At the heart of the old town is Grote Markt, which is surrounded by beautiful buildings and cobblestone streets. There are a diversity of restaurants including local cuisines, Italian restaurants, and a number of different ethnic food. You'll also find local chocolate shops, waffle vendors, and ice cream.

Quepos does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Antwerp or Quepos?

Antwerp is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Antwerp specifically to go shopping. The city has become known for its fashion scene. The main shopping street is Meir, which is where you'll find a variety of European fashion chains. It's also fun to buy chocolates, art, or other souvenirs around town. You'll find both locals and tourists perusing the main shopping areas around town.

Quepos is a great destination for shopping. You'll find boutique shops around town that sell everything from clothing to art.

Is Antwerp or Quepos Better for Families?

Quepos is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Quepos is a very kid-friendly town. Most of the beaches are kid-friendly and the children will love the wildlife. You'll also find zipline tours in the area as well as canopy walks.

Antwerp offers lots of family activities. Favorite kid-friendly activities around town include taking a ride on the Ferris Wheel, going to the local zoo, or exploring the indoor play area Plopsa Station. Kids will also enjoy exploring the underground canals or taking a boat ride. Chocolate lovers will have fun checking out the many chocolate shops around town.

Is Antwerp or Quepos Better for Couples?

Quepos is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Quepos has plenty to offer. The beaches and resorts make this a favorite honeymoon destination for couples. There are many great restaurants and plenty of activities like horseback riding or surfing nearby.

Antwerp is a good port city for couples to visit. The city has a wonderful café culture with great restaurants and beautiful neighborhoods to explore. There are many great restaurants as well as plenty of shopping opportunities.

Is Antwerp or Quepos Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Quepos is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Quepos. It's one of the more popular destinations in Costa Rica, so you'll find plenty of hostels and other backpackers to hang out with.

It's common for backpackers to visit Antwerp. With a handful of hostels and a variety of free activities, this is an affordable place to visit. It's often overlooked by backpackers so those that visit will be rewarded. It has a vibe of authenticity which is great for backpacker's who are a bit jaded from the tourism scene.

Is Antwerp or Quepos Better for Students?

Antwerp is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Quepos is not popular with students.

Antwerp is very popular with students. There's a good student culture and a lot of activities that give the city a fun and youthful vibe. It's a relatively big city with a lot of transportation connections, so it makes a great base for exploring other areas.

Quepos is not popular with students.

Is Antwerp or Quepos Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Antwerp and Quepos.

You'll find some public transit in Antwerp, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are both tram and bus lines around town. The city also has a large and impressive train station with many connections, making it a good base for exploring other areas.

While Quepos offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are a number of buses that pass through town. There are also buses that travel between Quepos and Manuel Antonio.

Is Antwerp or Quepos a more walkable city?

Antwerp is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Antwerp is a very walkable destination. The old town can be comfortably explored on foot, particularly the area around Grote Markt.

Quepos is somewhat walkable. It is a relatively walkable town.

For even more information, also check out Is Antwerp Worth Visiting? and Is Quepos Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Quepos or Antwerp?

How long in Antwerp or Quepos?

It's fun to spend time in either Antwerp or Quepos. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Quepos due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Antwerp, and 2-4 days is enough time in Quepos.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Antwerp than Quepos 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 Antwerp.

One day in Antwerp or Quepos?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Antwerp. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Quepos, you'll find shopping and nightlife. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Antwerp or Quepos?

Antwerp is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Quepos, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Quepos has to offer.

Five days in Antwerp or Quepos?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Antwerp. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Quepos is a great place to explore. 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.

A week in Antwerp or Quepos?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Antwerp. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Belgium, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Belgium, The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antwerp and Quepos, we can see that Antwerp is more expensive. And not only is Quepos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antwerp is in Europe 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 Antwerp would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antwerp 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 Antwerp Expensive? and Is Quepos Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Antwerp or Quepos?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Antwerp 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.

When is the best time to visit Antwerp or Quepos?

Antwerp has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Quepos experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Quepos in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Antwerp as well as Quepos. The summer months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.

In the summer, Antwerp is much colder than Quepos. Typically, the summer temperatures in Antwerp in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Quepos averages at about 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Antwerp this time of the year. In the summer, Antwerp often gets more sunshine than Quepos. Antwerp gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 164 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Quepos. Antwerp usually gets less rain in July than Quepos. Antwerp gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Quepos in the Autumn?

Both Quepos and Antwerp are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Antwerp is generally much colder than Quepos. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 12°C (54°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Quepos during autumn. Antwerp gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Quepos. In October, Antwerp usually receives less rain than Quepos. Antwerp gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Quepos is December to April. May to November is the hurricane season in Quepos.

Should I visit Antwerp or Quepos in the Winter?

Both Quepos and Antwerp during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Antwerp for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Antwerp. Antwerp is much colder than Quepos in the winter. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Quepos, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Quepos. Antwerp gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets more rain in January than Quepos. Antwerp gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Quepos in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Antwerp and Quepos. Many visitors come to Antwerp in the spring for the activities around the city. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Antwerp is much colder than Quepos. Typically, the spring temperatures in Antwerp in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Quepos averages at about 29°C (85°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Quepos this time of the year. Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Quepos during spring. Antwerp gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Antwerp usually receives more rain than Quepos. Antwerp gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. December to April in Quepos is the dry season. May to November in Quepos is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Quepos and Antwerp