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

Should you visit Beijing 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 Beijing 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.

Beijing

Beijing is a cultural, fascinating, and historic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Beijing offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Beijing travel costs.

Quepos

Quepos is a relaxed, local, and laid-back town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Quepos travel costs.

Beijing and Quepos: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Quepos?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing. Although Beijing and Quepos are popular destinations, Beijing has more sights and attractions for tourists. Beijing is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Quepos attracts visitors for its resorts and beaches. Beijing is more touristy than Quepos and is popular for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also well known for The Forbidden City. Quepos is famous for its big game sport fishing.

How is Beijing different from Quepos?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Beijing is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Quepos is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Beijing has many famous sights for visitors. The city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.

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 Beijing or Quepos? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Beijing is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Beijing has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a number of iconic dishes that have put it on the culinary map. The most notable dish is Peking Duck, which is a delectable crispy roast duck that is usually served with cucumber, scallions, sweet bean sauce and pancakes or other steamed buns. Hot pots are another must-try experience in the city, and, of course, you have to experience the dumplings. A huge part of a visit to Beijing is experiencing its long running culinary history.

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 Beijing or Quepos Better for Nightlife?

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

Beijing has a large number of nightlife venues. Live performances are popular in the city, and range from concerts to magic shows and acrobatics. There is also an active bar scene around town. Some of the most popular nightlife areas include Sanlitun and Houhai.

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 Beijing or Quepos Better for Resorts?

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

You might not think of Quepos as a resort destination, but it has a few places. 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.

Beijing is not a resort destination.

Is Beijing or Quepos Better for Beaches?

Quepos is a town with good options for the beach. However, Beijing is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Quepos. 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.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Quepos?

Beijing is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Beijing. There are many unique handicrafts that you can purchase around town. Popular souvenirs include silk, pearls, and snuff bottles with pictures inside. The city has many shopping streets as well as markets and shopping malls that are worth visiting.

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

Is Beijing or Quepos More Beautiful?

Beijing is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

Beijing offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The parks, gardens, palaces, and temples all offer a glimpse into the past, while also letting you enjoy the city and culture that exists today.

Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Beijing or Quepos Better for Families?

Quepos is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Quepos is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Beijing offers lots of family activities. The city offers a unique cultural immersion that kids and adults can enjoy. Wander through the Forbidden City or watch your kids be mesmerized by a Chinese acrobatics show. It's also fun to get lost in the Hutongs or test their culinary palates by visiting a snack street.

Is Beijing or Quepos Better for Couples?

Quepos is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Quepos is a great town for couples, as it 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.

Beijing is a nice destination for couples. The culture, history, and food all make this a stunning place to visit. While romance doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think of Beijing, there are shows and fine dining restaurants that couples will enjoy. There are also many luxury hotels with spas and other amenities.

Is Beijing or Quepos Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Quepos is a very popular town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Beijing is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The city has many hostels and budget-friendly options. There isn't the backpacker community vibe that you may get in other Asian cities, but if you organize an excursion through your hostel, you're sure to make a few friends along the way.

Is Beijing or Quepos Better for Students?

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

Beijing is very popular with students. Students will enjoy the culture, food, and academic opportunities that the universities offer. There is also a decent nightlife scene and affordable places where students can live.

Quepos is not popular with students.

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

Beijing is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Beijing can get you to most places easily. The system can be crowded and confusing at first, but it's one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get around town. There's a subway system as well as buses, trolleybuses, and suburban rail.

You'll find some public transit in Quepos, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are a number of buses that pass through town. There are also buses that travel between Quepos and Manuel Antonio.

Is Beijing or Quepos a more walkable city?

Quepos is a town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

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

Beijing is generally not a very walkable city. While parts of the city are fun to explore on foot, the city itself is very large with long blocks that aren't pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Quepos or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Quepos?

It's fun to spend time in either Beijing or Quepos. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Beijing due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 2-4 days is enough time in Quepos.

Families should spend more time in Quepos than Beijing. 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.

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

One day in Beijing or Quepos?

Beijing is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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 Beijing or Quepos?

Beijing is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. 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 Beijing or Quepos?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beijing. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. 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 Beijing or Quepos?

Beijing is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, 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 Beijing and Quepos, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing is in Asia 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 Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Quepos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Quepos than you might in Beijing.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Quepos?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 960 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Beijing 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 Beijing or Quepos?

Beijing 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 Beijing or Quepos in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Quepos. Many visitors come to Beijing in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.

Beijing is around the same temperature as Quepos in the summer. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Quepos fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the summer, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Quepos. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 164 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Quepos. Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Beijing usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Quepos. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Quepos in the Autumn?

Both Quepos and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Beijing is much colder than Quepos. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beijing in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Quepos averages at about 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Quepos during autumn. Beijing gets 227 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, Beijing usually receives less rain than Quepos. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 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 in Quepos is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Beijing or Quepos in the Winter?

Both Quepos and Beijing during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Beijing because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.

The weather in Beijing can be very cold. In January, Beijing is generally much colder than Quepos. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around -4°C (26°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Quepos, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the winter, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Quepos. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Quepos. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Quepos in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Quepos. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Beijing is much colder than Quepos in the spring. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Quepos fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Quepos this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Quepos during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Beijing usually receives around the same amount of rain as Quepos. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 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. The hurricane season in Quepos is May to November.

Typical Weather for Quepos and Beijing