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

Should you visit Bergen or Quepos?

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

Should I visit Bergen or Quepos? 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.

Bergen

Bergen is a nostalgic, friendly, and laid back city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Bergen travel costs.

Quepos

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

Bergen and Quepos: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bergen or Quepos?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bergen. Although Bergen and Quepos are popular destinations, Bergen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bergen is very popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Quepos attracts visitors for its resorts and beaches. Bergen is famous for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty. It is also well known for Bryggen. Quepos is famous for its big game sport fishing.

How is Bergen different from Quepos?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bergen is very good for its museums and history. However, Quepos is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bergen. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

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 Bergen or Quepos? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Bergen and Quepos offer nice local cuisine and restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Bergen area. The city's economy has long been centered around the fish trade and even today you'll find cod, shellfish, trout, and salmon on most menus. Sheep and mutton are also popular. Desserts and coffee are also a big part of the local culture.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Quepos. 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 Bergen or Quepos Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Bergen and Quepos.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bergen. It's a small city without a huge nightlife district, but there are bars and clubs in Bryggen and Old Bulls Plass. The city has enough students to keep things lively and fun.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Quepos. You'll find a few bars and clubs around town, but it is a small town and the selection can be limited.

Is Bergen or Quepos Better for Resorts?

Quepos is a moderate town for its resorts. However, Bergen 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.

Bergen is not a resort destination.

Is Bergen or Quepos Better for Beaches?

Quepos is a popular place for the beach. However, Bergen is not a beach destination.

Quepos is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Bergen is not a beach destination.

Is Bergen or Quepos Better for its Old Town?

Bergen is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Quepos does not have a historic old town.

Bergen has an old town worth visiting. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Quepos does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bergen or Quepos?

Bergen 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 Bergen. The city center is filled with specialty boutiques as well as larger department stores. Shopping has long been a large part of the economy and you'll enjoy exploring the diversity of retail options.

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

Is Bergen or Quepos Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bergen or Quepos.

Bergen is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are some interesting educational opportunities for kids including the Bergen Aquarium, VilVite Science Centre, and Experience Bryggen. Other fun activities include Vannkanten Waterworld and the Fløibanen Funicular.

Quepos is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Is Bergen or Quepos Better for Couples?

Quepos is very popular for couples. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Quepos makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Bergen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many romantic activities near town like swimming in the fjords and walking through the parks. There are also spas and music concerts to enjoy.

Is Bergen or Quepos Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Quepos is very popular for backpackers. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Bergen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Is Bergen or Quepos Better for Students?

Bergen is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Quepos is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Bergen. It's a very student-friendly city with many activities and a laid back atmosphere. The university facilities are spread out around town and the locals are welcoming and helpful.

Quepos is not popular with students.

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

Bergen 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 Bergen can get you to most places easily. For the areas that are outside of the city center, you can take a local bus or the light rail to access them. These services are operated by Skyss.

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 Bergen or Quepos a more walkable city?

Bergen 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.

Bergen is a very walkable destination. The city center is flat and compact enough that it's fun to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Quepos or Bergen?

How long in Bergen or Quepos?

It's fun to spend time in either Bergen 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 Bergen, and 2-4 days is enough time in Quepos.

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

Couples should spend more time in Quepos than Bergen. 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.

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

One day in Bergen or Quepos?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bergen. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Quepos. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bergen or Quepos?

Bergen is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Quepos is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Bergen or Quepos?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bergen. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Quepos. 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.

A week in Bergen or Quepos?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Bergen. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the relaxed destination of Quepos. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Norway, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway, The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.

When comparing the travel costs between Bergen and Quepos, we can see that Bergen 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 Bergen is in Europe and Quepos 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 Bergen Expensive? and Is Quepos Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bergen or Quepos?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Bergen 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 Bergen or Quepos?

Bergen 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 Bergen or Quepos in the Summer?

Both Quepos and Bergen during the summer are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bergen this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.

Bergen is much colder than Quepos in the summer. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 15°C (58°F) in July, and Quepos fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Quepos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. Bergen usually gets less rain in July than Quepos. Bergen gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Quepos in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bergen and Quepos. Many travelers come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Bergen is much colder than Quepos. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bergen in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Quepos averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Quepos receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Bergen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Quepos. Bergen gets 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to April in Quepos is the dry season. May to November in Quepos is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Bergen or Quepos in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bergen as well as Quepos. Many visitors come to Bergen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.

Bergen can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Bergen is generally much colder than Quepos. Daily temperatures in Bergen average around 2°C (35°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bergen usually gets more rain in January than Quepos. Bergen gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or Quepos in the Spring?

Both Quepos and Bergen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bergen for the small town charm during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Bergen is much colder than Quepos in the spring. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Quepos fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. In April, Bergen usually receives more rain than Quepos. Bergen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Quepos is December to April. The hurricane season in Quepos is May to November.

Typical Weather for Quepos and Bergen