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

Should you visit Bruges or Quepos?

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 Bruges and Quepos. 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.

Bruges

Bruges is a beautiful, historic, and charming city. Bruges is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Bruges travel costs.

Quepos

Quepos is a relaxed, local, and laid-back town. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Quepos travel costs.

Bruges and Quepos: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Quepos?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bruges. Although Bruges and Quepos are popular destinations, Bruges has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bruges is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Quepos attracts visitors for its resorts and beaches. Bruges is more touristy than Quepos and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. It is also well known for Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). Quepos is famous for its big game sport fishing.

How is Bruges different from Quepos?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bruges 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 Bruges specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with charming hidden corners as well as notable landmarks. The main square is Bruges' Markt which is where you'll find the the Belfry Tower. Other must-see sights include the Historium, Groeninge Museum, the Town Hall, and Brugse Vrije Museum.

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 Bruges or Quepos? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Bruges has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. From its world class breweries to its famous chocolate shops, there is plenty to eat and drink around town. In the old town prices can be a bit high, but the dishes and atmosphere are great. Popular local dishes include Belgian waffles, fries, mussels, and beef stew.

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 Bruges or Quepos Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Bruges and Quepos.

If you're looking for night time activities Bruges has a few options to choose from. It's famous for its beer and breweries, so you'll find a number of places to gather in the evening. There is a lack of nightclubs, so if dancing and partying hard is your style, then this may not be your place. The vibes are generally chill and relaxed at night. Most places are concentrated around old town or near Kuipersstraat or Zilverstraat.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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 Bruges or Quepos Better for Resorts?

Quepos is adequate for its luxury resorts. However, Bruges 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.

Bruges is not a resort destination.

Is Bruges or Quepos Better for Beaches?

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

Quepos offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Bruges is not a beach destination.

Is Bruges or Quepos Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Quepos does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Bruges is revered around the world. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Quepos does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Quepos?

If you're looking to go shopping, Bruges and Quepos both offer plenty of nice spots.

Bruges has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city offers plenty of shopping, whether you're looking for souvenirs, trendy European brands, or local items. It's more geared towards tourists than locals, and you want find the same diversity that you get in some of the larger nearby cities, but you'll find unique lace items and other local goods in the old town. The streets around Markt Square, Steenstraat, Geld Monstraat, and Jakobstraat are the main shopping areas.

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

Is Bruges or Quepos More Beautiful?

Bruges is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

Bruges is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. This charming city is lined with stunning architecture and quaint storefronts. Many people consider this to be one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium.

Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bruges or Quepos Better for Families?

Quepos is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Quepos. 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.

Bruges is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy sampling the unique chocolate around town, eating their fill of waffles, and getting their energy out in the park or at a local playground. There are also canal boat tours and horse drawn carriage rides that are fun for the whole family.

Is Bruges or Quepos Better for Couples?

Quepos is very popular for couples. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Quepos is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Bruges is a very popular place to visit for couples. This romantic city has amazing restaurants, charming streets, and impressive architecture. Couples will enjoy exploring the canals by boat or taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the old town. There are also a number of cute bed and breakfasts where you can stay.

Is Bruges or Quepos Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Quepos is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Quepos, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Bruges. There are a few good hostels around town. The city sees its share of tourists, but many arrive as part of tours or river boat cruises. If you stay in a hostel, you shouldn't have trouble meeting other young travelers though. There are also plenty of well known breweries where you can gather with friends.

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

Bruges and Quepos both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Bruges offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

Quepos has a few public transit options. There are a number of buses that pass through town. There are also buses that travel between Quepos and Manuel Antonio.

Is Bruges or Quepos a more walkable city?

Bruges is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Bruges. The train station is a short walk from the old town but the city is very walkable and best explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Quepos or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Quepos?

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

Families should spend more time in Quepos than Bruges. 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 Bruges. 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 Quepos than Bruges 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 Quepos.

One day in Bruges or Quepos?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Bruges. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Bruges or Quepos?

Bruges 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 Bruges or Quepos?

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

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 Bruges or Quepos?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Bruges. This 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid-back 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Belgium, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to 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 Bruges and Quepos, we can see that Bruges is more expensive. And not only is Quepos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bruges 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 Bruges would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bruges 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 Bruges Expensive? and Is Quepos Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Quepos?

Bruges has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Bruges 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 Bruges or Quepos?

Bruges 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 Bruges or Quepos in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Quepos. Many travelers come to Bruges for the family-friendly experiences. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Bruges is much colder than Quepos in the summer. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Quepos fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Bruges, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bruges usually receives more sunshine than Quepos during summer. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.

Quepos receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Bruges usually receives less rain than Quepos. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bruges or Quepos in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Quepos. Many visitors come to Bruges in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.

In the autumn, Bruges is much colder than Quepos. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bruges in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Quepos averages at about 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Quepos. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 169 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Quepos. Bruges usually gets less rain in October than Quepos. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in Quepos is the dry season. Also, the hurricane season in Quepos is May to November.

Should I visit Bruges or Quepos in the Winter?

Both Quepos and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Bruges can be very cold during winter. In January, Bruges is generally much colder than Quepos. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 3°C (38°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Quepos. Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Quepos during winter. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bruges usually receives more rain than Quepos. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bruges or Quepos in the Spring?

Both Quepos and Bruges during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Bruges because of the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.

Bruges is much colder than Quepos in the spring. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Quepos fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

In Quepos, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Quepos. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 255 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in April than Quepos. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in Quepos. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in Quepos.

Typical Weather for Quepos and Bruges