Which place is cheaper, Quepos or Fortaleza?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza 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: Fortaleza or Quepos?
Fortaleza
A major city on Brazil's northeastern coast and the capital city of Ceara state, Fortaleza is best characterized by its city landscape lined with beaches and palm trees. It also features some great seafood as well as long-standing folk traditions in culture and dance.
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 Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFortaleza $69Quepos $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $69, while the average daily cost in Quepos is $117. 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 Fortaleza and Quepos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFortaleza $30Quepos $77
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFortaleza $60Quepos $154
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and Quepos
Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza 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.
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: Fortaleza Hotel Prices and Quepos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fortaleza $21Quepos $9.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza
Also for Fortaleza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to Beach Park: $12
- Transfer leaving from the Fortaleza waterfront to Beach Park: $8.97
- Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $29
- Transfer Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $300
- Transfer Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $153
- Transfer 4x4 Regular Service Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $75
- Transfer 4 X 4 Fortaleza to Jericoacoara or Jericoacoara to Fortaleza: $240
- Shared Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $104
- Shared Transfer from Fortaleza to Cumbuco: $49
- Shared Transfer from Fortaleza to Aquiraz: $88
- Shared Airport Transfer to Fortaleza Hotels: $9.58
- Roundtrip transfer from Pinto Martins Airport to Hotels in Fortaleza: $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos
Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Manuel Antonio/Quepos : $300
- One-Way Private Transfer from Quepos - Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $276
- Manuel Antonio & Quepos one way transfer to SJO hotels - Airport up to 5 people.: $274
- Private transfer from SJ Airport to Manuel Antonio and vice versa: $230
- Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport and surroundings : $209
- Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Nauyaca Waterfalls (Round Trip): $199
- One-Way Private Transfer from Uvita to Quepos - Manuel Antonio: $140
- Private Transfer From San Jose Airport To Manuel Antonio Beach: $125
- Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to San Jose City Hotels: $91
- Shuttle Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San Jose: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or Quepos?
Prices for flights to both Quepos and Fortaleza 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
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Food Meals for one dayFortaleza $24Quepos $30
Typical Food Prices in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$15
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Seafood Dinner (for 1)$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Night Jungle Tour with Dinner (Rainmaker Park): $59
- 3 Hour 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fortaleza $15Quepos $17
Tours and Activities in Fortaleza
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fortaleza.
- Águas Belas Tour: $15
- 3 Beaches in 1 Day Tour Leaving Fortaleza: $13
- Beach Park Full-Day Trip Including Brief Tour of Fortaleza: $35
- Canoa Quebrada Beach Tour with Nettour: $20
- Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $19
- City Tour Fortaleza - Full Day Cumbuco Beach Tour by Nettour: $26
- City-Tour and Fortaleza (central market, cathedral, Fort, Theaters, encetur, P.ferreira: $56
- Cumbuco Beach Tour: $12
- Cumbuco Beach with City Tour from Fortaleza: $16
- Fortaleza City Tour : $26
- Fortaleza Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $31
- 4-Hour City Car Tour: $266
Tours and Activities in Quepos
For Quepos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 10 in 1 Tour! Zip Lines, Rappels, Tarzan Swing, Waterfalls & More: $130
- 2-Hour Boat Tour in Quepos: $55
- ATV Tour Half Day Trip From Manuel Antonio: $90
- All Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure from Manuel Antonio: $83
- All-Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure with Lunch: $93
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Nauyaca Waterfall and Beach Town Tour: $142
- Beach Day Experience in Manuel Antonio: $20
- Birding at El Rey. (Marshes,rice fields,canals) Private Birding Tour : $120
- Birdwatching Tour: $130
- Catamaran Adventure From Manuel Antonio: $116
- Chocolate Tour Manuel Antonio: $60
- Chocolate and Coffee Tour Manuel Antonio: $62
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFortaleza $9.97Quepos $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Quepos, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is Fortaleza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fortaleza is in South America 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 Fortaleza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fortaleza Expensive? and Is Quepos Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or Quepos?
Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 310 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza or Quepos?
Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza or Quepos in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Fortaleza and Quepos. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Quepos. Typically, the summer temperatures in Fortaleza in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Quepos averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.
In Fortaleza, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fortaleza usually receives more sunshine than Quepos during summer. Fortaleza gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
Quepos receives a lot of rain in the summer. Fortaleza gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Fortaleza usually receives less rain than Queposin July. Fortaleza gets 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyFortaleza 28°C (82°F)Quepos 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Fortaleza or Quepos in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Fortaleza as well as Quepos. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.
In April, Fortaleza is generally around the same temperature as Queposin October. Daily temperatures in Fortaleza average around 27°C (80°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Fortaleza often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Queposin October. Fortaleza gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Quepos. Fortaleza receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Fortaleza usually gets more rain in April than Queposin October. Fortaleza gets 356 mm (14 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberFortaleza 27°C (80°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Fortaleza or Quepos in the Winter?
Both Quepos and Fortaleza are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Quepos in the winter. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Quepos. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Quepos during winter. Fortaleza gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Fortaleza usually receives more rain than Queposin January. Fortaleza gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryFortaleza 26°C (79°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Fortaleza or Quepos in the Spring?
Both Quepos and Fortaleza during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.
In the spring, Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Quepos. Typically, the spring temperatures in Fortaleza in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Quepos averages at about 29°C (85°F)in April.
In Quepos, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Fortaleza. In the spring, Fortaleza often gets more sunshine than Queposin April. Fortaleza gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 255 hours of full sun.
Fortaleza usually gets less rain in October than Queposin April. Fortaleza gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilFortaleza 28°C (82°F)Quepos 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Quepos and Fortaleza
| Fortaleza | Quepos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 356 mm (14 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (80°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.