A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Foz do Iguacu vs. Quepos for Couples, Backpackers, Families, and Food

Should you visit Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu 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.

Foz do Iguacu

Foz do Iguacu is a spectacular, scenic, and breathtaking park. With stunning beauty, Foz do Iguacu attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping. See Foz do Iguacu 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.

Foz do Iguacu and Quepos: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Foz do Iguacu or Quepos?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Foz do Iguacu. Although Foz do Iguacu and Quepos are both popular with visitors, Foz do Iguacu has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Foz do Iguacu is more popular for its museums and attractions, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Quepos is known for its resorts and beaches. Foz do Iguacu is more touristy than Quepos and is popular for its spectacular beauty and incredible volume of water. It is also home to Iguacu National Park. Quepos is popular for its big game sport fishing.

How is Foz do Iguacu different from Quepos?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Foz do Iguacu or Quepos?

Foz do Iguacu is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Quepos is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Foz do Iguacu specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a handful of museums and nature parks in and near town.

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 Foz do Iguacu or Quepos? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Foz do Iguacu and Quepos.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Foz do Iguacu. You'll find a variety of restaurants around town where you can sample the regional cuisine. A popular item on the menus is Surubí (a local river fish). Also make sure you try the Mbeyú (fried bread), and paraguayan soup (more like bread than an actual soup).

Quepos is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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 Foz do Iguacu or Quepos Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Foz do Iguacu or Quepos has a better nightlife scene.

Foz do Iguacu has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head to the intersection of Avenida JK and Avenida Jorge Schimmelpfeng for the most lively nightlife scene in town. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of restaurants and bars, many with outdoor areas or live music.

If you're looking for night time activities Quepos has a few options to choose from. You'll find a few bars and clubs around town, but it is a small town and the selection can be limited.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Quepos Better for Resorts?

Quepos is a town with a few options for its resorts. However, Foz do Iguacu 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.

Foz do Iguacu is not a resort destination.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Quepos Better for Beaches?

Quepos is a town with good options for the beach. However, Foz do Iguacu 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.

Foz do Iguacu is not a beach destination.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Quepos Better for Hiking?

Foz do Iguacu is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Quepos is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Foz do Iguacu. There's a network of trails and walkways at the foot of the falls as well as above the falls. You can also venture into the surrounding rainforest or hike to Devil's Throat for a great view.

Quepos is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Foz do Iguacu or Quepos?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Quepos and Foz do Iguacu.

Foz do Iguacu offers some nice shopping areas. There's shopping in the center of town, particularly around Avenida Brasil, Rua Barbosa, Rua Almirante Barroso, and Quintino Bocaiuva.

Quepos has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find boutique shops around town that sell everything from clothing to art.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Quepos More Beautiful?

Foz do Iguacu is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Foz do Iguacu attracts visitors from all around. The falls is absolutely breathtaking. The volume of water and enormity in size is something that you can only experience in person.

Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Quepos Better for Families?

Both Foz do Iguacu and Quepos are superb to visit with kids.

Foz do Iguacu is a very kid-friendly park. Of course, the highlight for everyone is a visit to Iguacu National Park, which also offers boat rides, hiking, and spectacular views. In addition to this impressive park, the whole family will also enjoy a visit to Parque das Aves, which is a bird park that includes information on wildlife species and conservation.

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.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Quepos Better for Couples?

Quepos is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Foz do Iguacu is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Foz do Iguacu is a great park if you're traveling as a couple. While the town itself has limited entertainment, the waterfalls is a spectacular sight that has inspired more than a few marriage proposals.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Quepos Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Quepos is terrific for backpackers. Also, Foz do Iguacu 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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Foz do Iguacu. This is one of the country's most popular backpacker destinations so you'll find plenty of hostels and young travelers to hang out with. The falls itself is truly incredible and well worth the trip.

Is Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu and Quepos.

You'll find some public transit in Foz do Iguacu, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. It's 12 miles between the park and the town so you'll need to take either a taxi or a public bus. On your way to the park, you should arrange for a ride back because finding a taxi as you leave can be challenging.

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 Foz do Iguacu or Quepos a more walkable city?

Quepos is a town with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Foz do Iguacu is a park with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

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

Foz do Iguacu is generally not a very walkable park. There are walkways near the waterfalls, but the city isn't particularly walkable and you'll need transportation to travel between the park and the town.

For even more information, also check out Is Foz do Iguacu Worth Visiting? and Is Quepos Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Quepos or Foz do Iguacu?

How long in Foz do Iguacu or Quepos?

It's fun to spend time in either Foz do Iguacu or Quepos. In our opinion, Quepos has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Quepos than Foz do Iguacu. In general, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Foz do Iguacu, and 2-4 days is enough time in Quepos.

Families should spend more time in Quepos than Foz do Iguacu. 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 Foz do Iguacu. 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 Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu or Quepos?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Foz do Iguacu. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the laid-back destination of Quepos. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Foz do Iguacu or Quepos?

Foz do Iguacu 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Quepos. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Foz do Iguacu or Quepos?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Foz do Iguacu. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the local destination of Quepos. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Foz do Iguacu or Quepos?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the spectacular destination of Foz do Iguacu. This park offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the town of Quepos. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Foz do Iguacu and Quepos, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is Foz do Iguacu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu.

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

Which is Bigger, Foz do Iguacu or Quepos?

Foz do Iguacu has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu or Quepos?

Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu or Quepos in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Foz do Iguacu as well as Quepos. Many visitors come to Foz do Iguacu in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.

In the summer, Foz do Iguacu is around the same temperature as Quepos. Typically, the summer temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Quepos averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Quepos. Foz do Iguacu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Foz do Iguacu usually gets less rain in January than Queposin July. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Quepos in the Autumn?

Both Quepos and Foz do Iguacu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Foz do Iguacu for the hiking trails, 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 April, Foz do Iguacu is generally cooler than Queposin October. Daily temperatures in Foz do Iguacu average around 23°C (73°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Quepos. In April, Foz do Iguacu usually receives less rain than Queposin October. Foz do Iguacu gets 90 mm (3.5 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 Foz do Iguacu or Quepos in the Winter?

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

Foz do Iguacu is much colder than Quepos in the winter. The daily temperature in Foz do Iguacu averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.

Foz do Iguacu usually gets more rain in July than Queposin January. Foz do Iguacu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Quepos in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Foz do Iguacu is cooler than Quepos. Typically, the spring temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Quepos averages at about 29°C (85°F)in April.

Foz do Iguacu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Foz do Iguacu usually receives more rain than Queposin April. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 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 Foz do Iguacu