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

Should you visit Ghent 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 Ghent 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.

Ghent

Ghent is a high energy, cultural, and historic city. Ghent is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Ghent travel costs.

Quepos

Quepos is a local, laid-back, and relaxed town. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Quepos travel costs.

Ghent and Quepos: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Quepos?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Ghent than Quepos, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Ghent is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Quepos is more popular for its resorts and beaches. Ghent is well known for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets Also, Ghent is famous for The Fortress of Gravensteen. Quepos is well known for its big game sport fishing.

How is Ghent different from Quepos?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ghent 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 Ghent specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.

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 Ghent or Quepos? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Ghent has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.

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 Ghent or Quepos Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

People head to Ghent just to party. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.

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 Ghent or Quepos Better for Resorts?

Quepos is a moderate town for its resorts. However, Ghent is not a resort destination.

Quepos has a few resort options worth checking out. 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.

Ghent is not a resort destination.

Is Ghent or Quepos Better for Beaches?

Quepos is a good destination for its beaches. However, Ghent 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.

Ghent is not a beach destination.

Is Ghent or Quepos Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Quepos does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Quepos does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Quepos?

Ghent 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 Ghent. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.

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

Is Ghent or Quepos More Beautiful?

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

Ghent is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. With its medieval architecture and beautiful waterfront areas, the city has a lot to offer.

Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ghent or Quepos Better for Families?

Quepos is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Quepos is 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.

Ghent is a family-friendly city. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.

Is Ghent or Quepos Better for Couples?

Quepos is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Ghent makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

Is Ghent or Quepos Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Quepos is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Quepos is a mecca for backpackers and 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.

Is Ghent or Quepos Better for Students?

Ghent is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Quepos is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Ghent. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

Quepos is not popular with students.

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

Ghent is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Ghent can get you around easily. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

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 Ghent or Quepos a more walkable city?

Ghent 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.

Ghent is a very walkable destination. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Quepos or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Quepos?

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

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

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

One day in Ghent or Quepos?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ghent. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Quepos, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this local destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Ghent or Quepos?

Ghent is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Quepos. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Ghent or Quepos?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ghent. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. 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.

Quepos is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Quepos. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Ghent or Quepos?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated destination of Ghent. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the relaxed destination of Quepos. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Belgium, The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.

When comparing the travel costs between Ghent and Quepos, we can see that Ghent 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 Ghent 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 Ghent Expensive? and Is Quepos Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Quepos?

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

Ghent 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 Ghent or Quepos in the Summer?

Both Quepos and Ghent during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.

In July, Ghent is generally much colder than Quepos. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 17°C (63°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Ghent. In the summer, Ghent often gets more sunshine than Quepos. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 164 hours of full sun.

Quepos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ghent usually gets less rain in July than Quepos. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Quepos in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Quepos. Many visitors come to Ghent in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Ghent is much colder than Quepos in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Quepos during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Quepos receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Ghent usually receives less rain than Quepos. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 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. The hurricane season in Quepos is May to November.

Should I visit Ghent or Quepos in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Quepos. Most visitors come to Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.

Ghent can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Ghent is much colder than Quepos. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ghent in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Quepos averages at about 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Quepos. In the winter, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Quepos. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in January than Quepos. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Quepos in the Spring?

Both Quepos and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Ghent because of the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Ghent is generally much colder than Quepos. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 8°C (47°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

It's quite sunny in Quepos. Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Quepos during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ghent usually receives more rain than Quepos. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 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. May to November is the hurricane season in Quepos.

Typical Weather for Quepos and Ghent