Which place is cheaper, Quepos or Hofn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Hofn or Quepos?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hofn or Quepos, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Hofn or Quepos?
Hofn
Hofn is a very small fishing town on the southeast of Iceland, measuring just over half a mile across. It is best known for being located in the beautiful Vatnajokull Region, where the largest glacier in Europe is located. Hofn, and the surrounding area, is full of breathtaking natural scenery including lagoons, icefalls, and mountains.
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 Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland, The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.
-
Hofn Prices
Iceland PricesQuepos Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHofn $207Quepos $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Hofn is $207, while the average daily cost in Quepos is $139. 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 Hofn and Quepos in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHofn $113Quepos $76
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHofn $226Quepos $152
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Quepos
Looking for a hotel in Hofn 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: Hofn Hotel Prices and Quepos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hofn $31Quepos $9.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos
Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport and surroundings : $229
- Private One Way Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San José (Airport SJO): $220
- Private Transfer: SJO Airport to Manuel Antonio with Scenic Stop.: $203
- Private Transfer: SJO Airport to/from Manuel Antonio (One Way): $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or Quepos?
Prices for flights to both Quepos and Hofn 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
-
Food Meals for one dayHofn $73Quepos $51
Typical Food Prices in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch$15
-
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:
- Cooking Class in Manuel Antonio with Medicinal Plants Garden Visit: $77
- Cooking Class & Medicinal Plants Garden Manuel Antonio: $77
- Night Mangrove Safari Boat Tour with Dinner | Manuel Antonio: $79
- Local Flavor Cooking Experience: $81
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hofn $20Quepos $17
Tours and Activities in Hofn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.
- 3 Hours Blue Ice Experience in Vatnajokull : $214
- Crystal Ice Cave Adventure : $203
- Crystal Ice Cave Tour from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: $182
- Frozen Wonders : Small Group Ice Cave Tour: $200
- Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $157
- Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $170
- Sindri’s Ice Cave Photography Tour: A Local’s Perspective: $215
- The Orignal Ice Cave Tour in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: $164
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: $158
- 2-3-Hour Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour: $28
- 2-Hour Kayak Tour in Quepos Mangroves – See Monkeys & Sloths: $65
- ATV Tour Half Day Trip From Manuel Antonio: $93
- All Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure from Manuel Antonio: $88
- All-Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure with Lunch: $93
- All-Inclusive Full day Waterfall Adventure: $117
- All-Inclusive Jungle Night Tour: $59
- Canopy Tour From Manuel Antonio: $121
- Catamaran Adventure From Manuel Antonio: $121
- Catamaran Cruise from Manuel Antonio with Snorkeling: $98
- Chocolate Experience, Waterfall and Cultural Lunch in local home.: $135
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHofn $13Quepos $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hofn and Quepos, we can see that Hofn is more expensive. And not only is Quepos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hofn 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 Hofn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hofn 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 Hofn Expensive? and Is Quepos Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hofn or Quepos?
Quepos has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn 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 Hofn or Quepos?
Hofn 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 Hofn or Quepos in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Quepos. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Hofn is much colder than Quepos. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hofn in July average around 9°C (48°F), and Quepos averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Quepos receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Hofn usually receives less rain than Quepos. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyHofn 9°C (48°F)Quepos 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Quepos in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Quepos. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.
The weather in Hofn can be very cold. In October, Hofn is generally much colder than Quepos. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 4°C (40°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in Quepos. Hofn receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hofn usually gets less rain in October than Quepos. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 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, May to November in Quepos is the hurricane season.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHofn 4°C (40°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Quepos in the Winter?
Both Quepos and Hofn 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.
It's quite cold in Hofn in the winter. Hofn is much colder than Quepos in the winter. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in Hofn. In January, Hofn usually receives more rain than Quepos. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHofn -0°C (31°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hofn or Quepos in the Spring?
Both Quepos and Hofn during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. In the spring, Hofn is much colder than Quepos. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hofn in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Quepos averages at about 29°C (85°F).
Hofn usually gets more rain in April than Quepos. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 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. Also, the hurricane season in Quepos is May to November.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilHofn 2°C (36°F)Quepos 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Quepos and Hofn
| Hofn | Quepos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 0°C (32°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 5°C (40°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (40°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (34°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 124 mm (4.9 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.