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

Should you visit Ilha Grande or Quepos?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Ilha Grande or Quepos? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Ilha Grande travel costs.

Quepos

Quepos is a laid-back, relaxed, and local town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping. See Quepos travel costs.

Ilha Grande and Quepos: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ilha Grande or Quepos?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Quepos. Although Ilha Grande and Quepos are both popular with visitors, Quepos has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Quepos is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Ilha Grande is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling and impressive beauty. Quepos is more touristy than Ilha Grande and is known for its big game sport fishing. It is also home to Manuel Antonio National Park. Ilha Grande is popular for

How is Ilha Grande different from Quepos?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ilha Grande or Quepos?

Quepos is not a good area for its museums and history. However, Ilha Grande does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Quepos. You won't find much as far as museums go around town.

Ilha Grande does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Ilha Grande or Quepos? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Ilha Grande and Quepos offer a number of good restaurants to choose from.

Ilha Grande has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The island still has a quiet, local vibe and that can be seen in the restaurants around town as well. Many places are locally owned and serve up traditional dishes. In particular, the seafood is excellent.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Quepos area. 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 Ilha Grande or Quepos Better for Nightlife?

Quepos is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Ilha Grande is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Quepos. You'll find a few bars and clubs around town, but it is a small town and the selection can be limited.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Ilha Grande. It's a quiet island with a national park and most people visit specifically to get away from the busy and active city scene.

Is Ilha Grande or Quepos Better for Resorts?

Quepos is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Ilha Grande 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.

Ilha Grande is not a resort destination.

Is Ilha Grande or Quepos Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Ilha Grande is a very popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Quepos is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Ilha Grande. There are several places where you can rent snorkeling or dive equipment. The area has coral and tropical fish, with the occasional sea turtle sighting. The visibility is generally good and the experience is worth enjoying, but make sure you check on water conditions.

Quepos is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ilha Grande or Quepos Better for Beaches?

Quepos is a popular place for the beach. However, Ilha Grande is not a beach destination.

Quepos is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Ilha Grande is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ilha Grande or Quepos?

Quepos is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Ilha Grande is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Quepos. You'll find boutique shops around town that sell everything from clothing to art.

Ilha Grande is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ilha Grande or Quepos More Beautiful?

Ilha Grande is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

Ilha Grande offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The secluded beaches and surrounding nature make this a beautiful island to explore. It's made up of a national park and there are hiking trails and many scenic spots.

Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ilha Grande or Quepos Better for Families?

Quepos is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ilha Grande is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Quepos is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ilha Grande. Most families who visit the island come for the beaches. There are also many nice hikes, waterfalls, and even wildlife that the kids will enjoy. In the village there are a few restaurants. Many aren't geared specifically to kids, but they do have a selection that kids might enjoy.

Is Ilha Grande or Quepos Better for Couples?

Quepos is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Ilha Grande is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Quepos makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Couples visit Ilha Grande frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Scenic beaches and beautiful nature make this a wonderful couples retreat that's not far from Rio de Janeiro. The beaches have a more relaxed and quiet vibe than many places in Brazil and the island still holds on to its undiscovered atmosphere.

Is Ilha Grande or Quepos Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Quepos is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Ilha Grande is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Quepos is extremely popular for backpackers. 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.

Ilha Grande is a very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. It is possible to reach the island with a backpacker's budget, but it will take you more time than if you hire a private tour. Once you're on the island there are some hostels and budget hotels to choose from as well.

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

Quepos is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Ilha Grande is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Ilha Grande. You'll need to take a boat to reach the island, and once you're there, there are not vehicles around.

Is Ilha Grande or Quepos a more walkable city?

Ilha Grande 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.

Ilha Grande is a very walkable destination. There are no cars on the island and very few roads. You'll spend a lot of time hiking around, which is the best way to enjoy the island. They don't call it "big island" for no reason though, so make sure you understand the distance between destinations.

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

Should I spend more time in Quepos or Ilha Grande?

How long in Ilha Grande or Quepos?

It's fun to spend time in either Ilha Grande or Quepos. In our opinion, Quepos has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Quepos than Ilha Grande. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Quepos than Ilha Grande. 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 Ilha Grande. 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 Ilha Grande 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 Ilha Grande or Quepos?

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Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food when visiting the destination of Ilha Grande. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxed town of Quepos. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Ilha Grande or Quepos?

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Ilha Grande 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the local destination of Quepos. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Ilha Grande or Quepos?

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

The local town of Quepos offers shopping and nightlife. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Ilha Grande or Quepos?

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Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Ilha Grande. This offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Quepos. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in 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 Ilha Grande and Quepos, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is Ilha Grande much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ilha Grande 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 Ilha Grande would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ilha Grande 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 Ilha Grande.

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