A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lombok vs. Quepos for Beaches, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Lombok 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 Lombok 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.

Lombok

Lombok is a peaceful, laid back, and cultural island. Lombok is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Lombok travel costs.

Quepos

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

Lombok and Quepos: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lombok or Quepos?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lombok. Although Lombok and Quepos are both popular with visitors, Lombok has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lombok is more touristy than Quepos and is known for its striking natural beauty, pristine beaches, and local culture. It is also home to Mount Rinjani. Quepos is popular for its big game sport fishing.

How is Lombok different from Quepos?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lombok is very good for its museums and history. However, Quepos is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Lombok. The island has many traditional villages that let you glimpse the fascinating Sasak Tribe's culture. This is the largest tribe on the island and it makes up about 85% of the island's population. Sasak Sade Village is large and popular to visit. A visit offers a unique experience and helps you understand more about the island's culture.

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 Lombok or Quepos? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Lombok has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The island is considered world renowned for its Halal cuisine, and there are many popular local dishes that you should try. Ayam Taliwang is a grilled chicken dish, Satay Rembiga is grilled meat served over rice, and Bebalung is a soup that's made with goat or cow ribs.

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 Lombok or Quepos Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Lombok and Quepos.

If you're looking for night time activities Lombok has a few options to choose from. While the island is quieter than nearby Bali, it does still have an active nightlife scene. In particular, head to the areas around Senggigi Beach and Kuta Lombok for the most active bars and live music. With the more populated tourist areas and hotels come the more active clubs, bars, and evening entertainment.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Quepos. You'll find a few bars and clubs around town, but it is a small town and the selection can be limited.

Is Lombok or Quepos Better for Resorts?

Lombok is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Quepos is lacking in good options for its resorts.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Lombok. The island is filled with luxury resorts, villas, and hotels. You'll want to think about your priorities before booking your hotel. There areas that are better for beaches, hiking, culture or sightseeing, and each has its own personality and style.

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.

Is Lombok or Quepos Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lombok is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Quepos is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Lombok is not to be missed. The island is surrounded by clear waters and colorful coral, making it a superb snorkeling and diving destination. For some of the best dive spots head to the Gili Islands. Around the island you'll find places where you can see turtles, colorful fish, and possibly even Hammerhead Sharks.

Quepos is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lombok or Quepos Better for Beaches?

Lombok is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

With world-famous beaches, Lombok is a very popular vacation destination. Kuta, Senggigi, and the Gili Islands offer some of the area's best beaches. Many beaches have white sand, clear water, beautiful snorkeling, or fun surfing. Mawun Beach and Pandanan Beach are among the most beautiful beaches, while Selong Belanak Beach is very photogenic with its water buffalo. Tanjung Aan Beach has surfing and Kuta Beach Lombok is the most popular beach, but not among the best.

Quepos has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Is Lombok or Quepos Better for Hiking?

Lombok 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 Lombok. There are many walking and hiking trails around the island, but the most well known is the three day hike to the peak of Mount Rinjani. This is the large and active volcano on the island. The hike is truly beautiful and spectacular, but it's also a challenging climb and the difficulty level should not be underestimated.

Quepos is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lombok or Quepos?

Lombok 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 Lombok. There are many traditional markets and villages around the island where you can buy Sasak crafts. These items are characterized by bright colors and elaborate patterns. You'll find pottery, fabrics, clothing, and hand-woven baskets.

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

Is Lombok or Quepos More Beautiful?

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

Lombok is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The island is filled with stunning beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and colorful marine environments.

Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Lombok or Quepos Better for Families?

Both Lombok and Quepos are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Lombok is very family-friendly. The island is filled with natural beauty, waterfalls, beaches, swimming spots, traditional villages and wildlife. This makes it an idyllic destination for families, whether you're traveling with toddlers or older kids.

Quepos is known to be 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.

Is Lombok or Quepos Better for Couples?

Lombok and Quepos both first-rate destinations for a couple.

Lombok is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The island has grown into a world renowned honeymoon destination. It has a more laid back vibe than nearby Bali, and you'll find pristine beaches and a tropical paradise. There are luxury hotels, stunning natural settings, and plenty of romantic or adventurous activities.

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.

Is Lombok or Quepos Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Lombok and Quepos are first-rate places to visit.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Lombok is extremely popular for backpackers. This island is often compared to Bali 30 years ago. It's a much quieter island, but there are still bars and towns that attract a crowd. If you're looking for a party, then you'll likely still be able to find one, but if you want a laid back retreat, that's available as well.

Quepos is a very popular island to visit 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.

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

Quepos is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Lombok is not a good destination for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in Lombok. The island is spread out, so many visitors prefer to hire a car of motorbike. There are also public buses, minibuses, and taxis available.

Is Lombok or Quepos a more walkable city?

Quepos is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Lombok is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

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

Lombok is generally not very walkable. There are towns on the island that are relatively walkable and there are hiking and walking paths in different places.

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

Should I spend more time in Quepos or Lombok?

How long in Lombok or Quepos?

It's fun to spend time in either Lombok or Quepos. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lombok due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 10-14 days is a good amount of time for Lombok, and 2-4 days is enough time in Quepos.

Families should spend more time in Lombok than Quepos. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lombok, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

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

One day in Lombok or Quepos?

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

A weekend in Lombok or Quepos?

Lombok 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.

Quepos 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.

Five days in Lombok or Quepos?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lombok. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With so much to do, five days is probably not enough time to see everything. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

A week in Lombok or Quepos?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural destination of Lombok. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One week is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty 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. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, 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 Lombok and Quepos, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is Lombok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lombok is in Asia 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 Lombok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lombok 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 Lombok.

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

When is the best time to visit Lombok or Quepos?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Lombok or Quepos in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Quepos. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

May to September in Lombok is the dry season. Quepos receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Lombok usually receives less rain than Quepos. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In the summer, Lombok is around the same temperature as Quepos. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lombok in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Quepos averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Lombok or Quepos in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Quepos. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.

November to April in Lombok is the rainy season. Also, December to April in Quepos is the dry season. Also, May to November in Quepos is the hurricane season. It's quite rainy in Quepos. Lombok receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lombok usually gets less rain in October than Quepos. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.

In October, Lombok is generally around the same temperature as Quepos. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Lombok or Quepos in the Winter?

Both Quepos and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Lombok usually receives more rain than Quepos. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Quepos. Lombok usually receives less sunshine than Quepos during winter. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

Lombok is around the same temperature as Quepos in the winter. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Lombok or Quepos in the Spring?

Both Quepos and Lombok during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.

May to September is the dry season in Lombok. November to April is the rainy season in Lombok. December to April is the dry season in Quepos. Also, the hurricane season in Quepos is May to November. Lombok usually gets more rain in April than Quepos. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the spring, Lombok is around the same temperature as Quepos. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lombok in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Quepos averages at about 29°C (85°F).

Typical Weather for Quepos and Lombok