Which place is cheaper, Quepos or Montevideo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montevideo 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 Montevideo 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.
Where Should I go: Montevideo or Quepos?
Montevideo
As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $63Quepos $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $63, while the average daily cost in Quepos is $117. 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 Montevideo and Quepos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontevideo $39Quepos $77
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $78Quepos $154
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Quepos
Looking for a hotel in Montevideo 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: Montevideo Hotel Prices and Quepos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $7.32Quepos $9.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo City: $21
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $12
- TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $80
- Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $120
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport MVD: $72
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $26
- Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport MVD to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer - Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Punta Del Este Port: $85
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
- Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos
Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Manuel Antonio/Quepos : $300
- One-Way Private Transfer from Quepos - Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $276
- Manuel Antonio & Quepos one way transfer to SJO hotels - Airport up to 5 people.: $274
- Private transfer from SJ Airport to Manuel Antonio and vice versa: $230
- Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport and surroundings : $209
- Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Nauyaca Waterfalls (Round Trip): $199
- One-Way Private Transfer from Uvita to Quepos - Manuel Antonio: $140
- Private Transfer From San Jose Airport To Manuel Antonio Beach: $125
- Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to San Jose City Hotels: $91
- Shuttle Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San Jose: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Quepos?
Prices for flights to both Quepos and Montevideo 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
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Food Meals for one dayMontevideo $13Quepos $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
- El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango & Folklore in Montevideo: $98
Typical Food Prices in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$15
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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:
- Night Jungle Tour with Dinner (Rainmaker Park): $59
- 3 Hour Cooking Class and Medical Plants Garden: $77
- Cooking Class & Medicinal Plants Garden Manuel Antonio: $77
- Night Mangrove Safari Boat Tour with Dinner | Manuel Antonio: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montevideo $21Quepos $17
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
- Colonia del Sacramento - Regular Tour: $65
- Private Tour to Tourist Places in Montevideo: $260
- Best Private & Personalized Tour of Montevideo: $200
- Best Private Montevideo Shore Excursion: City Tour. Optional WineTasting Tour.: $165
- Best Private Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $250
- Best Shared Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $110
- Best Shared Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers : $110
- Best custom Montevideo Private Tour in Electric SUV! (BMW Option): $120
- City Tour of Montevideo: $40
- City Tour, the best option for small groups: $160
- Discover Mix of Sightseeing & City Attractions!: $140
- From Cabo Polonio - Full Day Private Tour: $950
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: $130
- 2-Hour Boat Tour in Quepos: $55
- ATV Tour Half Day Trip From Manuel Antonio: $90
- All Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure from Manuel Antonio: $83
- All-Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure with Lunch: $93
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Nauyaca Waterfall and Beach Town Tour: $142
- Beach Day Experience in Manuel Antonio: $20
- Birding at El Rey. (Marshes,rice fields,canals) Private Birding Tour : $120
- Birdwatching Tour: $130
- Catamaran Adventure From Manuel Antonio: $116
- Chocolate Tour Manuel Antonio: $60
- Chocolate and Coffee Tour Manuel Antonio: $62
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontevideo -Quepos $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:
- Half Day Tour at Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $120
- Juanico Wine Tour Lunch: $132
- Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
- Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Quepos, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is Montevideo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montevideo 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 Montevideo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montevideo 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 Montevideo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montevideo Expensive? and Is Quepos Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Quepos?
Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo 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 Montevideo or Quepos?
Montevideo 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 Montevideo or Quepos in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montevideo and Quepos. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Montevideo is cooler than Quepos in the summer. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Quepos fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.
In Montevideo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montevideo usually receives more sunshine than Quepos during summer. Montevideo gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
Quepos receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Montevideo usually receives less rain than Queposin July. Montevideo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyMontevideo 24°C (75°F)Quepos 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or Quepos in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montevideo as well as Quepos. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.
In the autumn, Montevideo is much colder than Quepos. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montevideo in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Quepos averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.
In the autumn, Montevideo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Queposin October. Montevideo gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Quepos. Montevideo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montevideo usually gets less rain in April than Queposin October. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberMontevideo 17°C (63°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or Quepos in the Winter?
Both Quepos and Montevideo 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.
In July, Montevideo is generally much colder than Queposin January. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 11°C (52°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Quepos. Montevideo usually receives less sunshine than Quepos during winter. Montevideo gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Montevideo usually receives more rain than Queposin January. Montevideo gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMontevideo 11°C (52°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or Quepos in the Spring?
Both Quepos and Montevideo during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.
Montevideo is much colder than Quepos in the spring. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Quepos fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in April.
In Quepos, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montevideo. In the spring, Montevideo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Queposin April. Montevideo gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 255 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Montevideo. Montevideo usually gets more rain in October than Queposin April. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilMontevideo 17°C (63°F)Quepos 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Quepos and Montevideo
| Montevideo | Quepos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.