Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Quepos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Quepos or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Quepos and Cuenca can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Quepos or Cuenca?
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.
Cuenca
Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQuepos $117Cuenca $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Quepos is $117, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $42. 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 Quepos and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQuepos $77Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQuepos $154Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Quepos and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Quepos or Cuenca? 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: Quepos Hotel Prices and Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Quepos $9.56Cuenca $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos
Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Manuel Antonio & Quepos one way transfer to SJO hotels - Airport up to 5 people.: $274
- One-Way Private Transfer from Quepos - Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $276
- One-Way Private Transfer from Uvita to Quepos - Manuel Antonio: $140
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Manuel Antonio/Quepos : $300
- Private Transfer From San Jose Airport To Manuel Antonio Beach: $125
- Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Nauyaca Waterfalls (Round Trip): $199
- Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to San Jose City Hotels: $91
- Private transfer from SJ Airport to Manuel Antonio and vice versa: $230
- Shuttle Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San Jose: $60
- Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport and surroundings : $209
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
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Taxi Ride$2.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Cuenca: $47
- Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.: $104
Is it cheaper to fly into Quepos or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca and Quepos 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 dayQuepos $30Cuenca $15
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
Typical Food Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:
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Lunch$10
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Snacks$5.00
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Empanada$1.50
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Hot Dog$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cuenca.
- Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
- Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
- Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour from Cuenca): $112
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Quepos $17Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Quepos
For Quepos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Beach Day Experience in Manuel Antonio: $20
- Manuel Antonio National Park tour : $27
- Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour: $28
- Manuel Antonio National Park Tour: $28
- Manuel Antonio Park Tour and its Amazing Wildlife and Beaches: $30
- Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour: $30
- Manuel Antonio National Park Group Guided Tour: $30
- Guided Tour in Manuel Antonio National Park!: $35
- Manuel Antonio Jungle Night Tour with pick up included: $39
- Guided hiking Tour by the Mystic Ebano Rainforest in Costa Rica: $40
- Manuel Antonio: Manuel Antonio National Park Tour: $45
- Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour: $45
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $48
- Azuay: San Bartolomé, Gualaceo, and Chordeleg Artisanal Tour: $63
- Biking Cuenca City Tour: $50
- Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
- Birdwatching Tour in Giron and Yunguilla Jocotoco Reserve from Cuenca: $150
- Birdwatching Tour, Via Gualaceo to the Eastern slope from Cuenca: $130
- Cañari Bike Tour: $96
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $49
- Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $49
- Cajas National Park and Cuenca City private Tour: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQuepos $15Cuenca $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quepos and Cuenca, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Quepos is in Central America and Cuenca is in South 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 Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca 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 Cuenca.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Quepos Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Quepos or Cuenca?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Quepos and Cuenca, 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 Quepos or Cuenca?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Quepos or Cuenca in the Summer?
Both Cuenca and Quepos during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Quepos. Quepos usually gets more rain in July than Cuenca. Quepos gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Quepos is generally a little warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 28°C (82°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyQuepos 28°C (82°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Cuenca in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Quepos and Cuenca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Quepos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Quepos usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Quepos gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Quepos is much warmer than Cuenca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Quepos averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Cuenca fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberQuepos 27°C (81°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Cuenca in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Quepos as well as Cuenca. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Quepos usually gets less rain in January than Cuenca. Quepos gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite cold in Cuenca in the winter. In the winter, Quepos is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Quepos in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Cuenca averages at about 4°C (39°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryQuepos 27°C (81°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Cuenca in the Spring?
Both Cuenca and Quepos are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Quepos usually receives less rain than Cuenca. Quepos gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Quepos is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 29°C (85°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilQuepos 29°C (85°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Quepos
| Quepos | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.