Which place is cheaper, Huaraz or Quepos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Quepos or Huaraz?
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 Huaraz can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Quepos or Huaraz?
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.
Huaraz
Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQuepos $117Huaraz $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Quepos is $117, while the average daily cost in Huaraz is $50. 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 Huaraz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQuepos $77Huaraz $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQuepos $154Huaraz $40
Compare Hotels in Quepos and Huaraz
Looking for a hotel in Quepos or Huaraz? 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 Huaraz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Quepos $9.56Huaraz $10
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 Huaraz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.17
Is it cheaper to fly into Quepos or Huaraz?
Prices for flights to both Huaraz 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 $30Huaraz $18
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 Huaraz
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:
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Lunch$5.97
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Chips$1.49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Quepos $17Huaraz $19
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz
Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Climbing Gear$17
Tours and Activities in Huaraz
Here are a few actual costs in Huaraz for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-day tour to Parón, Llanganuco and Laguna 69 from Huaraz: $150
- 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
- Ancash: Adventure and Climbing to Mountain Alpamayo |6D-5N|: $3,303
- Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
- Ancash: Trek and Adventure to Quillcayhuanca |3Days-2Nights|: $410
- From Ancash: Fantastic tour Huaraz/Nevado Pastoruri |4D-3N|: $192
- From Ancash: Huaraz Adventure with meals |3Days-2Nights|: $142
- From Ancash: Tour Huaraz with Puya Raymondi |4Days-3Nights|: $197
- From Ancash: Tour fantastic in Huaraz |2Days-1Night|: $92
- From Ancash: Tour in Huaraz with tickets and Hotel |5D-4N|: $250
- From Huaraz | Live an adventure between mountains and lakes: $214
- From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQuepos $15Huaraz $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quepos and Huaraz, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Quepos is in Central America and Huaraz 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 Huaraz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huaraz 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 Huaraz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Quepos Expensive? and Is Huaraz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Quepos or Huaraz?
Huaraz has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Quepos and Huaraz, 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 Huaraz?
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 Huaraz in the Summer?
Both Huaraz 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 Huaraz year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Quepos. Quepos usually gets more rain in July than Huaraz. Quepos gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite cold in Huaraz in the summer. In the summer, Quepos is much warmer than Huaraz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Quepos in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Huaraz averages at about 3°C (37°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyQuepos 28°C (82°F)Huaraz 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Huaraz in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Quepos and Huaraz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round. Huaraz 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 Huaraz. Quepos gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Huaraz. In October, Quepos is generally much warmer than Huaraz. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 27°C (81°F), and Huaraz fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberQuepos 27°C (81°F)Huaraz 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Huaraz in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Quepos as well as Huaraz. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Huaraz. Quepos usually gets less rain in January than Huaraz. Quepos gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Quepos is much warmer than Huaraz in the winter. The daily temperature in Quepos averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Huaraz fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryQuepos 27°C (81°F)Huaraz 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Huaraz in the Spring?
Both Huaraz 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 Huaraz because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Quepos usually receives less rain than Huaraz. Quepos gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Quepos is much warmer than Huaraz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Quepos in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Huaraz averages at about 6°C (43°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilQuepos 29°C (85°F)Huaraz 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Huaraz and Quepos
| Quepos | Huaraz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 112 mm (4.4 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.