A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Quepos vs. Key Largo for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Resorts

Should you visit Quepos or Key Largo?

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 Key Largo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Quepos

Quepos is a relaxed, local, and laid-back town. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Quepos travel costs.

Key Largo

Key Largo is a relaxed, peaceful, and family-friendly island. As it is a quaint destination, it has a nice vibe. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches. See Key Largo travel costs.

Quepos and Key Largo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Quepos or Key Largo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Quepos. Although Quepos and Key Largo are popular destinations, Quepos has more sights and attractions for tourists. Quepos is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Key Largo attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and quaint atmosphere. Key Largo is more touristy than Quepos and is known for its snorkeling and scuba diving including that around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the artificial reef around the USS Spiegel Grove. Quepos is famous for its big game sport fishing. It is also well known for Manuel Antonio National Park.

How is Quepos different from Key Largo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Quepos or Key Largo?

Quepos is mediocre for its historical sights. However, Key Largo 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.

Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Quepos or Key Largo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Quepos is a town with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Quepos is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Key Largo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known for its Key Lime pie and seafood. You'll find a great selection of restaurants that serve seafood dishes and options for the land-loving crew. There are even a few international restaurants to choose from.

Is Quepos or Key Largo Better for Nightlife?

Quepos is a town with good options for its evening party scene. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Quepos has a few options to choose from. You'll find a few bars and clubs around town, but it is a small town and the selection can be limited.

Most people don't head to Key Largo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. This area is not known for its nightlife, so you'll need to head further south if partying is your style.

Is Quepos or Key Largo Better for Resorts?

Key Largo 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 Key Largo. Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.

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 Quepos or Key Largo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key Largo 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 Key Largo. Near this island you'll find some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Florida Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are private tours that head out to the reef for either snorkeling or diving. There are also shipwrecks and other fascinating spots to explore.

Quepos is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Quepos or Key Largo Better for Beaches?

Quepos and Key Largo are nice choices for a beach vacation.

Many people head to Quepos to enjoy the beach. 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.

Key Largo has a beach worth visiting. Many of the beaches around Key Largo are man-made, but they do offer nice sand and beautiful blue water. The water is turquoise, although not as striking as further south.

Is the Shopping Better in Quepos or Key Largo?

Quepos is a town with good options for its shopping areas. However, Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Quepos has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find boutique shops around town that sell everything from clothing to art.

Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Quepos or Key Largo Better for Families?

Key Largo is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Key Largo is one of the most popular family destinations. This area has some of the best family-friendly snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There's also several places where your kids can interact with dolphins or experience wildlife. If you want to get out on the water, there's kayaking, sunset cruises, and glass bottom boats, all of which are great for the whole family.

Quepos is 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 Quepos or Key Largo Better for Couples?

Quepos is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Key Largo is not as popular, but is still a nice island for romance.

Quepos is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Key Largo is a nice destination for couples. Most couples head further down the Florida Keys, but for snorkeling and scuba diving, Key Largo is the better option. You'll also find kayaking and sunset cruises that leave from the area.

Is Quepos or Key Largo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Quepos is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Quepos, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. 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.

Key Largo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This area is a bit more affordable than the more southern keys so it appeals to budget travelers and backpackers.

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

Quepos is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Key Largo 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 limited or non-existant in Key Largo. There's no real public transit around the island and you must have a car to get around.

Is Quepos or Key Largo a more walkable city?

Quepos is a town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its walkability.

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

Key Largo is not a walkable town. It is a sprawling area that spreads out along a main highway that is not pedestrian friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Key Largo or Quepos?

How long in Quepos or Key Largo?

Both Quepos and Key Largo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Key Largo than in Quepos. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Quepos, and 5-7 days is enough time in Key Largo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Quepos than Key Largo 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 Quepos or Key Largo?

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Quepos. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Key Largo. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Quepos or Key Largo?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the local destination of Quepos. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Key Largo 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.

Five days in Quepos or Key Largo?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxed town of Quepos. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Key Largo. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Quepos or Key Largo?

Quepos is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful destination of Key Largo. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quepos and Key Largo, we can see that Key Largo is more expensive. And not only is Quepos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Quepos is in Central America and Key Largo is in North 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 Quepos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quepos 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 Key Largo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key Largo than you might in Quepos.

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

Which is Bigger, Quepos or Key Largo?

Key Largo has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Quepos and Key Largo, 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 Key Largo?

Key Largo 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 Quepos or Key Largo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Quepos and Key Largo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round. Also, many visitors come to Key Largo in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

Quepos is around the same temperature as Key Largo in the summer. The daily temperature in Quepos averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Key Largo fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key Largo this time of the year. Quepos usually receives less sunshine than Key Largo during summer. Quepos gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Key Largo receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

Key Largo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Quepos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Quepos usually receives more rain than Key Largo. Quepos gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Quepos or Key Largo in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Quepos is around the same temperature as Key Largo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Quepos in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Key Largo averages at about 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. In the autumn, Quepos often gets less sunshine than Key Largo. Quepos gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key Largo receives 275 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Key Largo. Quepos receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Quepos usually gets more rain in October than Key Largo. Quepos gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in Quepos is the dry season. Also, the hurricane season in Quepos is May to November.

Should I visit Quepos or Key Largo in the Winter?

Both Key Largo and Quepos are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Key Largo because of the cuisine.

In January, Quepos is generally a little warmer than Key Largo. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 27°C (81°F), and Key Largo fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in Key Largo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Quepos. Quepos usually receives more sunshine than Key Largo during winter. Quepos gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Key Largo receives 243 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Quepos usually receives less rain than Key Largo. Quepos gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Quepos or Key Largo in the Spring?

Both Key Largo and Quepos during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Key Largo this time of year.

Quepos is a little warmer than Key Largo in the spring. The daily temperature in Quepos averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Key Largo fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

In Key Largo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Quepos. In the spring, Quepos often gets less sunshine than Key Largo. Quepos gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key Largo receives 300 hours of full sun.

Quepos usually gets less rain in April than Key Largo. Quepos gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in Quepos. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in Quepos.

Typical Weather for Key Largo and Quepos