A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Quepos vs. Key West for Couples, Backpackers, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Quepos or Key West?

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 West can help you decide which place is right for you.

Quepos

Quepos is a laid-back, relaxed, and local town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Quepos travel costs.

Key West

Key West is a active, lively, and quaint town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. With stunning beauty, Key West attracts visitors from all around. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Key West travel costs.

Quepos and Key West: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Quepos or Key West?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Key West. Although Quepos and Key West are both popular with visitors, Key West has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Key West is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Quepos is known for its museums and attractions and shopping. Key West is more touristy than Quepos and is popular for its festive nightlife, quirky town center, colorful personality, adrenaline-filled watersports, stunning beaches, turquoise water, and location at the southernmost point of the continental U.S. It is also home to Duval Street. Quepos is popular for its big game sport fishing.

How is Quepos different from Key West?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Key West 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 West?

Quepos is not a good place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Key West does not have museums and landmarks.

Quepos offers a few options for museum-goers. You won't find much as far as museums go around town.

Key West does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Key West has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Head to town for local restaurants with quirky atmospheres. There are many local dishes to sample, but the town is most known for its stone crabs, conch fritters, and Mahi Mahi sandwiches. You'll also find cold drinks and waterfront dining areas.

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 Quepos or Key West Better for Nightlife?

Key West is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Key West has a large number of nightlife venues. This area has some of the most lively nightlife in the Florida Keys. There are quirky bars and fun hangouts where you can spend the evening. The party starts at Mallory Square around sunset and many bars stay open well into the early hours. You can also enjoy sunset cruises or pass your time at one of the many tiki bars.

Quepos has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find a few bars and clubs around town, but it is a small town and the selection can be limited.

Is Quepos or Key West Better for Resorts?

Key West 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 West. There are a number of high end resorts around the island, many with recognizable names such as the Hyatt and Hilton. Prices can be high, but these resorts often come with reliable luxury.

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 West Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key West is very good for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Quepos is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Key West. There are a number of dive shops and snorkeling excursions that leave from Key West. Like many tourist areas these days, the coral shows its damage from the crowds, but you'll likely see some barracuda or a Grouper.

Quepos is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Quepos or Key West Better for Beaches?

Key West is a very popular place for the beach. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

Key West is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. One of the best beaches in the area is Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. The beach has soft sand and stunning turquoise water. As is typical in the Keys, the water stays shallow for great distances.

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 Quepos or Key West Better for its Old Town?

Key West is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Quepos does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Key West. The town has the most charming Old Town areas in the Florida Keys. Head to Mallory Square for the sunset street performers and explore the historic streets around Duval Street.

Quepos does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Quepos or Key West?

Quepos is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Key West is a mediocre town for its shopping areas.

Quepos offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find boutique shops around town that sell everything from clothing to art.

Key West has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. While it definitely has its share of gimmicky souvenir shops and t-shirt stores, there are still a number of art galleries and local shops around Key West where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Quepos or Key West More Beautiful?

Key West is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Key West attracts visitors from all around. There are blue waters as far as the eye can see. It doesn't get much more beautiful than this.

Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Quepos or Key West Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Quepos or Key West.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Quepos. 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.

Key West is a very family-friendly place to visit. Families that enjoy snorkeling, aquariums, water sports, and exploring new places will enjoy visiting this part of the Florida Keys. There are many ways to get out on the water from kayaking and snorkeling to glass bottom boat tours and sunset cruises. There are also many kid-friendly beaches in the area. The town can have a party atmosphere, but it's not hard to find a more family-friendly area where everyone can have fun.

Is Quepos or Key West Better for Couples?

Quepos is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Key West is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

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.

Key West makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. From Mallory Square to the beautiful nearby parks, Key West makes a wonderful, romantic destination. Whether it's your honeymoon, an anniversary, or simply a couples' retreat, Key West is a great option. You can sip wine on a sunset cruise or dine at one of the many character-filled restaurants in town. If you are looking for a party, it's not hard to find, but if you want a more laid back holiday, that's also possible.

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

Quepos is renowned for backpackers. However, Key West is a mediocre town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Quepos. 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 West is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Key West is a pretty expensive destination, but there are Airbnbs and even a hostel or two that cater to budget backpackers.

Is Quepos or Key West Better for Students?

Key West is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Quepos is not popular with students.

Key West is very popular with students. It's a great spring break destination with a quirky personality and many great activities.

Quepos is not popular with students.

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

Quepos is a popular place for its public transit. However, Key West is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

Quepos has a few public transit options. There are a number of buses that pass through town. There are also buses that travel between Quepos and Manuel Antonio.

Public transit is quite limited in Key West. Public transportation in Key West is limited to a few buses.

Is Quepos or Key West a more walkable city?

Quepos and Key West are good when it comes to walkability.

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

Key West is somewhat walkable. The town is the most walkable part of the Florida Keys. The area around Mallory Square and Duval Street is the most pedestrian friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Key West or Quepos?

How long in Quepos or Key West?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Quepos than Key West. 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 West 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 West?

The town of Quepos offers nightlife and food. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the quaint destination of Key West. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Quepos or Key West?

Quepos is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Quepos, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Key West 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 West?

Quepos is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Key West. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 West?

Quepos is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the quaint destination of Key West. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quepos and Key West, we can see that Key West 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 West 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 West would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key West 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 West Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Quepos or Key West?

Key West has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Quepos and Key West, 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 West?

Key West 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 West in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Quepos as well as Key West. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Key West because of the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Quepos is generally around the same temperature as Key West. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 28°C (82°F), and Key West fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key West. In the summer, Quepos often gets less sunshine than Key West. Quepos gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key West receives 328 hours of full sun.

Quepos receives a lot of rain in the summer. Quepos usually gets more rain in July than Key West. Quepos gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Key West receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Quepos or Key West in the Autumn?

Both Key West and Quepos are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Key West this time of year.

Quepos is around the same temperature as Key West in the autumn. The daily temperature in Quepos averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Key West fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Key West. Quepos usually receives less sunshine than Key West during autumn. Quepos gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Key West receives 258 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Key West. It's quite rainy in Quepos. In October, Quepos usually receives more rain than Key West. Quepos gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Key West receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Quepos is December to April. The hurricane season in Quepos is May to November. The hurricane season in Key West is June to November.

Should I visit Quepos or Key West in the Winter?

Both Key West and Quepos during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Key West for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Quepos is a little warmer than Key West. Typically, the winter temperatures in Quepos in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Key West averages at about 70°F (21°C).

In Key West, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Quepos. In the winter, Quepos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Key West. Quepos gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key West receives 252 hours of full sun.

Quepos usually gets less rain in January than Key West. Quepos gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Key West receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Quepos or Key West in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Quepos and Key West. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Key West in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Quepos is generally a little warmer than Key West. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 29°C (85°F), and Key West fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key West this time of the year. In Quepos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Quepos usually receives less sunshine than Key West during spring. Quepos gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Key West receives 326 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Quepos usually receives more rain than Key West. Quepos gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Key West receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the spring. December to April in Quepos is the dry season. May to November is the hurricane season in Quepos. June to November is the hurricane season in Key West.

Typical Weather for Key West and Quepos