Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Quepos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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 La Fortuna can help you decide which place is right for you.
Quepos is a laid-back, relaxed, and local town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Quepos travel costs.
La Fortuna is a popular, stunning, and scenic town. With stunning beauty, La Fortuna attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, nightlife, and food. See La Fortuna travel costs.
Tourists will generally find more to do in La Fortuna. Although Quepos and La Fortuna are both popular with visitors, La Fortuna has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. La Fortuna is more popular for its museums and attractions, resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Quepos is known for its beaches and shopping. La Fortuna is more touristy than Quepos and is popular for its hot springs, luxury resorts, and volcanic views. It is also home to Arenal Volcano. Quepos is popular for its big game sport fishing.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between La Fortuna and Quepos. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
La Fortuna is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Quepos is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.
While most people don't head to La Fortuna specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people spend their time outdoors exploring the area, but there are also some museums that highlight local art and culture.
Quepos offers a few options for museum-goers. You won't find much as far as museums go around town.
Foodies will find both Quepos and La Fortuna both to be good destinations.
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.
La Fortuna offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. It's a touristy mecca, and there are a number of decent restaurants around town. The area has some of the freshest local ingredients and the food reflects that. You'll find restaurants both in the center of town and along the road between the town and the hot springs.
The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Quepos and La Fortuna.
With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Quepos. You'll find a few bars and clubs around town, but it is a small town and the selection can be limited.
La Fortuna has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The larger resorts usually have a couple of bars onsite. There are also local bars and pubs throughout the town. While things often quiet down by 9:00, you will probably be able to find a laid back place to enjoy a drink with friends.
La Fortuna is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Quepos is lacking in good options for its resorts.
If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, La Fortuna is a perfect choice. There are many larger international resorts in the area. Many offer spectacular views, spas, and beautifully maintained pools that take advantage of the area's hot springs.
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.
Quepos is a good destination for the beach. However, La Fortuna is not a beach destination.
Quepos offers a nice beach destination. 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.
La Fortuna is not a beach destination.
La Fortuna is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Quepos is not a hiking destination.
Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting La Fortuna. The area is filled with stunning hikes that take you through different landscapes and ecosystems. You'll likely see some wildlife, visit spectacular waterfalls, and, of course, catch views of the impressive Arenal Volcano.
Quepos is not a hiking destination.
Quepos is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, La Fortuna 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.
La Fortuna has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find a couple of good souvenir shops around town where you can pick up some locally made items.
La Fortuna is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.
With stunning beauty, La Fortuna attracts visitors from all around. The town is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, lush rainforests, and dramatic views of the volcano. There are countless hikes and a plenty of opportunities to soak up the natural setting.
Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.
You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Quepos or La Fortuna.
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.
La Fortuna is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love exploring the outdoors and seeing some of Costa Rica's best environments. There are plenty of hiking trails, but if you're looking for short and simple, head to Ecocentro Danaus, which has a half mile flat walking loop and a butterfly garden. Another good option is Bogarin Trail, where you might see a sloth. And of course you have to check out Arenal Volcano National Park.
Both Quepos and La Fortuna are first-rate destinations to visit as a couple.
For those traveling as a couple, Quepos 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.
La Fortuna has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. There are amazing resorts and spas in the area that make for a truly luxurious and romantic holiday. Many couples visit for their honeymoon, and whether you enjoy exploring nature or pampering yourself in a five star setting, there really is something for everyone.
Quepos is renowned for backpackers. Also, La Fortuna is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.
Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit La Fortuna. As one of the top places to visit in Costa Rica, this town has a number of hostels that cater to the backpacker crowds.
Visitors will find good public transit in both Quepos and La Fortuna.
Quepos has some public transit options. There are a number of buses that pass through town. There are also buses that travel between Quepos and Manuel Antonio.
You'll find some public transit in La Fortuna, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses throughout the area as well as private transportation services, taxis, and car sharing.
Quepos and La Fortuna are good when it comes to walkability.
Quepos is a somewhat walkable town. It is a relatively walkable town.
La Fortuna is somewhat walkable. While the town itself is very walkable, many of the area's attractions can only be reached by car.
For even more information, also check out Is Quepos Worth Visiting? and Is La Fortuna Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Quepos or La Fortuna. In our opinion, La Fortuna has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in La Fortuna than Quepos. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in La Fortuna than Quepos. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in La Fortuna, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in La Fortuna than Quepos. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in La Fortuna that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Quepos than La Fortuna 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.
With shopping and nightlife around the local town of Quepos, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Many travelers enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of La Fortuna. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
With nightlife and food around the destination of Quepos, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.
La Fortuna is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Quepos, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Fortuna. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Quepos is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the stunning destination of La Fortuna. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Costa Rica, and The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Quepos is $139, while the average daily cost in La Fortuna is $123. 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 La Fortuna in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Quepos or La Fortuna? 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.
Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:
Prices for flights to both La Fortuna 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.
For Quepos, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Quepos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Fortuna.
For Quepos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Fortuna are as follows:
When comparing the travel costs between Quepos and La Fortuna, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Central America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Quepos Expensive? and Is La Fortuna Expensive?.
Quepos has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Quepos and La Fortuna, 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Quepos as well as La Fortuna. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in La Fortuna. Quepos receives a lot of rain in the summer. Quepos usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as La Fortuna. Quepos gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Quepos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Fortuna. Quepos gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 164 hours of full sun.
In July, Quepos is generally around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 28°C (82°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Both La Fortuna and Quepos are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Quepos is December to April. The hurricane season in Quepos is May to November. The dry season in La Fortuna is December to April. The hurricane season in La Fortuna is May to November. It rains a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. It's quite rainy in Quepos. In October, Quepos usually receives around the same amount of rain as La Fortuna. Quepos gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Quepos usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as La Fortuna during autumn. Quepos gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Quepos is around the same temperature as La Fortuna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Quepos averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Both La Fortuna 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.
Quepos usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as La Fortuna. Quepos gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In La Fortuna, 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 La Fortuna. Quepos gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Quepos is around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Quepos in January average around 27°C (81°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 27°C (81°F).
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Quepos and La Fortuna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in Quepos is the dry season. May to November is the hurricane season in Quepos. December to April in La Fortuna is the dry season. May to November is the hurricane season in La Fortuna. In April, Quepos usually receives around the same amount of rain as La Fortuna. Quepos gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Fortuna this time of the year. In Quepos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Quepos usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as La Fortuna during spring. Quepos gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Quepos is generally around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 29°C (85°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Quepos | La Fortuna | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |