Which place is cheaper, Liberia or Quepos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Quepos or Liberia?
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 Liberia can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Quepos or Liberia?
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.
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQuepos $117Liberia $112
The average daily cost (per person) in Quepos is $117, while the average daily cost in Liberia is $112. 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 Liberia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQuepos $77Liberia $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQuepos $154Liberia $120
Compare Hotels in Quepos and Liberia
Looking for a hotel in Quepos or Liberia? 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 Liberia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Quepos $9.56Liberia $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos
Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to San Jose City Hotels: $90
- Transfer TO or FROM Manuel Antonio, Quepos to SJO Airport - Private (ONE WAY): $105
- Private Transfer From San Jose Airport To Manuel Antonio Beach: $125
- One-Way Private Transfer from Uvita to Quepos - Manuel Antonio: $140
- Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Nauyaca Waterfalls (Round Trip): $199
- Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport and surroundings : $209
- Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Nauyaca: $220
- Private transfer from SJ Airport to Manuel Antonio and vice versa: $230
- 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
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Manuel Antonio/Quepos : $300
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Bike Rental$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- Transfers from Liberia Airport: $60
- Transfer from Playa Hermosa to Liberia Airport (LIR): $85
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Riu Guanacaste Hotel in Guanacaste: $85
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playas del Coco Guanacaste: $85
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Planet Hollywood Beach Resort: $91
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to El Mangroove Hotel: $85
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Dreams Las Mareas Hotel: $149
- Transfer from El Mangroove Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $94
- Transfer from Bosque del Mar Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $85
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas, Costa Rica: $240
- Transfer Riu Palace and Guanacaste Round-Trip: $160
- Transfer Liberia Airport to Planet Hollywood or Andaz Papagayo, ROUND TRIP.: $176
Is it cheaper to fly into Quepos or Liberia?
Prices for flights to both Liberia 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 $30Liberia $21
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 Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Snacks$1.97
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Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$4.95
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Lunch$11
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$14
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Ginger Ale$1.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.
- Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Quepos $17Liberia $25
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
- 2-3-Hour Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour: $30
- Manuel Antonio with Mauro / Tickets not Included! : $30
- Manuel Antonio Park Tour and its Amazing Wildlife and Beaches: $30
- Manuel Antonio National Park Group Guided Tour: $30
- Manuel Antonio National Park 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
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- ATV Tour Guanacaste the Beach Excursion & Trail: $110
- Birdwatching Experience private tour : $275
- Llanos de Cortez Safari and Waterfall Tour: $190
- Mega Combo Adventure: $195
- Nicaragua one day tour from Costa Rica, Discover it: $250
- 2 Hour ATV Private Tour in Costa Rica: $81
- 2-Hours UTV Tour: $110
- 3 Hour ATV Adventure Tour in El Jobo: $120
- 4 Tours in 1 Action Package - Playa del Coco area: $170
- 5 in 1 sloth, Rainforest, waterfalls, hanging bridges, volcanic activity tour.: $285
- 6 Hours Guanacaste Cultural and Local Farm Experience: $77
- 7 Hour Private Tour in Palo Verde National Park with Pickup: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQuepos $15Liberia $13
When comparing the travel costs between Quepos and Liberia, 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 Liberia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Quepos or Liberia?
Liberia has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Quepos and Liberia, 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 Liberia?
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 Liberia in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Quepos as well as Liberia. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Liberia throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Liberia. Quepos receives a lot of rain in the summer. Quepos usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Liberia. Quepos gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Liberia 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 Liberia. Quepos gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Liberia receives 164 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Quepos is around the same temperature as Liberia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Quepos in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Liberia averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyQuepos 28°C (82°F)Liberia 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Liberia in the Autumn?
Both Liberia 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 Liberia because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Liberia is December to April. The rainy season in Liberia is April to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Liberia. It's quite rainy in Quepos. In October, Quepos usually receives around the same amount of rain as Liberia. Quepos gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Quepos usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Liberia during autumn. Quepos gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Liberia receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Quepos is generally around the same temperature as Liberia. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 27°C (81°F), and Liberia fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberQuepos 27°C (81°F)Liberia 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Liberia in the Winter?
Both Liberia 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 Liberia year-round.
Quepos usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Liberia. Quepos gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Liberia, 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 Liberia. Quepos gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Liberia receives 264 hours of full sun.
Quepos is around the same temperature as Liberia in the winter. The daily temperature in Quepos averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Liberia fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryQuepos 27°C (81°F)Liberia 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Liberia in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Quepos and Liberia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round. Liberia attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in Liberia is the dry season. Also, April to December is the rainy season in Liberia. In April, Quepos usually receives around the same amount of rain as Liberia. Quepos gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Liberia 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 Liberia during spring. Quepos gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Liberia receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Quepos is around the same temperature as Liberia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Quepos in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Liberia averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilQuepos 29°C (85°F)Liberia 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Liberia and Quepos
| Quepos | Liberia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
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.