Which place is cheaper, Medellin or Quepos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 Medellin can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Quepos is $117, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $23. 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 Medellin in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Quepos or Medellin? 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:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
Prices for flights to both Medellin 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:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
For Quepos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quepos and Medellin, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Quepos is in Central America and Medellin 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 Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Medellin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Quepos Expensive? and Is Medellin Expensive?.
Medellin has a larger population, and is about 260 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Quepos and Medellin, 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.