A Travel Price Comparison for Costa Rica Quepos vs. Puerto Viejo for Couples, Backpackers, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Quepos or Puerto Viejo?

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 Puerto Viejo 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 food, beaches, and shopping. See Quepos travel costs.

Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo is a relaxed, mellow, and authentic town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Puerto Viejo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Puerto Viejo travel costs.

Quepos and Puerto Viejo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Quepos or Puerto Viejo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Puerto Viejo. Although Quepos and Puerto Viejo are popular destinations, Puerto Viejo has more sights and attractions for tourists. Puerto Viejo is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Quepos attracts visitors for its resorts. Quepos is famous for its big game sport fishing. Puerto Viejo is famous for its surfing, snorkeling, and seafood. It is also well known for .

How is Quepos different from Puerto Viejo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Puerto Viejo 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 Puerto Viejo?

Puerto Viejo 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 Puerto Viejo specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There aren't any real museums in the area, but there are a couple of art galleries.

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

Is the Food Better in Quepos or Puerto Viejo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Quepos and Puerto Viejo both to be nice 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.

Puerto Viejo offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants have a local atmosphere and serve typical Costa Rican food or seafood. You'll find no shortage of rice and beans!

Is Quepos or Puerto Viejo Better for Nightlife?

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

Puerto Viejo has a large number of nightlife venues. It's a laid back town during the day and at night there's a chill but lively atmosphere. You'll find a few bars and clubs that have live music, and it's not hard to find something interesting to do.

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 Puerto Viejo Better for Resorts?

Quepos is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Puerto Viejo is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Quepos as a resort destination, but it has a few places. 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.

Puerto Viejo is not a resort destination.

Is Quepos or Puerto Viejo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Puerto Viejo 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 Puerto Viejo. You'll find the best snorkeling in Cahuita National Park, where you'll see coral and colorful fish. There's a dive shop in town as well, but most people enjoy the snorkeling in the area more.

Quepos is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Quepos or Puerto Viejo Better for Beaches?

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

Puerto Viejo is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The beaches in the area are beautiful and offer great waves for surfing and patches of coral reef for snorkeling. Many of the beaches are lined with forest and have a more laid back and less developed atmosphere than the beaches on the Pacific side.

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 Puerto Viejo Better for Hiking?

Puerto Viejo is very good for its hiking trails. However, Quepos is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Puerto Viejo. The hike through nearby Cahuita National Park is a highlight for many visitors. It wanders along the coastline and takes about three hours to walk. You'll likely see some wildlife during your walk.

Quepos is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Quepos or Puerto Viejo?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Quepos and Puerto Viejo.

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

Puerto Viejo is a great destination for shopping. You can wander through the town center and enjoy shopping at the local boutiques that sell clothes and other touristy items.

Is Quepos or Puerto Viejo More Beautiful?

Puerto Viejo is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

Puerto Viejo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The beaches are beautiful and lined with rainforests. There's also easy access to the beautiful Cahuita National Park.

Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Quepos or Puerto Viejo Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Quepos or Puerto Viejo.

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.

Puerto Viejo is a very family-friendly place to visit. With its easy access to Cahuita National Park and many wildlife experiences, this is a great destination for the kids. Kids can see sloths and monkeys, or enjoy snorkeling and hanging out on a chill beach.

Is Quepos or Puerto Viejo Better for Couples?

Quepos is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Couples visit Puerto Viejo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, which has a more laid back and less touristy atmosphere. While you won't find the larger resorts and tourist amenities in this area, couples who enjoy hiking and a local vibe will love their time here.

Is Quepos or Puerto Viejo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Quepos is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Puerto Viejo. There's a local atmosphere and enough hostels and budget accommodation to keep backpackers happy. It's also easy to explore and makes the perfect place to chill out for a few days.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Quepos and Puerto Viejo.

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 Puerto Viejo, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that travel the longer distances, but most people walk or bike around town.

Is Quepos or Puerto Viejo a more walkable city?

Puerto Viejo is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Puerto Viejo is a very walkable destination. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Quepos Worth Visiting? and Is Puerto Viejo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Puerto Viejo or Quepos?

How long in Quepos or Puerto Viejo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Quepos and Puerto Viejo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Quepos than in Puerto Viejo. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Quepos, and 2-3 days is enough time in Puerto Viejo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Puerto Viejo than Quepos 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 Puerto Viejo.

One day in Quepos or Puerto Viejo?

In Quepos, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this relaxed town offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Puerto Viejo. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Quepos or Puerto Viejo?

Quepos is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Puerto Viejo 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.

Five days in Quepos or Puerto Viejo?

You'll find nightlife and food around the relaxed destination of Quepos. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Puerto Viejo. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

A week in Quepos or Puerto Viejo?

Quepos is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the relaxed destination of Puerto Viejo. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quepos and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Quepos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Puerto Viejo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Viejo 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 Puerto Viejo Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Quepos or Puerto Viejo?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Quepos or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

Both Puerto Viejo and Quepos are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Puerto Viejo is September to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. It's quite rainy in Quepos. In July, Quepos usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Quepos gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Quepos usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Quepos gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Quepos is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the summer. The daily temperature in Quepos averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Quepos or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Quepos during the autumn 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 Puerto Viejo year-round.

December to April is the dry season in Quepos. Also, the hurricane season in Quepos is May to November. September to October is the dry season in Puerto Viejo. November to January is the rainy season in Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Quepos. Quepos usually gets more rain in October than Puerto Viejo. Quepos gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Quepos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Viejo. Quepos gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Quepos is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Quepos in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Quepos or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Quepos and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Also, November to January is the rainy season in Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Quepos usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Quepos gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In Quepos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Quepos usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during winter. Quepos gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Quepos is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Quepos or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Quepos as well as Puerto Viejo. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

Also, December to April in Quepos is the dry season. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in Quepos. It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Quepos usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejo. Quepos gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Quepos this time of the year. In the spring, Quepos often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Quepos gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.

Quepos is a little warmer than Puerto Viejo in the spring. The daily temperature in Quepos averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Quepos