A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Quepos vs. Temuco for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Quepos or Temuco?

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

Where Should I go: Quepos or Temuco?

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.

Temuco

Temuco is a large and modern city found 680 km south of Santiago. While the city is dynamic, it does not have any particular charm with the exception of being a great point of departure for many excursions around the lake region and the many national parks found in the surrounding area. Temuco is also well known for its Mapuche culture, a proud and rebellious community of around 20 000 in the area today, who has fought continuously against every invaders in the past.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Temuco or Quepos?

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 Temuco is $80. 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 Temuco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Quepos $77
    Temuco $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Quepos $154
    Temuco $88
Compare Hotels in Quepos and Temuco

Looking for a hotel in Quepos or Temuco? 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.

Hotels in Quepos


Hotels in Temuco


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 Temuco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Quepos $9.56
    Temuco $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos

Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Manuel Antonio/Quepos : $300
  • One-Way Private Transfer from Quepos - Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $276
  • Manuel Antonio & Quepos one way transfer to SJO hotels - Airport up to 5 people.: $274
  • Private transfer from SJ Airport to Manuel Antonio and vice versa: $230
  • Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport and surroundings : $209
  • Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Nauyaca Waterfalls (Round Trip): $199
  • One-Way Private Transfer from Uvita to Quepos - Manuel Antonio: $140
  • Private Transfer From San Jose Airport To Manuel Antonio Beach: $125
  • Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to San Jose City Hotels: $91
  • Shuttle Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San Jose: $60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Temuco

Also for Temuco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfers from or to Temuco - Araucanía Airport: $35
  • Transfer from Temuco Airport to Pucon: $140
  • Transfer Araucanía Airport - Temuco: $50
  • Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Thermal Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $98
  • Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Resorts - Arrival Private Transfer: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Quepos or Temuco?

Prices for flights to both Temuco 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Quepos $30
    Temuco $22
Typical Food Prices in Quepos

For Quepos, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch
    $15
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Quepos $17
    Temuco $7.85

Tours and Activities in Quepos

For Quepos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 10 in 1 Tour! Zip Lines, Rappels, Tarzan Swing, Waterfalls & More: $130
  • 2-Hour Boat Tour in Quepos: $55
  • ATV Tour Half Day Trip From Manuel Antonio: $90
  • All Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure from Manuel Antonio: $83
  • All-Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure with Lunch: $93
  • All-Inclusive Full-Day Nauyaca Waterfall and Beach Town Tour: $142
  • Beach Day Experience in Manuel Antonio: $20
  • Birding at El Rey. (Marshes,rice fields,canals) Private Birding Tour : $120
  • Birdwatching Tour: $130
  • Catamaran Adventure From Manuel Antonio: $116
  • Chocolate Tour Manuel Antonio: $60
  • Chocolate and Coffee Tour Manuel Antonio: $62

Tours and Activities in Temuco

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Temuco.

  • Tour Mapuche Community Araucanía: $582

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Quepos $15
    Temuco $5.13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quepos and Temuco, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is Temuco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Quepos is in Central America and Temuco 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 Temuco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Temuco 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 Temuco.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Quepos Expensive? and Is Temuco Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Quepos or Temuco?

Temuco has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Quepos and Temuco, 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 Temuco?

Temuco 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 Temuco in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Quepos and Temuco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.

Quepos is much warmer than Temuco in the summer. The daily temperature in Quepos averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Temuco fluctuates around 17°C (62°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Temuco this time of the year. Quepos usually receives less sunshine than Temuco during summer. Quepos gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Temuco receives 290 hours of full sun in the summer.

Quepos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Quepos usually receives more rain than Temucoin January. Quepos gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Temuco receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Quepos 28°C (82°F) 
    Temuco 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Quepos or Temuco in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Quepos as well as Temuco. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Quepos is much warmer than Temuco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Quepos in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Temuco averages at about 12°C (53°F)in April.

In the autumn, Quepos often gets more sunshine than Temucoin April. Quepos gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Temuco receives 150 hours of full sun.

Quepos receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Quepos usually gets more rain in October than Temucoin April. Quepos gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Temuco receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Quepos 27°C (81°F) 
    Temuco 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Quepos or Temuco in the Winter?

Both Temuco and Quepos are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.

In January, Quepos is generally much warmer than Temucoin July. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 27°C (81°F), and Temuco fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Quepos. Quepos usually receives more sunshine than Temuco during winter. Quepos gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Temuco receives 78 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Temuco. In January, Quepos usually receives less rain than Temucoin July. Quepos gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Temuco receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Quepos 27°C (81°F) 
    Temuco 8°C (46°F)

Should I visit Quepos or Temuco in the Spring?

Both Temuco and Quepos during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Quepos is much warmer than Temuco in the spring. The daily temperature in Quepos averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Temuco fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Quepos. In the spring, Quepos often gets more sunshine than Temucoin October. Quepos gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Temuco receives 193 hours of full sun.

Quepos usually gets less rain in April than Temucoin October. Quepos gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Temuco receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Quepos 29°C (85°F) 
    Temuco 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Temuco and Quepos

Quepos Temuco
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 17°C (62°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 29°C (84°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 29°C (85°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 226 mm (8.9 in) 10°C (50°F) 176 mm (6.9 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 226 mm (8.9 in) 9°C (47°F) 177 mm (7 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 289 mm (11.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 328 mm (12.9 in) 10°C (50°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 254 mm (10 in) 12°C (54°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 121 mm (4.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)