Which place is cheaper, Ushuaia or Quepos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Quepos or Ushuaia?
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 Ushuaia can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Quepos or Ushuaia?
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.
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQuepos $117Ushuaia $11
The average daily cost (per person) in Quepos is $117, while the average daily cost in Ushuaia is $11. 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 Ushuaia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQuepos $77Ushuaia $5.64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQuepos $154Ushuaia $11
Compare Hotels in Quepos and Ushuaia
Looking for a hotel in Quepos or Ushuaia? 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 Ushuaia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Quepos $9.56Ushuaia -
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared One-way Airport Transfer: $10
- Escondido and Fagnano Lakes with transfer: $97
- Ushuaia to Ushuaia Airport (USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
- Ushuaia city to Ushuaia Airport(USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia city - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $46
- Ushuaia Airport Shared Transfer: $7.48
- Ushuaia Airport Shared Transfer: $7.25
- Ushuaia Airport Departure Transfer: $10
- Ushuaia Airport Arrival Transfer: $10
- Ushuaia Airport (USH) to Ushuaia - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $63
- Transfer from/to the airport: $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Quepos or Ushuaia?
Prices for flights to both Ushuaia 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 $30Ushuaia $2.18
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 Ushuaia
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ushuaia:
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Lunch for Two$0.06
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia
For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Martial Glacier at Night with Dinner Included: $94
- Ushuaia at night: A Snow and Fire dinner, sledding and adventure: $280
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Quepos $17Ushuaia $13
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 Ushuaia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.
- 2-day tour: Tierra del Fuego National Park + Fagnano and Escondido Lakes: $115
- 2-day tour:Tierra del Fuego NP + Beagle Channel Navigation + Fagnano & Escondido: $190
- 3-Hour Navigation Tour in the Beagle Channel with Isla de Lobos: $75
- 3-Hour Tour Sailing through the Beagle Channel: $105
- 4×4 Off Road Tour to Escondido and Khami Lakes: $122
- 4-Hour National Park - USHUAIA (Shared tour): $75
- 4WD Off-Road Lakes Adventure in Tierra del Fuego: $156
- 5-Hour Nat Park + City tour - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $195
- 5.5-Hour National park w/ hiking Shore excursion - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $280
- 5hrs of Trekking Experience in Martial Glacier: $95
- 7-Hour Lakes Escondido & Fagnano - USHUAIA (Shared tour): $105
- Adventure 360º in Quads with Lunch: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQuepos $15Ushuaia -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Wine$0.05
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Beer$0.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quepos and Ushuaia, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is Ushuaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Quepos is in Central America and Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Quepos Expensive? and Is Ushuaia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Quepos or Ushuaia?
Ushuaia has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Quepos and Ushuaia, 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 Ushuaia?
Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Quepos and Ushuaia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.
In the summer, Quepos is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Quepos in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 10°C (50°F)in January.
Quepos usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ushuaia during summer. Quepos gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 169 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 Ushuaiain January. Quepos gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryQuepos 28°C (82°F)Ushuaia 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Ushuaia in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Quepos as well as Ushuaia. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Quepos is generally much warmer than Ushuaiain April. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 27°C (81°F), and Ushuaia fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
In the autumn, Quepos often gets more sunshine than Ushuaiain April. Quepos gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 74 hours of full sun.
Quepos receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Quepos usually gets more rain in October than Ushuaiain April. Quepos gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilQuepos 27°C (81°F)Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Ushuaia in the Winter?
Both Ushuaia and Quepos are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Ushuaia. Quepos is much warmer than Ushuaia in the winter. The daily temperature in Quepos averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Ushuaia fluctuates around 2°C (36°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Quepos. Quepos usually receives more sunshine than Ushuaia during winter. Quepos gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Quepos usually receives less rain than Ushuaiain July. Quepos gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyQuepos 27°C (81°F)Ushuaia 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Ushuaia in the Spring?
Both Ushuaia 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.
In the spring, Quepos is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Quepos in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 6°C (43°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Quepos. In the spring, Quepos often gets more sunshine than Ushuaiain October. Quepos gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 156 hours of full sun.
Quepos usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Ushuaiain October. Quepos gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberQuepos 29°C (85°F)Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Ushuaia and Quepos
| Quepos | Ushuaia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.