A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rome vs. Quepos for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Rome or Quepos?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rome and Quepos can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Rome

Rome is a fun-filled, popular, and ancient city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Rome is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Rome travel costs.

Quepos

Quepos is a relaxed, local, and laid-back town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Quepos travel costs.

Rome and Quepos: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rome or Quepos?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rome. Although Rome and Quepos are popular destinations, Rome has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rome is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Quepos attracts visitors for its resorts and beaches. Rome is more touristy than Quepos and is popular for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. It is also well known for The Colosseum. Quepos is famous for its big game sport fishing.

The Colosseum

How is Rome different from Quepos?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Quepos and Rome. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Rome or Quepos?

Rome is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Quepos is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Rome has many famous sights for visitors. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.

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 Rome or Quepos? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rome is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Rome has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

Quepos offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Rome or Quepos Better for Nightlife?

Rome is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

People head to Rome just to party. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.

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 Rome or Quepos Better for Music?

Rome is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Quepos is not a live music destination.

Rome has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Quepos is not a live music destination.

Is Rome or Quepos Better for Resorts?

Quepos is a town with a few options for its resorts. However, Rome 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.

Rome is not a resort destination.

Is Rome or Quepos Better for Beaches?

Quepos is a town with good options for the beach. However, Rome is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Quepos. 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.

Rome is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rome or Quepos?

Rome is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Rome specifically to go shopping. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.

Quepos is a great destination for shopping. You'll find boutique shops around town that sell everything from clothing to art.

Is Rome or Quepos More Beautiful?

Rome is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

Rome is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. With its many beautiful landmarks and impressive architecture, this city has a lot of attractive places to visit. Don't miss Villa Borghese Park, Trastevere, Palazzo Madama, the Appian Way, and Piazza Navona.

Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Rome or Quepos Better for Families?

Both Rome and Quepos are superb to visit with kids.

Rome is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.

Quepos is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Is Rome or Quepos Better for Couples?

Quepos is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Rome is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Quepos is a great town for couples, as it 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.

Rome is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

Is Rome or Quepos Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome and Quepos are amazing places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Rome is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).

Many backpackers frequent Quepos. 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.

Is Rome or Quepos Better for Students?

Rome is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Quepos is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Rome. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.

Quepos is not popular with students.

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

Rome is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Rome can get you around easily. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

You'll find some public transit in Quepos, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are a number of buses that pass through town. There are also buses that travel between Quepos and Manuel Antonio.

Is Rome or Quepos a more walkable city?

Rome is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Rome. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Quepos or Rome?

How long in Rome or Quepos?

It's fun to spend time in either Rome or Quepos. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Rome due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Rome, and 2-4 days is enough time in Quepos.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rome 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 Rome.

One day in Rome or Quepos?

Rome is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Quepos. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Rome or Quepos?

Rome is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Quepos is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Rome or Quepos?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rome. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the local destination of Quepos. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Rome or Quepos?

Rome is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The laid-back town of Quepos offers shopping and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.

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

Which is Bigger, Rome or Quepos?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Rome and Quepos, 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 Rome or Quepos?

Rome 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 Rome or Quepos in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rome as well as Quepos. Many visitors come to Rome in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.

Rome is cooler than Quepos in the summer. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Quepos fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome this time of the year. In the summer, Rome often gets more sunshine than Quepos. Rome gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 164 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Quepos. Rome usually gets less rain in July than Quepos. Rome gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rome or Quepos in the Autumn?

Both Quepos and Rome are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Rome is much colder than Quepos. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rome in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Quepos averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Rome usually receives more sunshine than Quepos during autumn. Rome gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Quepos. In October, Rome usually receives less rain than Quepos. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Quepos is December to April. May to November in Quepos is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Rome or Quepos in the Winter?

Both Quepos and Rome during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Rome because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.

In January, Rome is generally much colder than Quepos. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 8°C (47°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Quepos, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Rome often gets less sunshine than Quepos. Rome gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun.

Rome usually gets more rain in January than Quepos. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rome or Quepos in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rome and Quepos. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Rome this time of year. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Rome is much colder than Quepos in the spring. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Quepos fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Quepos this time of the year. In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rome usually receives less sunshine than Quepos during spring. Rome gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rome usually receives more rain than Quepos. Rome gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. December to April in Quepos is the dry season. The hurricane season in Quepos is May to November.

Typical Weather for Quepos and Rome