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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Quepos?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Quepos, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Saaremaa

Saaremaa is a quiet, calm, and peaceful island. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, Saaremaa attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food and beaches. See Saaremaa travel costs.

Quepos

Quepos is a relaxed, local, and laid-back town. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Quepos travel costs.

Saaremaa and Quepos: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Quepos?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Quepos. Although Saaremaa and Quepos are popular destinations, Quepos has more sights and attractions for tourists. Quepos is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, resorts, and shopping, while Saaremaa attracts visitors for its food, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Quepos is more touristy than Saaremaa and is known for its big game sport fishing. It is also well known for Manuel Antonio National Park. Saaremaa is famous for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Quepos?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Quepos is mediocre for its historical sights. However, Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Quepos. You won't find much as far as museums go around town.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Saaremaa is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Saaremaa has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Like most things on the island, traditional local food is still the norm here. The island is known for its smoked fish, homemade bread, and locally brewed beers. Popular fishes include garfish, herring, and flatfish, which you can enjoy at a local restaurant or one of the pop-up cafes that are popular during the summer months. You'll find the highest concentration of restaurants in Kuressaare, but there are still many options further out. It's also fun to visit during September during the Saaremaa Food Festival.

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 Saaremaa or Quepos Better for Nightlife?

Quepos is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Quepos has a few options to choose from. You'll find a few bars and clubs around town, but it is a small town and the selection can be limited.

People don't go to Saaremaa for the nightlife. The island is known for it's quiet, laid-back atmosphere, so you'll be hard pressed to find a party or active club, even during the more popular summer months.

Is Saaremaa or Quepos Better for Resorts?

Quepos is adequate for its luxury resorts. However, Saaremaa 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.

Saaremaa is not a resort destination.

Is Saaremaa or Quepos Better for Beaches?

Both Saaremaa and Quepos have nice beaches worth visiting.

Saaremaa has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are quiet and relaxed, even during the summer months. In town, the best beach is Kuressaare Beach. Outside of town you'll find other nice beaches such as the sandy beaches between Mändjala and Järve. The beaches in Tuhkana and Jõiste villages are also well known. For swimming, most people prefer to visit Lake Karujärv.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Quepos?

Quepos is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Quepos More Beautiful?

Saaremaa is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Saaremaa attracts visitors from all around. The island has a classic beauty that feels frozen in time.

Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saaremaa or Quepos Better for Families?

Quepos is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Saaremaa is a family-friendly place to visit. While the island is known for its slow pace, there are still a number of fun activities where the kids can run and jump. There are several outdoor adventure parks and playgrounds that are great for young legs. Check out the playgrounds in Kuressaare or head out of town for more outdoor activities. When the weather's nice you can head to Kuressaare Beach or check out the ostrich farm in Muhu.

Is Saaremaa or Quepos Better for Couples?

Quepos is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for romance.

Quepos has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Saaremaa is a very popular place to visit for couples. The peace and quiet of the island make for a relaxing couple's getaway. You can enjoy the outdoors and feel like you've stepped back in time as you explore the laid back island in the Baltics.

Is Saaremaa or Quepos Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Quepos is an amazing town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island 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.

Saaremaa is a good island to visit for backpackers. While prices are cheap, transportation isn't great so you'll likely want to rent a car if you want to really explore the island. There are a number of rooms available for rent at an affordable price, particularly in the shoulder season, but you'll you'll only find a handful of hostels on the island.

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

Quepos is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Quepos offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are a number of buses that pass through town. There are also buses that travel between Quepos and Manuel Antonio.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Saaremaa. Most people arrive on the island by ferry. There are buses on the island but they cater mostly to locals. To really explore, you'll want to have access to a car.

Is Saaremaa or Quepos a more walkable city?

Quepos is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its walkability.

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

Saaremaa is not a walkable island. While their are some walking trails, you really need a car to explore the island in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Quepos or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Quepos?

It's fun to spend time in either Saaremaa or Quepos. In our opinion, Quepos has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Quepos than Saaremaa. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Quepos?

Saaremaa might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The town of Quepos offers nightlife and food. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Saaremaa or Quepos?

Saaremaa 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.

Quepos is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Quepos, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Saaremaa or Quepos?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saaremaa. 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.

Quepos is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Saaremaa or Quepos?

Saaremaa is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Quepos is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.

When comparing the travel costs between Saaremaa and Quepos, we can see that Saaremaa is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Saaremaa is in Europe and Quepos is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Quepos?

Saaremaa has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Quepos?

Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Quepos in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Quepos. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

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

In Saaremaa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Quepos during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.

Quepos receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Quepos. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Quepos in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Quepos. The autumn months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.

In the autumn, Saaremaa is much colder than Quepos. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saaremaa in October average around 8°C (47°F), and Quepos averages at about 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Quepos. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 169 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Quepos. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in October than Quepos. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in Quepos is the dry season. Also, the hurricane season in Quepos is May to November.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Quepos in the Winter?

Both Quepos and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The cuisine are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the winter. In January, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Quepos. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around -3°C (27°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Quepos. Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Quepos during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saaremaa usually receives more rain than Quepos. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Quepos in the Spring?

Both Quepos and Saaremaa during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. Saaremaa is much colder than Quepos in the spring. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 4°C (38°F) in April, and Quepos fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

In Quepos, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Quepos. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 255 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Quepos. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in Quepos. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in Quepos.

Typical Weather for Quepos and Saaremaa