Which place is cheaper, Quepos or San Ignacio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Ignacio or Quepos?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Ignacio 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.
Where Should I go: San Ignacio or Quepos?
San Ignacio
So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.
You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.
This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Ignacio $72Quepos $117
The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $72, while the average daily cost in Quepos is $117. 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 San Ignacio and Quepos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Ignacio $19Quepos $77
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Ignacio $38Quepos $154
Compare Hotels in San Ignacio and Quepos
Looking for a hotel in San Ignacio or Quepos? 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: San Ignacio Hotel Prices and Quepos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Ignacio $3.11Quepos $9.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:
- San Ignacio Hotel to Belize City Transfer: $20
- From Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos
Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Manuel Antonio & Quepos one way transfer to SJO hotels - Airport up to 5 people.: $274
- One-Way Private Transfer from Quepos - Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $276
- One-Way Private Transfer from Uvita to Quepos - Manuel Antonio: $140
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Manuel Antonio/Quepos : $300
- Private Transfer From San Jose Airport To Manuel Antonio Beach: $125
- Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Nauyaca: $220
- Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Nauyaca Waterfalls (Round Trip): $199
- Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to San Jose City Hotels: $90
- Private transfer from SJ Airport to Manuel Antonio and vice versa: $230
- Transfer TO or FROM Manuel Antonio, Quepos to SJO Airport - Private (ONE WAY): $105
- Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport and surroundings : $209
Is it cheaper to fly into San Ignacio or Quepos?
Prices for flights to both Quepos and San Ignacio 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 daySan Ignacio $21Quepos $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.
- Xunantunich & Food Tour with local chocolate experience: $150
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Ignacio $100Quepos $17
Tours and Activities in San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Excursions in Cayo with Waterfalls Experience: $174
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour and Picnic: $125
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour from San Ignacio : $120
- Actun Tunichil Muknal with Local Tour guide & Belizean Lunch: $120
- Barton Creek Tour: $98
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $90
- Caracol Maya Ruins Tour Including Rio On Pools, Rio Frio Cave and a Picnic Lunch: $125
- Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $80
- Cave Tubing Adventure at Nohoch Che'en and Jaguar Paw : $115
- Cave Tubing and Zip line Adventure from San Ignacio: $144
- Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
- Deluxe Cave Tubing combo Adventure: $125
Tours and Activities in Quepos
For Quepos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Beach Day Experience in Manuel Antonio: $20
- Manuel Antonio National Park tour : $27
- Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour: $28
- Manuel Antonio National Park Tour: $28
- 2-3-Hour Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour: $30
- Manuel Antonio with Mauro / Tickets not Included! : $30
- Manuel Antonio Park Tour and its Amazing Wildlife and Beaches: $30
- Manuel Antonio National Park Group Guided Tour: $30
- Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour: $30
- Guided Tour in Manuel Antonio National Park!: $35
- Manuel Antonio Jungle Night Tour with pick up included: $39
- Guided hiking Tour by the Mystic Ebano Rainforest in Costa Rica: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Ignacio $17Quepos $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Ignacio and Quepos, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is San Ignacio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Ignacio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Ignacio Expensive? and Is Quepos Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Ignacio or Quepos?
San Ignacio has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio or Quepos?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit San Ignacio or Quepos in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to San Ignacio as well as Quepos. San Ignacio attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Quepos. San Ignacio receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Ignacio usually gets more rain in July than Quepos. San Ignacio gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Ignacio this time of the year. In the summer, San Ignacio often gets more sunshine than Quepos. San Ignacio gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 164 hours of full sun.
In the summer, San Ignacio is around the same temperature as Quepos. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Ignacio in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Quepos averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Ignacio 28°C (82°F)Quepos 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Quepos in the Autumn?
Both Quepos and San Ignacio are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Ignacio throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Quepos. It's quite rainy in San Ignacio. In October, San Ignacio usually receives around the same amount of rain as Quepos. San Ignacio gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
San Ignacio usually receives more sunshine than Quepos during autumn. San Ignacio gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, San Ignacio is generally around the same temperature as Quepos. Daily temperatures in San Ignacio average around 26°C (80°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Ignacio 26°C (80°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Quepos in the Winter?
Both Quepos and San Ignacio during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Ignacio because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. San Ignacio usually gets more rain in January than Quepos. San Ignacio gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Quepos, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, San Ignacio often gets less sunshine than Quepos. San Ignacio gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun.
San Ignacio is cooler than Quepos in the winter. The daily temperature in San Ignacio averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Ignacio 24°C (74°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Quepos in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Ignacio and Quepos. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Ignacio year-round. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, San Ignacio usually receives more rain than Quepos. San Ignacio gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Quepos this time of the year. In San Ignacio, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Ignacio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Quepos during spring. San Ignacio gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, San Ignacio is around the same temperature as Quepos. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Ignacio in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Quepos averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Ignacio 27°C (80°F)Quepos 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Quepos and San Ignacio
| San Ignacio | Quepos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.