Which place is cheaper, Quepos or San Jose?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Jose or Quepos?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Jose 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 Jose or Quepos?
San Jose
San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica and is likely to be your first and last stop in a visit to the country. The city is situated in the Central Valley and is surrounded by beautiful mountains and valleys, making for a beautiful flight in. The city has an elevation of 1200 meters and sits on a plateau with a beautiful backdrop of lush green forest. Half of the people in Costa Rica reside in the country's capital city. You are likely to stay only a day or two, but there are a handful of things to do and see including museums and markets. You will also find many embassies, as well as the University of Costa Rica in San Jose.
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 Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Jose $90Quepos $117
The average daily cost (per person) in San Jose is $90, 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 Jose and Quepos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Jose $49Quepos $77
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Jose $98Quepos $154
Compare Hotels in San Jose and Quepos
Looking for a hotel in San Jose 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 Jose Hotel Prices and Quepos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Jose $19Quepos $9.56
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Jose
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Jose are as follows:
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Taxi from SJO$25
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Local Bus$2.72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers to Occidental Papagayo - Secrets Resort, Round-Trip: $130
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from SanJose Juan Santamaría Airport to SanJose City: $39
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from SanJose City to SanJose Juan Santamaría Airport: $39
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $189
- Transfer from SJO Airport to Jaco or vice versa: $125
- Transfer TO & FROM SJO Airport to Esterillos - Bejuco Not Shared.: $180
- Transfer SJO Airport to Hotels nearby or Vice versa Private 6 PAX: $45
- Transfer From San Jose to Puerto Viejo: $80
- Shuttle & transfer rides to Jaco beach: $137
- Shared transfer to Manuel Antonio: $70
- San Jose to Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) – Departure Private Transfer: $31
- San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) to Monteverde- Roundtrip Private Transfer: $174
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos
Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport and surroundings : $209
- Transfer TO or FROM Manuel Antonio, Quepos to SJO Airport - Private (ONE WAY): $105
- Shuttle Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San Jose: $60
- Private transfer from SJ Airport to Manuel Antonio and vice versa: $230
- Private transfer from Manuel Antonio Quepos to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport: $269
- Private Transfer from Quepos Port to Liberia Int Airport (LIR): $87
- Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to San Jose City Hotels: $90
- Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport or Hotels: $230
- Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Nauyaca Waterfalls (Round Trip): $199
- Private Transfer From San Jose Airport To Manuel Antonio Beach: $125
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Manuel Antonio/Quepos : $300
- Private One Way Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San José (Airport SJO): $210
Is it cheaper to fly into San Jose or Quepos?
Prices for flights to both Quepos and San Jose 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 Jose $18Quepos $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Jose
For San Jose, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bites and Sights: Walking Food Tour in San Jose : $34
- Tropical Cooking Classes: $52
- San Jose By Night Tour: Farm to Table Dinner & Cocktails Classes: $57
- San Jose Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour and visit Gold Museum : $60
- Explore San Jose By Night: Food and Culture Tour with Local Dinner: $67
- Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup: $76
- Private Authentic Food Tour in San José: $84
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $179
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
- Cooking Class in Manuel Antonio with Medicinal Plants Garden Visit: $77
- 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
- Manuel Antonio Local Cooking Class with Botanical Garden Tour: $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Jose $21Quepos $17
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore San Jose on Foot: Food Delights and Sights Tour: $39
- Poas Volcano National Park Tour and Bird watching in Costa Rica: $205
- 2-Hour Orosi Nocturnal Tour: $33
- 3 in 1 Eco Tour Rain Forest Aerial Tram, River Cruise & Nature Walk Private Tour: $299
- 6 in 1 RainForest Adventure From San Jose: $189
- A taste of Aquiares - 2 hours Coffee Tour: $42
- AERIAL TRAM TOUR - HALF DAY PASS Rainforest Adventures Braulio Ca: $78
- AWA Water Museum - Waterfall Adventure (Organic Food Experience): $98
- Arenal Volcano & Baldi Hot Springs one day tour from San Jose: $199
- Arenal Volcano Eco Tour & Baldi Hot Springs Private Tour from San Jose: $285
- Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose: $159
- Arenal Volcano Hike and Hot Springs Tour from San Jose: $142
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
- 4-Hour ATV Adventure in Naranjito: $80
- 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
- Birding at El Rey. (Marshes,rice fields,canals) Private Birding Tour : $120
- Birdwatching Manuel Antonio/ El Rey. (Marshes,rice fields,canals) Group Tour : $129
- Birdwatching Tour: $120
- Birdwatching Tour: $130
- Canopy Tour From Manuel Antonio: $116
- Catamaran Adventure From Manuel Antonio: $116
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Jose $17Quepos $15
Sample the Local Flavors in San Jose
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
- Bar Crawl in Downtown San Jose: $38
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $85
- Bar Crawl in San Jose in a Deluxe Party Bus: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Jose and Quepos, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Jose would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Jose 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 Jose.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Jose Expensive? and Is Quepos Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Jose or Quepos?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of San Jose 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 Jose or Quepos?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit San Jose or Quepos in the Summer?
Both Quepos and San Jose are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose 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 Jose. In July, San Jose usually receives around the same amount of rain as Quepos. San Jose gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
San Jose usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Quepos during summer. San Jose gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, San Jose is generally around the same temperature as Quepos. Daily temperatures in San Jose average around 28°C (82°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Jose 28°C (82°F)Quepos 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Quepos in the Autumn?
Both Quepos and San Jose during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.
Quepos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. San Jose usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Quepos. San Jose gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, San Jose often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Quepos. San Jose gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 169 hours of full sun.
San Jose is around the same temperature as Quepos in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Jose averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Jose 27°C (81°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Quepos in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Jose and Quepos. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, San Jose usually receives around the same amount of rain as Quepos. San Jose gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Quepos this time of the year. In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Jose usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Quepos during winter. San Jose gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, San Jose is around the same temperature as Quepos. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Jose in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Quepos averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Jose 27°C (81°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Quepos in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Jose as well as Quepos. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.
San Jose usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Quepos. San Jose gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Quepos. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. In the spring, San Jose often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Quepos. San Jose gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 255 hours of full sun.
In April, San Jose is generally around the same temperature as Quepos. Daily temperatures in San Jose average around 29°C (85°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Jose 29°C (85°F)Quepos 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Quepos and San Jose
| San Jose | Quepos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.