Which city is cheaper, Quepos or San Juan del Sur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Juan del Sur vs. Quepos for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit San Juan del Sur or Quepos?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for San Juan del Sur and Quepos. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: San Juan del Sur or Quepos?
San Juan del Sur
San Juan del Sur is a popular port destination on the Pacific coast of southwest Nicaragua. The town was once a quaint fishing village but has grown into a tourist town with activities for visitors that include surfing, fishing, and, of course, partying. The town has a population of just over 15,000, most of whom are either fishermen or involved in the tourism industry. There is also a large expat community from the United States, Canada, and Europe.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan del Sur $43Quepos $84
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan del Sur is $43, while the average daily cost in Quepos is $84. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for San Juan del Sur and Quepos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan del Sur $17Quepos $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan del Sur $34Quepos $108
Compare Hotels in San Juan del Sur and Quepos
Looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur 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 Juan del Sur Hotel Prices and Quepos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan del Sur $14Quepos $6.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan del Sur
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Juan del Sur:
- One-Way Private Transfer from San Juan del Sur to Managua: $146
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos
Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Manuel Antonio to SJO International Airport - Private Transfer: $209
- One-Way Private Transfer from Quepos - Manuel Antonio to La Fortuna: $333
- One-Way Private Transfer from Quepos - Manuel Antonio to Puerto Jiménez: $333
- One-Way Private Transfer from Uvita to Quepos - Manuel Antonio: $140
- Private Transfer From Manuel Antonio To La Fortuna From 1 to 6 passengers: $275
- Private Transfer From Manuel Antonio To La Fortuna From 11 to 15 passengers: $453
- Private Transfer From Manuel Antonio To La Fortuna From 7 to 10 passengers: $289
- Private transfer from Manuel Antonio Quepos to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport: $201
- Private transfer from Uvita to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport: $234
- Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Puerto Viejo Limón: $490
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan del Sur or Quepos?
Prices for flights to both Quepos and San Juan del Sur 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 Juan del Sur $15Quepos $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Juan del Sur
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Juan del Sur.
- Food Tour - Nicaragua Gastronomy: $102
Typical Food prices in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$13
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Seafood Dinner (for 1)$18
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan del Sur $12Quepos $12
Tours and Activities in San Juan del Sur
Here are a few actual costs in San Juan del Sur for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Tour: $103
- Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur: $159
- SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $100
- San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour: $201
Tours and Activities in Quepos
For Quepos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Manuel Antonio National Park Tour with pick up included: $25
- Private Hiking, Nature and Discovery Tour in Quepos: $28
- Private Tour to Manuel Antonio Park and it's Amazing Wildlife: $33
- Manuel Antonio with Mauro / FULLY PRIVATE TOUR: $35
- Espadilla Private Reserve jungle night tour with pick up included: $39
- Manuel Antonio Jungle Night Research Experience in Costa Rica: $50
- Sloth Tour Manuel Antonio National Park: $50
- guided community tour (certified): $54
- Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour: $56
- Damas Island Boat tour: $56
- Manuel Antonio National Park Tour: $56
- Jungle Night Tour: $58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan del Sur $11Quepos $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan del Sur and Quepos, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Juan del Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan del Sur 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 Juan del Sur.
When is the best time to visit San Juan del Sur or Quepos?
Both destinations experience a warmer tropical 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 Juan del Sur or Quepos in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to San Juan del Sur as well as Quepos. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Quepos. San Juan del Sur receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Juan del Sur usually gets less rain in July than Quepos. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, San Juan del Sur often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Quepos. San Juan del Sur gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 164 hours of full sun.
In the summer, San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Quepos. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Juan del Sur in July are around 27°C (81°F), and Quepos is about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)Quepos 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Quepos in the Autumn?
Both Quepos and San Juan del Sur are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Quepos. It's quite rainy in San Juan del Sur. In October, San Juan del Sur usually receives less rain than Quepos. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
San Juan del Sur usually receives more sunshine than Quepos during autumn. San Juan del Sur gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, San Juan del Sur is generally around the same temperature as Quepos. Temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 27°C (81°F), and Quepos stays around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Quepos in the Winter?
Both Quepos and San Juan del Sur during the winter are popular places to visit. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.
San Juan del Sur usually gets less rain in January than Quepos. San Juan del Sur gets 4 mm (0.2 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. It's quite sunny in San Juan del Sur. In the winter, San Juan del Sur often gets less sunshine than Quepos. San Juan del Sur gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun.
San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Quepos in the winter. The temperature in San Juan del Sur is usually 26°C (79°F) in January, and Quepos stays around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Quepos in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan del Sur and Quepos. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.
In April, San Juan del Sur usually receives less rain than Quepos. San Juan del Sur gets 6 mm (0.2 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 Juan del Sur, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan del Sur usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Quepos during spring. San Juan del Sur gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Quepos. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Juan del Sur in April are around 29°C (84°F), and Quepos is about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)Quepos 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Quepos and San Juan del Sur
| San Juan del Sur | Quepos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
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