Which place is cheaper, Quepos or San Pedro La Laguna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit San Pedro La Laguna or Quepos?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Pedro La Laguna or Quepos? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: San Pedro La Laguna or Quepos?
San Pedro La Laguna
Located in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, Lake Atitlan is a beautiful volcanic lake ringed by small towns and villages that are highly frequented by backpackers. Panajachal is one of the best known of the towns, as well as the main entry point of the region, while others like San Pedro La Laguna are quieter and more off the beaten path. Lake Atitlan and its villages attract visitors for its scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and Mayan culture nearby.
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 Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala, The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.
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San Pedro La Laguna Prices
Guatemala PricesQuepos Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Pedro La Laguna $45Quepos $153
The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro La Laguna is $45, while the average daily cost in Quepos is $153. 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 Pedro La Laguna and Quepos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Pedro La Laguna $8.38Quepos $84
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Pedro La Laguna $17Quepos $168
Compare Hotels in San Pedro La Laguna and Quepos
Looking for a hotel in San Pedro La Laguna 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: Quepos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Pedro La Laguna $13Quepos $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro La Laguna
Also for San Pedro La Laguna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from SanPedro Lago de Atitlan and airport Guatemala: $50
- Shared Transfer from Panajachel Atitlan to Guatemala City: $50
- Private transfer from Panajachel to Antigua Guatemala: $75
- Private transfer from Panajachel to Airport or Capital city: $78
- Private Transfer from Lake Atitlán to Guatemala Airport (GUA): $96
- Private One Way Transfer Lake Atitlán to Antigua Guatemala: $74
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos
Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Puntarenas city to Juan Santamaria Intl Airport(SJO)-Departure Private Transfer: $104
- Private transfer from Manuel Antonio Quepos to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport: $269
- Private Transfer: Manuel Antonio Beach: $300
- Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to Liberia City Hotels: $257
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Manuel Antonio: $88
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Manuel Antonio: $88
- Private Transfer FROM or TO Manuel Antonio - Sierpe: $209
- Private One Way Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San José (Airport SJO): $110
- Private One Way Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Arenal La Fortuna: $195
- Private Airport Transfer to Manuel Antonio: $250
- One-Way Private Transfer from Uvita to Quepos - Manuel Antonio: $140
- One-Way Private Transfer from Quepos - Manuel Antonio to the Sierpe: $213
Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro La Laguna or Quepos?
Prices for flights to both Quepos and San Pedro La Laguna 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 Pedro La Laguna $19Quepos $56
Typical Food Prices in San Pedro La Laguna
For San Pedro La Laguna, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lemonade$2.10
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Cake$1.31
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Ice cream$0.39
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Hot Cocoa & Banana Bread$3.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro La Laguna
For San Pedro La Laguna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Temazcal sauna and dinner, cultural sharing experience: $60
- Maya Cooking Class from Panajachel: $66
Typical Food Prices in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$16
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Seafood Dinner (for 1)$22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 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 Pedro La Laguna $22Quepos $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro La Laguna
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro La Laguna's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Canopy Tour (for 2)$39
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Kayaking (for 2)$1.97
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Coffee Tour (for 2)$7.08
Tours and Activities in San Pedro La Laguna
For San Pedro La Laguna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 5-Hour Private Birdwatching Experience in San Juan La Laguna: $50
- Authentic local experience with a community of women: $73
- Authentic tour of Mayan art and culture in Lake Atitlan: $57
- Beading Class and tour a Non-profit vocational training center a Fun cultural sharing experience: $28
- Bicycle Tour Around Lake Atitlan with Weaving Coops and Coffee Plantations: $118
- Chichicastenango Market Day Tour from Panajachel: $120
- Coffee Walk Tour in San Juan La Laguna: $35
- Coffee, Chocolate and Textile Tour in Lake Atitlan: $35
- Full Day Tour to Chichicastenango from Panajachel: $160
- Half-Day Private Indian Nose Peak Tour from Lake Atitlan: $140
- Half-Day Scenic Bicycle Tour from Panajachel: $71
- Horseback Riding Tour in San Pedro La Laguna: $67
Tours and Activities in Quepos
For Quepos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Hour Kayak Tour in Quepos: $85
- 2-Hour Kayak Tour in Quepos Mangroves – See Monkeys & Sloths: $65
- Adventure to Natural Wonders on the Pacific Coast: $130
- All Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure from Manuel Antonio: $86
- All Inclusive Zip line & Catamaran Eco Adventure: $170
- All-Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure with Lunch: $93
- All-Inclusive Jungle Night Tour: $59
- Barista Experience Workshop: $120
- Barista Experience Workshop: $120
- Barista Experience Workshop: $120
- Birding at El Rey. (Marshes,rice fields,canals) Private Birding Tour: $120
- Birdwatching Manuel Antonio/ El Rey. (Marshes,rice fields,canals) Group Tour: $129
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Pedro La Laguna $5.68Quepos $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Pedro La Laguna and Quepos, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is San Pedro La Laguna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Pedro La Laguna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Pedro La Laguna 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 Pedro La Laguna.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Pedro La Laguna Expensive? and Is Quepos Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Pedro La Laguna or Quepos?
San Pedro La Laguna has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro La Laguna 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.
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.