A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. Quepos for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Sydney or Quepos?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney 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.

Sydney

Sydney is a adventurous, glamorous , and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, Sydney attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Sydney travel costs.

Quepos

Quepos is a relaxed, local, and laid-back town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Quepos travel costs.

Sydney and Quepos: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or Quepos?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sydney. Although Sydney and Quepos are popular destinations, Sydney has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sydney is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Quepos attracts visitors for its resorts. Sydney is more touristy than Quepos and is popular for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. It is also well known for the Sydney Opera House. Quepos is famous for its big game sport fishing.

How is Sydney different from Quepos?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Sydney is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Quepos is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Sydney has many famous sights for visitors. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

Quepos offers a few options for museum-goers. You won't find much as far as museums go around town.

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

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

Sydney has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

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 Sydney or Quepos Better for Nightlife?

Sydney is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

People head to Sydney just to party. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

Quepos has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find a few bars and clubs around town, but it is a small town and the selection can be limited.

Is Sydney or Quepos Better for Resorts?

Quepos is a town with a few options for its resorts. However, Sydney 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.

Sydney is not a resort destination.

Is Sydney or Quepos Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is very good for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Quepos is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Sydney. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Quepos is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sydney or Quepos Better for Beaches?

Sydney is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

With world-famous beaches, Sydney is a very popular vacation destination. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

Quepos has a beach worth visiting. 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 Sydney or Quepos Better for Hiking?

Sydney is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Quepos is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Sydney. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

Quepos is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or Quepos?

Sydney is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Sydney specifically to go shopping. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

Quepos is a great destination for shopping. You'll find boutique shops around town that sell everything from clothing to art.

Is Sydney or Quepos More Beautiful?

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

With stunning beauty, Sydney attracts visitors from all around. The waterfront setting and grand buildings make this a truly beautiful city. It also has a lot of natural beauty with impressive beaches and nice green spaces.

Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sydney or Quepos Better for Families?

Sydney is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Sydney is one of the most popular family destinations. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

Quepos is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Sydney or Quepos Better for Couples?

Sydney and Quepos are both terrific to visit as a couple.

Sydney has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

Quepos is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Is Sydney or Quepos Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney and Quepos are terrific places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sydney is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

Many backpackers frequent Quepos. 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.

Is Sydney or Quepos Better for Students?

Sydney is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Quepos is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Sydney. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

Quepos is not popular with students.

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

Sydney is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Sydney can get you around easily. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

You'll find some public transit in Quepos, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are a number of buses that pass through town. There are also buses that travel between Quepos and Manuel Antonio.

Is Sydney or Quepos a more walkable city?

Sydney is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Sydney is a very walkable destination. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Quepos or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or Quepos?

It's fun to spend time in either Sydney or Quepos. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Sydney due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Sydney, and 2-4 days is enough time in Quepos.

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

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

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

One day in Sydney or Quepos?

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Quepos. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sydney or Quepos?

Sydney is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Quepos 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.

Five days in Sydney or Quepos?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sydney. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

A week in Sydney or Quepos?

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid-back destination of Quepos. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sydney and Quepos, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Quepos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific and Quepos is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Quepos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quepos 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney than you might in Quepos.

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

Which is Bigger, Sydney or Quepos?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 560 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Sydney 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 Sydney or Quepos?

Sydney 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 Sydney or Quepos in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Quepos. Most visitors come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.

Sydney is cooler than Quepos in the summer. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Quepos fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In the summer, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Queposin July. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 164 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Quepos. Sydney receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sydney usually gets less rain in January than Queposin July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Quepos in the Autumn?

Both Quepos and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Sydney because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Sydney is cooler than Quepos. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sydney in April average around 19°C (65°F), and Quepos averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.

Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Quepos during autumn. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Quepos. It's quite rainy in Sydney. In April, Sydney usually receives less rain than Queposin October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Quepos is December to April. May to November in Quepos is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Sydney or Quepos in the Winter?

Both Quepos and Sydney during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sydney this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.

In July, Sydney is generally much colder than Queposin January. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 12°C (53°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Quepos, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the winter, Sydney often gets less sunshine than Queposin January. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun.

Sydney usually gets more rain in July than Queposin January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Quepos in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Quepos. Many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Sydney is much colder than Quepos in the spring. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Quepos fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Quepos this time of the year. In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Quepos during spring. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Sydney usually receives more rain than Queposin April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. December to April in Quepos is the dry season. The hurricane season in Quepos is May to November.

Typical Weather for Quepos and Sydney