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

Should you visit Tartu or Quepos?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tartu and Quepos can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Tartu

Tartu is a intellectual, student-oriented, and cultural university town. Tartu offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the nightlife. See Tartu travel costs.

Quepos

Quepos is a relaxed, local, and laid-back town. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Quepos travel costs.

Tartu and Quepos: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Quepos?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Quepos. Although Tartu and Quepos are popular destinations, Quepos has more sights and attractions for tourists. Quepos is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Tartu attracts visitors for its nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Quepos is more touristy than Tartu and is known for its big game sport fishing. It is also well known for Manuel Antonio National Park. Tartu is famous for its vibrant student population and long running university.

How is Tartu different from Quepos?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Quepos is mediocre for its historical sights. However, Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Quepos. You won't find much as far as museums go around town.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Quepos is a town with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tartu is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Quepos is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Tartu offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene is surprisingly limited because of the large student population. Most students prefer saving their money for a night out drinking over a quiet meal at a restaurant. There are some cafes around town as well as pastry shops and a few good ethnic restaurants to choose between.

Is Tartu or Quepos Better for Nightlife?

Tartu is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, Quepos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Tartu has a large number of nightlife venues. With its huge student population, there is plenty of activity year round. The nightlife scene includes many bars, dance clubs, and pubs that are popular with students and visitors alike. You'll find large parties and music festivals throughout the year that bring crowds to the city.

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 Tartu or Quepos Better for Resorts?

Quepos is adequate for its luxury resorts. However, Tartu 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.

Tartu is not a resort destination.

Is Tartu or Quepos Better for Beaches?

Quepos is a town with good options for the beach. However, Tartu is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Quepos. 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.

Tartu is not a beach destination.

Is Tartu or Quepos Better for its Old Town?

Tartu is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Quepos does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Tartu. The old town is where you'll find one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. There is also Town Hall Square and St. John’s Quarter with many historic buildings and beautiful architecture.

Quepos does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Quepos?

Quepos is a town with good options for its shopping areas. However, Tartu is not known for shopping.

Quepos has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find boutique shops around town that sell everything from clothing to art.

Tartu is a good destination for shopping. While most people don't visit to go shopping, there is an active art scene in town so you can find some creative pieces that are worth checking out.

Is Tartu or Quepos More Beautiful?

Tartu is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

Tartu offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's a beautiful city with a long history and a number of unique historical buildings.

Quepos is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Tartu or Quepos Better for Families?

Quepos is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Quepos. 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.

Tartu is a family-friendly place to visit. Many of the kid-friendly activities are outdoors, so summer visits are better if you're traveling with children. There are adventure parks, animal parks, and educational museums that you can choose from.

Is Tartu or Quepos Better for Couples?

Quepos is an amazing town to visit for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

Quepos is a great town 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.

Tartu is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a young population, so you'll find many activities center around a more youthful vibe. There are some great museums that couples will enjoy, as well as a lively nightlife scene. Outside of old town, couples will enjoy wandering through the Karlova and Supilinn districts.

Is Tartu or Quepos Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Quepos is an amazing town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Quepos, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Tartu. With it's young population and budget friendly entertainment options, there are many things that backpackers will enjoy. It's not nearly as popular with backpackers as some other cities, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Tartu or Quepos Better for Students?

Tartu 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 Tartu. It is a university town and home to one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. The student population is large here, with many activities, museums, and nightlife options to choose from. There always seems to be something going on in this vibrant city.

Quepos is not popular with students.

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

Tartu and Quepos both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Tartu offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around the town.

Quepos has a few public transit options. There are a number of buses that pass through town. There are also buses that travel between Quepos and Manuel Antonio.

Is Tartu or Quepos a more walkable city?

Tartu 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.

Tartu is a very walkable destination. The city is compact with most of its sights and restaurants close together along a couple of streets.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Quepos or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Quepos?

It's fun to spend time in either Tartu or Quepos. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Quepos due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Tartu, and 2-4 days is enough time in Quepos.

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

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

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

One day in Tartu or Quepos?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Tartu. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Quepos, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this relaxed destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tartu or Quepos?

Tartu 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Quepos. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tartu or Quepos?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tartu. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Quepos is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Quepos. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tartu or Quepos?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the cultural destination of Tartu. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find nightlife and food around the local destination of Quepos. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget Tours to Estonia, The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.

When comparing the travel costs between Tartu and Quepos, we can see that Tartu is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Tartu is in Europe and Quepos is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Quepos?

Tartu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Tartu 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 Tartu or Quepos?

Tartu 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 Tartu or Quepos in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Quepos. Many visitors come to Tartu in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Tartu is much colder than Quepos in the summer. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Quepos fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Tartu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tartu usually receives more sunshine than Quepos during summer. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.

Quepos receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Tartu usually receives less rain than Quepos. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tartu or Quepos in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Quepos. Most visitors come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.

In the autumn, Tartu is much colder than Quepos. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tartu in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Quepos averages at about 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Quepos. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 169 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Quepos. Tartu usually gets less rain in October than Quepos. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in Quepos is the dry season. Also, the hurricane season in Quepos is May to November.

Should I visit Tartu or Quepos in the Winter?

Both Quepos and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Tartu because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The weather in Tartu can be very cold. In January, Tartu is generally much colder than Quepos. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around -7°C (19°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Quepos. Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Quepos during winter. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tartu usually receives more rain than Quepos. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tartu or Quepos in the Spring?

Both Quepos and Tartu during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Tartu this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.

It's quite cold in Tartu in the spring. Tartu is much colder than Quepos in the spring. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Quepos fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

In Quepos, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Quepos. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 255 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets more rain in April than Quepos. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in Quepos. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in Quepos.

Typical Weather for Quepos and Tartu