Which place is cheaper, Quepos or Vientiane?
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 Vientiane or Quepos?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane 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: Vientiane or Quepos?
Vientiane
You wouldn't expect the capital city to have such a relaxing environment, but in Vientiane, Laos you can sit back and take in the beautiful scenery without feeling pressure to see every little thing. With Vientiane, what you see is what you get.
While picturesque temples and markets line the streets, the city is still experiencing a successful building boom. Even the Presidential Palace has undergone some hefty renovations.
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 Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesQuepos Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Quepos $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Quepos is $139. 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 Vientiane and Quepos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Quepos $76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Quepos $152
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Quepos
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane 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: Vientiane Hotel Prices and Quepos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Quepos $9.55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
- Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos
Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: SJO Airport to/from Manuel Antonio (One Way): $99
- Private Transfer: SJO Airport to Manuel Antonio with Scenic Stop.: $203
- Private One Way Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San José (Airport SJO): $220
- Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport and surroundings : $229
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Quepos?
Prices for flights to both Quepos and Vientiane 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 dayVientiane $12Quepos $51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Vientiane classic Food tour ( Included Food ): $78
- Night Market, Dinner, and Nightclub: $90
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour and Lunch: $95
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
- Cooking Class Garden House: $335
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:
- Cooking Class in Manuel Antonio with Medicinal Plants Garden Visit: $77
- Cooking Class & Medicinal Plants Garden Manuel Antonio: $77
- Night Mangrove Safari Boat Tour with Dinner | Manuel Antonio: $79
- Local Flavor Cooking Experience: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Quepos $17
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Vientiane Cultural Tour with Private Guide: $110
- 1-Day Tour to Vang Vieng with Private Guide: $200
- 1-Day Vientiane City Adventure: Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $110
- From Plain of Jars Tour & Homestay: $1,650
- From Vang Vieng 2-Day Tour with Blue Lagoon: $443
- From Vang Vieng Tour with Cave Kayak & Zipline: $113
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $99
- Half Day Private Tour in City Highlights: $120
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $90
- Lao Arts Museum & City Highlights Tour with Lunch: $122
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $30
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $30
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 Guided Tour: $25
- Quepos Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour: $26
- Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour: $27
- Manuel Antonio Park: Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour: $27
- 2-3-Hour Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour: $28
- Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour: $29
- Manuel Antonio National Park guided tour : $29
- Guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park: $29
- Manuel Antonio Park Tour and its Amazing Wildlife and Beaches: $30
- Manuel Antonio National Park guided Tour: $30
- Manuel Antonio with Mauro / Tickets not Included! : $30
- Manuel Antonio National Park: Guided Tour with Beach Time: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Quepos $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Quepos, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vientiane is in Asia 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 Vientiane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vientiane 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 Vientiane.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vientiane Expensive? and Is Quepos Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Quepos?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane 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 Vientiane or Quepos?
Both destinations experience a warmer 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 Vientiane or Quepos in the Summer?
Both Quepos and Vientiane during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane 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 Vientiane. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Quepos. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Quepos. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 164 hours of full sun.
In July, Vientiane is generally around the same temperature as Quepos. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Quepos 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Quepos in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Quepos. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in Quepos is the dry season. The hurricane season in Quepos is May to November. Quepos receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Quepos. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Quepos during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Vientiane is around the same temperature as Quepos in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Quepos in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Quepos. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.
Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Quepos. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 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 Vientiane this time of the year. In the winter, Vientiane often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Quepos. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Vientiane is cooler than Quepos. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Quepos averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Quepos in the Spring?
Both Quepos and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Quepos is December to April. May to November is the hurricane season in Quepos. In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Quepos. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Quepos. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Quepos during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Vientiane is generally around the same temperature as Quepos. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Quepos 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Quepos and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Quepos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.