A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Brussels vs. Quepos for Couples, Backpackers, Food, and Families

Should you visit Brussels 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 Brussels 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.

Brussels

Brussels is a authentic, colorful, and multicultural city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Brussels travel costs.

Quepos

Quepos is a local, laid-back, and relaxed town. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Quepos travel costs.

Brussels and Quepos: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brussels or Quepos?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Brussels than Quepos, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Brussels is better known for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Quepos is more popular for its resorts and beaches. Brussels is well known for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. Also, Brussels is famous for La Grand Place (Grote Markt). Quepos is well known for its big game sport fishing.

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Brussels different from Quepos?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Brussels is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Quepos is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Brussels specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Popular sights include Saint-Michel Cathedral, Place Royale, and the Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts. The city is filled with impressive architecture, fascinating art museums, and innovative science and technology museums.

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 Brussels or Quepos? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Brussels has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. While the city is most known for its waffles and fries, the diversity of dishes and international restaurant selection continues to grow. There are Lebanese, Japanese, and Indian restaurants among others. Popular local dishes include moules-frites, waterzooi (a stew), and stoemp (made with mashed potatoes and vegetables).

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 Brussels or Quepos Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Brussels and Quepos.

Brussels has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city's nightlife is quieter and more mellow than some other major cities around Europe. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of dance clubs and bars where you can hang out. Keep your wits about you after the sun goes down as some areas are a bit rougher than others.

If you're looking for night time activities Quepos has a few options to choose from. You'll find a few bars and clubs around town, but it is a small town and the selection can be limited.

Is Brussels or Quepos Better for Resorts?

Quepos is a town with a few options for its resorts. However, Brussels is not a resort destination.

Quepos has a few resort options worth checking out. 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.

Brussels is not a resort destination.

Is Brussels or Quepos Better for Beaches?

Quepos is a good destination for its beaches. However, Brussels is not a beach destination.

Quepos offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Brussels is not a beach destination.

Is Brussels or Quepos Better for its Old Town?

Brussels 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 Brussels. The old town in the city center is where you'll find the greatest concentration of historic sights. The area is surrounded by tree-lined boulevards and is easy to explore.

Quepos does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Brussels or Quepos?

Brussels 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 Brussels specifically to go shopping. Although it's famous for diamonds, the city also has many shopping streets where you can find designer brands, vintage shops, and other unique boutiques that are fun to explore.

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

Is Brussels or Quepos Better for Families?

Both Brussels and Quepos are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Brussels is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of unique kid-friendly activities including a Mini-Europe Museum, a Comic Strip Museum, and Train World. The city is also a chocolate lover's dream with many factories and chocolate shops around town.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Quepos is very family-friendly. 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 Brussels or Quepos Better for Couples?

Quepos is renowned for romance. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Quepos is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Brussels is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. From beautiful buildings and museums to shopping, dining, and chocolate shops, there are plenty of romantic spots around town. There's a vibrant nightlife scene and many diverse restaurants that couples can enjoy exploring.

Is Brussels or Quepos Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Quepos is renowned for backpackers. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Quepos is a mecca for backpackers and 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.

Many backpackers visit Brussels. The city has an active nightlife and a number of hostels that are great for backpackers, but do take note that some areas can get a bit rough at night, so make sure you understand where you are.

Is Brussels or Quepos Better for Students?

Brussels is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Quepos is not popular with students.

Brussels is very popular with students. The city has a number of universities that attract students from around the world. The multicultural setting is great for students of the world.

Quepos is not popular with students.

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

Brussels 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 Brussels can get you around easily. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

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 Brussels or Quepos a more walkable city?

Brussels 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.

Brussels is a very walkable destination. If you stay in the historical area, it's easy to walk around and many boulevards are being converted to pedestrian areas.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Quepos or Brussels?

How long in Brussels or Quepos?

It's fun to spend time in either Brussels or Quepos. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Brussels due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Brussels, and 2-4 days is enough time in Quepos.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Brussels 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 Brussels.

One day in Brussels or Quepos?

Brussels is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

The town of Quepos offers nightlife and food. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Brussels or Quepos?

Brussels is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Quepos is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Quepos, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brussels or Quepos?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brussels. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Quepos is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Brussels or Quepos?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the multicultural big city of Brussels. This city 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.

Quepos is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belgium, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Belgium, 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 Brussels and Quepos, we can see that Brussels is more expensive. And not only is Quepos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brussels is in Europe 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 Brussels would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brussels 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 Brussels Expensive? and Is Quepos Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Brussels or Quepos?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Brussels 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 Brussels or Quepos?

Brussels 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 Brussels or Quepos in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Quepos. Many travelers come to Brussels for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.

In July, Brussels is generally much colder than Quepos. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 18°C (65°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In the summer, Brussels often gets more sunshine than Quepos. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 164 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Quepos. Brussels usually gets less rain in July than Quepos. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Quepos in the Autumn?

Both Quepos and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Brussels in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Brussels is much colder than Quepos in the autumn. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Quepos during autumn. Brussels gets 114 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. In October, Brussels usually receives less rain than Quepos. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 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. The hurricane season in Quepos is May to November.

Should I visit Brussels or Quepos in the Winter?

Both Quepos and Brussels during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Brussels for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.

Brussels can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Brussels is much colder than Quepos. Typically, the winter temperatures in Brussels in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Quepos averages at about 27°C (81°F).

In Quepos, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Quepos. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in January than Quepos. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Quepos in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Quepos. The spring months attract visitors to Brussels because of the activities around the city. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Brussels is generally much colder than Quepos. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 10°C (49°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Quepos this time of the year. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Quepos during spring. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Brussels usually receives more rain than Quepos. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 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. May to November is the hurricane season in Quepos.

Typical Weather for Quepos and Brussels