A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Gothenburg vs. Quepos for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Gothenburg or Quepos?

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

Should I visit Gothenburg 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: Gothenburg or Quepos?

Gothenburg

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden with a population of about 500,000. It is located on the western coast at the edge of the Gota River. It's a very friendly and welcoming city with a great vibe. Part of its energy comes from the Gothenburg University, which, with over 60,000 students, is the largest university in the country. Historically, Gothenburg has working class roots which are still apparent today, particularly in the city's harbour area. Recently there has been a growing number of expensive restaurants and cafes, showing that the demographic continues to evolve.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden, The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Quepos or Gothenburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $145, 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 Gothenburg and Quepos in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gothenburg $46
    Quepos $76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gothenburg $92
    Quepos $152
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Quepos

Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg 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.

Hotels in Gothenburg


Hotels in Quepos


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: Gothenburg Hotel Prices and Quepos Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gothenburg $21
    Quepos $9.55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg

Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $71
  • Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $162
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
  • Ostersund Private Transfer from Ostersund (OSD) airport to central Ostersund: $115
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $17
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $17
  • City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $128
  • Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $80
  • Gothenburg Airport: Transfer to City center of Gothenburg: $74
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $216
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Arrival Private Transfer: $108
  • Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $108

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos

Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport and surroundings : $229
  • 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

Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Quepos?

Prices for flights to both Quepos and Gothenburg 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Gothenburg $76
    Quepos $51

Typical Food Prices in Quepos

For Quepos, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch
    $15
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gothenburg $18
    Quepos $17

Tours and Activities in Gothenburg

For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Archipelago Tour with guide Gothenburg: $48
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $108
  • Bike Tour Gothenburg, Guided Bicycle Tours: $66
  • City Kayak Tour: $53
  • City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $37
  • Eila's Time Travels: A Lycksele Family Walking Tour Game: $8.59
  • Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $48
  • Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $70
  • Fatbike Experience in Sorsele: $131
  • Gothenburg - Private guided tour: $586
  • Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $36
  • Gothenburg : Must-See Attractions Walking Tour: $123

Tours and Activities in Quepos

For Quepos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 10 in 1 Tour! Zip Lines, Rappels, Tarzan Swing, Waterfalls & More: $158
  • 2-3-Hour Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour: $28
  • 2-Hour Kayak Tour in Quepos Mangroves – See Monkeys & Sloths: $65
  • ATV Tour Half Day Trip From Manuel Antonio: $93
  • All Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure from Manuel Antonio: $88
  • All-Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure with Lunch: $93
  • All-Inclusive Full day Waterfall Adventure: $117
  • All-Inclusive Jungle Night Tour: $59
  • Canopy Tour From Manuel Antonio: $121
  • Catamaran Adventure From Manuel Antonio: $121
  • Catamaran Cruise from Manuel Antonio with Snorkeling: $98
  • Chocolate Experience, Waterfall and Cultural Lunch in local home.: $135

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gothenburg $24
    Quepos $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Gothenburg

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gothenburg:

  • Guided Brewery Tour on Bicycle: $66


When comparing the travel costs between Gothenburg and Quepos, we can see that Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg Expensive? and Is Quepos Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Quepos?

Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg or Quepos?

Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg or Quepos in the Summer?

Both Quepos and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Gothenburg is much colder than Quepos in the summer. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Quepos fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gothenburg. Gothenburg usually receives more sunshine than Quepos during summer. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Quepos. In July, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Quepos. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gothenburg 16°C (61°F) 
    Quepos 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Quepos in the Autumn?

Both Quepos and Gothenburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.

In the autumn, Gothenburg is much colder than Quepos. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gothenburg in October average around 9°C (47°F), and Quepos averages at about 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Quepos. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 169 hours of full sun.

Quepos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Gothenburg usually gets less rain in October than Quepos. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in Quepos. Also, the hurricane season in Quepos is May to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gothenburg 9°C (47°F) 
    Quepos 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Quepos in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Quepos. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Gothenburg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Quepos. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around -2°C (29°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Quepos this time of the year. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Quepos during winter. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Quepos. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gothenburg -2°C (29°F) 
    Quepos 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Quepos in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Quepos. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.

Gothenburg is much colder than Quepos in the spring. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Quepos fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Quepos. In the spring, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Quepos. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 255 hours of full sun.

Gothenburg usually gets more rain in April than Quepos. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in Quepos is the dry season. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in Quepos.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gothenburg 5°C (41°F) 
    Quepos 29°C (85°F)

Typical Weather for Quepos and Gothenburg

Gothenburg Quepos
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Feb -2°C (29°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 28°C (83°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 1°C (34°F) 50 mm (2 in) 29°C (84°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 29°C (85°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
May 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in) 29°C (83°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 77 mm (3 in) 26°C (79°F) 289 mm (11.4 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 328 mm (12.9 in)
Oct 9°C (47°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 254 mm (10 in)
Nov 4°C (38°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 75 mm (3 in) 27°C (81°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)