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

Should you visit Quepos or Cartagena?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Quepos and Cartagena can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Quepos or Cartagena?

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.

Cartagena

The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Quepos?

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 Quepos is $139, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $55. 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 Quepos and Cartagena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Quepos $76
    Cartagena $27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Quepos $152
    Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Quepos and Cartagena

Looking for a hotel in Quepos or Cartagena? 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 Quepos


Hotels in Cartagena


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: Quepos Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Quepos $9.55
    Cartagena $7.46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos

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

  • Private One Way Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San José (Airport SJO): $220
  • Private Transfer: SJO Airport to Manuel Antonio with Scenic Stop.: $203
  • Private Transfer: SJO Airport to/from Manuel Antonio (One Way): $99
  • Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport and surroundings : $229

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:

  • Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
  • Transportation / Transfers: $27
  • Transfers from the Airport to Hotels in Cartagena: $10
  • Transfer to Exclusive Beach Club in the Rosario Islands.: $150
  • Transfer speedboat round trip Cartagena Islas del Rosario: $40
  • Transfer service in Cartagena: $53
  • Transfer Private Airport - Manzanillo del Mar: $30
  • Transfer Privado del Aeropuerto de Cartagena (CTG) al Hotel: $35
  • Transfer Cartagena : $53
  • The best private Transfer from/to Cartagena airport. ONE WAY : $23
  • Roundtrip Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG)-Manzanillo / Baru: $32
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG): $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Quepos or Cartagena?

Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Quepos 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
    Quepos $51
    Cartagena $17
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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.

  • Cartagena Fritters Cooking Class – by Lunático Experience: $23
  • Street food tour Cartagena: $40
  • Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $42
  • Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $44
  • Traditional cooking class in a restaurant in the historic center: $45
  • Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $47
  • Flavors of Colombia: Cooking Class with Chef Andrés: $52
  • Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $52
  • Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
  • Food Tour of the Old City Flavors and Culture: $59
  • Dinner Cruise Along Cartagena's Bay: $60
  • Cartagena Island Dinner (Island of Tierra Bomba): $60

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Quepos $17
    Cartagena $21

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

Tours and Activities in Cartagena

Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Cartagena City Tour & Convento de la Popa (AM): $40
  • Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
  • Palmarito Tour with Private Beach, Pools and Full Food: $66
  • Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $43
  • Private city tour: $197
  • Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $170
  • Walking Tour of Cartagena Including a Colombian Cup of Coffee: $160
  • 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
  • 2 hrs Tour in Cartagena Bay with Sunset View: $30
  • 2-Hour Cartagena Bay Tour: $30
  • 2-Hour Color and Art Tour in Getsemani: $65
  • 2-Hour Private Tour of Bazurto Market: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Quepos $15
    Cartagena $9.17

Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena

Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Open Bar Sunset Cruise with Bar Crawl After Party: $16
  • Group Night Experience: Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $21
  • Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $21
  • Getsemaní Pub Crawl with Shots and Dance Class: $22
  • Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $24
  • Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
  • Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
  • Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
  • Centro Histórico Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $29
  • Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
  • Pub Crawl-Last Call For Alcohol-Cartagena Night Tour (Bar/Club) : $50
  • Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $60


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quepos and Cartagena, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Quepos is in Central America and Cartagena is in South 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 Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Cartagena.

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


Which is Bigger, Quepos or Cartagena?

Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Quepos and Cartagena, 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 Quepos or Cartagena?

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 Quepos or Cartagena in the Summer?

Both Cartagena and Quepos during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Quepos. Quepos usually gets more rain in July than Cartagena. Quepos gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Quepos often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Quepos gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.

In July, Quepos is generally around the same temperature as Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 28°C (82°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Quepos 28°C (82°F) 
    Cartagena 29°C (84°F)

Should I visit Quepos or Cartagena in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Quepos and Cartagena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round. Cartagena 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. Cartagena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Quepos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Quepos usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Quepos gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Quepos usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena during autumn. Quepos gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Quepos is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Quepos averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Quepos 27°C (81°F) 
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Quepos or Cartagena in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Quepos as well as Cartagena. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.

Quepos usually gets less rain in January than Cartagena. Quepos gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Quepos this time of the year. In the winter, Quepos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena. Quepos gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Quepos is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Quepos in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Quepos 27°C (81°F) 
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Quepos or Cartagena in the Spring?

Both Cartagena and Quepos are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena 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, Quepos usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Quepos gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Quepos. Quepos usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during spring. Quepos gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Quepos is generally around the same temperature as Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 29°C (85°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Quepos 29°C (85°F) 
    Cartagena 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Cartagena and Quepos

Quepos Cartagena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 29°C (84°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 29°C (85°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 226 mm (8.9 in) 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 226 mm (8.9 in) 29°C (84°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 29°C (84°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 289 mm (11.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 328 mm (12.9 in) 29°C (84°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 254 mm (10 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 121 mm (4.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)