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

Should you visit Sosua or Quepos?

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

Should I visit Sosua 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: Sosua or Quepos?

Sosua

Nestled on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Sosua is a charming town renowned for its stunning beaches, rich cultural history, and vibrant nightlife. Originally a quiet fishing village, Sosua transformed during World War II when Jewish refugees settled in the area, bringing with them a unique cultural blend that still influences the town today. With its turquoise waters, lively beachfront, and diverse culinary scene, Sosua offers a mix of relaxation and adventure for all types of travelers.

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 Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Quepos or Sosua?

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 Sosua is $276, 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 Sosua and Quepos in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sosua $145
    Quepos $76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sosua $290
    Quepos $152
Compare Hotels in Sosua and Quepos

Looking for a hotel in Sosua 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 Sosua


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: Sosua Hotel Prices and Quepos Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sosua $50
    Quepos $9.55

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 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

Is it cheaper to fly into Sosua or Quepos?

Prices for flights to both Quepos and Sosua 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
    Sosua $96
    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.
    Sosua $41
    Quepos $17

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
    Sosua $18
    Quepos $15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sosua and Quepos, we can see that Sosua is more expensive. And not only is Quepos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sosua is in Caribbean Islands 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 Sosua would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sosua 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 Sosua Expensive? and Is Quepos Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sosua or Quepos?

Sosua has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Sosua 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.