Which place is cheaper, Quepos or Veracruz?
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 Veracruz or Quepos?
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 Veracruz and Quepos can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Veracruz or Quepos?
Veracruz
Veracruz is the name of both a state and city in the country of Mexico. Locals often call the city "Puerto" (port) in order to differentiate the city from the state. The general area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses ruins, old colonial cities, lush green mountains, and delicious seafood.
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 from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.
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Veracruz Prices
Mexico PricesQuepos Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVeracruz $143Quepos $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Veracruz is $143, 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 Veracruz and Quepos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVeracruz $49Quepos $76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVeracruz $98Quepos $152
Compare Hotels in Veracruz and Quepos
Looking for a hotel in Veracruz 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: Veracruz Hotel Prices and Quepos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Veracruz $26Quepos $9.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Veracruz
Also for Veracruz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Veracruz Airport to Hotel in Veracruz Port: $42
- Shared Arrival Transfer: General Heriberto Jara International Airport to Veracruz Hotels: $23
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Veracruz Airport (VER): $37
- Private Transfer to Veracruz Airport (VER): $18
- Private Transfer from Veracruz Airport (VER): $18
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 Veracruz or Quepos?
Prices for flights to both Quepos and Veracruz 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 dayVeracruz $78Quepos $51
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.Veracruz $13Quepos $17
Tours and Activities in Veracruz
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Veracruz.
- 1 day tour of Tlacotalpan and Alvarado from Veracruz: $127
- 3-hour tour to the San Juan de Ulúa Fortress: $23
- Alvarado And Tlacotalpan Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $105
- Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark: Veracruz - Ticket: $25
- Catemaco And Los Tuxtlas Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $105
- City Tour en Veracruz y Acuario: $100
- Full Day Coffee Guided Tour in Coatepec: $98
- Full Day Tour to Alvarado and Tlacotalpan from Veracruz or Boca del Río: $92
- Full Day Tour to Catemaco and Los Tuxtlas with Transportation: $92
- Full Day Tour to La Antigua, Cempoala and Quiahuiztlán: $87
- Full-Day Tour to El Tajin and Vanilla Factory from Veracruz: $138
- Jalcomulco Rapids Adventure from Veracruz or Boca del Río: $141
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVeracruz $16Quepos $15
When comparing the travel costs between Veracruz and Quepos, we can see that Veracruz 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 Veracruz is in North America 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 Veracruz Expensive? and Is Quepos Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Veracruz or Quepos?
Veracruz has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Veracruz 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 Veracruz or Quepos?
Veracruz 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 Veracruz or Quepos in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Veracruz and Quepos. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Veracruz is around the same temperature as Quepos. Typically, the summer temperatures in Veracruz in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Quepos averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In Veracruz, it's very sunny this time of the year. Veracruz usually receives more sunshine than Quepos during summer. Veracruz gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
Quepos receives a lot of rain in the summer. Veracruz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Veracruz usually receives more rain than Quepos. Veracruz gets 410 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVeracruz 27°C (81°F)Quepos 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or Quepos in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Veracruz as well as Quepos. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.
In October, Veracruz is generally around the same temperature as Quepos. Daily temperatures in Veracruz average around 26°C (79°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Veracruz often gets more sunshine than Quepos. Veracruz gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Quepos. Veracruz receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Veracruz usually gets less rain in October than Quepos. Veracruz gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in Quepos is the dry season. Also, May to November in Quepos is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVeracruz 26°C (79°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or Quepos in the Winter?
Both Quepos and Veracruz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Veracruz is cooler than Quepos in the winter. The daily temperature in Veracruz averages around 21°C (71°F) in January, and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Quepos. Veracruz usually receives less sunshine than Quepos during winter. Veracruz gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Veracruz usually receives more rain than Quepos. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVeracruz 21°C (71°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or Quepos in the Spring?
Both Quepos and Veracruz during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.
In the spring, Veracruz is cooler than Quepos. Typically, the spring temperatures in Veracruz in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Quepos averages at about 29°C (85°F).
In Quepos, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Veracruz. In the spring, Veracruz often gets less sunshine than Quepos. Veracruz gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 255 hours of full sun.
Veracruz usually gets less rain in April than Quepos. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 28 mm (1.1 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVeracruz 26°C (78°F)Quepos 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Quepos and Veracruz
| Veracruz | Quepos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (71°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (71°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (74°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 410 mm (16.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 346 mm (13.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (76°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 27 mm (1.1 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.