Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Akureyri?
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 Akureyri or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or San Jose, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Akureyri or San Jose?
Akureyri
Akureyri is the largest town in the northern region of Iceland, and is often considered the unofficial capital of the north. The town is a popular fishing port and is often used as a basecamp for visiting the more rural surrounding area. Akureyri is known for their great art scene, beautiful architecture, and stunning natural scenery.
San Jose
San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica and is likely to be your first and last stop in a visit to the country. The city is situated in the Central Valley and is surrounded by beautiful mountains and valleys, making for a beautiful flight in. The city has an elevation of 1200 meters and sits on a plateau with a beautiful backdrop of lush green forest. Half of the people in Costa Rica reside in the country's capital city. You are likely to stay only a day or two, but there are a handful of things to do and see including museums and markets. You will also find many embassies, as well as the University of Costa Rica in San Jose.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Akureyri Prices
Iceland PricesSan Jose Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $191San Jose $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $191, while the average daily cost in San Jose is $103. 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 Akureyri and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $103San Jose $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $206San Jose $98
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or San Jose? 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: Akureyri Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $23San Jose $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $126
- Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Jose
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Jose are as follows:
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Taxi from SJO$25
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Local Bus$2.72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: San José Airport to Puerto Viejo / Cahuita : $275
- Private Transfer: San José Hotels to SJO Airport: $95
- Airport transfer from SJO Airport to Los Sueños Marriott: $185
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport SJO to Arenal by Minivan: $205
- Braulio Carrillo 6 in 1 Full Day Pass with Optional Transfer: $112
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Cahuita, English Speaking Driver: $262
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Limon, English Speaking Driver: $209
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Monteverde, English Speaking Driver: $196
- Direct transfer from San Jose to La Fortuna, English Speaking Driver: $167
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Arrival Private Transfer: $143
- Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO) to San Jose - Private Transfer: $76
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Puntarenas city- Arrival Private Transfer: $105
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Akureyri 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 dayAkureyri $71San Jose $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Jose
For San Jose, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour including Markets: $29
- San Jose Cooking Classes visit Central Market: $52
- San Jose By Night: Farm to Table Dinner, Cooking & Cocktail Class: $59
- Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup: $78
- San Jose By Night: Sights & Culture Tour with Local Dinner : $80
- Dinner + Typical dance show at the best viewpoint in San José: $92
- Street Food Tour in San Jose with a Local Guide: $113
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $18San Jose $21
Tours and Activities in Akureyri
Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Akureyri Cruise Port: Mývatn Lakes, Waterfalls & Nature Trip: $282
- Akureyri Guided E-Bike Tour: $167
- Akureyri Port: Dettifoss, Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn Tour: $229
- Akureyri Port: Goðafoss and Akureyri Botanical Garden Tour: $170
- Akureyri Port: Goðafoss and the Forest Lagoon Tour: $203
- Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $82
- Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss Guided Tour with Lunch: $329
- Akureyri Port: Myvatn Nature Baths & Godafoss Waterfall Tour: $247
- Akureyri Private Walking Tour: $143
- Akureyri Private Walking Tour: $135
- 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship: $108
- E-Bike Tour with Forest Lagoon Entry: $217
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self Guided Audio Walking Tour of San Jose Highlights: $4.62
- Hiking Experience in El Quetzal Private Reserve: $26
- Private Guided Tour of Cheese in Canaan de Rivas: $30
- Sarapiqui Frog Experience: Night Experience in the Jungle.: $30
- Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour: $31
- Poas Volcano National Park - Admission Ticket: $32
- 2-Hour Orosi Nocturnal Tour: $33
- San Jose ART Walking Tour - small groups, creative experience: $35
- Historical Tour and Old Houses by Dota: $35
- San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees: $35
- Skip the Line: Rescate Wildlife Rescue Centre General Admission Ticket: $35
- Sarapiqui Rainforest Night Walk : Wildlife & Adventure.: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $15San Jose $16
Sample the Local Flavors in San Jose
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
- Exclusive Pub Crawl in San Jose : $30
- Bar Crawl in Downtown San Jose: $39
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $85
- Bar Crawl in San Jose in a Deluxe Party Bus: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and San Jose, we can see that Akureyri is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Akureyri is in Europe and San Jose 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 San Jose would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Jose 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 Akureyri would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Akureyri than you might in San Jose.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Akureyri Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and San Jose, 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 Akureyri or San Jose?
Akureyri has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Jose experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Akureyri or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as San Jose. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
Akureyri is much colder than San Jose in the summer. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In the summer, Akureyri often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Akureyri usually gets less rain in July than San Jose. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Akureyri in the autumn. In the autumn, Akureyri is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Akureyri in October average around 3°C (38°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during autumn. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In October, Akureyri usually receives less rain than San Jose. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in San Jose is December to April. May to November in San Jose is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Akureyri during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. In January, Akureyri is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around -2°C (28°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and San Jose. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Akureyri can get quite cold in the spring. Akureyri is much colder than San Jose in the spring. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during spring. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Akureyri usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Jose. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. December to April in San Jose is the dry season. The hurricane season in San Jose is May to November.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Akureyri
| Akureyri | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.