Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Auckland?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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 Auckland and San Jose can help you decide which place is right for you.
Auckland is a adrenaline-filled, thrill-seeking, and cosmopolitan city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Auckland travel costs.
San Jose is a bustling, authentic, and traditional city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See San Jose travel costs.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Auckland than San Jose. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Auckland is more touristy than San Jose and is known for its waterfront setting, diverse beaches, and active and adrenaline-filled environment. It is also well known for the Sky Tower. San Jose is famous for its colorful markets and vibrant nightlife, as well as its easy access to the rest of the country.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Jose and Auckland. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Auckland is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.
With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Auckland can be an interesting and educational experience. The waterfront is filled with sights for tourists, and many of the city's attractions are geared towards thrill seekers. The Sky Tower is a popular landmark with its Sky Walk and Sky Jump. There are also many thrilling experiences that you can have along the Harbour Bridge. For museums, head to the New Zealand Maritime Museum, the Auckland Art Gallery, or the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
San Jose offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Despite most people rushing through town, there are a number of museums, plazas, and interesting buildings that are worth checking out.
Auckland is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.
The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Auckland. The city has a diverse selection of restaurants, but you'll also find many places that highlight local ingredients such as seafood and lamb. You'll often find the standard dishes such as fish and chips, oysters, and green-lipped mussels on the menus.
Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in San Jose. Most people miss out on local cuisine during their time in Costa Rica, but the capital city offers the best opportunities to eat like a local. You can sample favorite local dishes such as chifrijo, gallo pinto, rondón, and casado. You should also wander through the Central Market and dine at one of the many local restaurants.
Both Auckland and San Jose have excellent vibes after the sun sets.
Auckland has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and there are many bars and clubs that you can explore in the evening. Some of the best nightlife options are found in the vibrant Britomart precinct and around the trendy Ponsonby Road. Other popular areas include Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter.
The people in San Jose know how to have a good time. This city has the best nightlife in all of Costa Rica. You'll find a diversity of clubs and bars that are fun to explore. Check out the reggae bars, dance clubs, and sports bars (where you can enjoy a soccer game) while you're in town.
Auckland is a very popular place for its beaches. However, San Jose is not a beach destination.
You'll have a great beach vacation in Auckland. You don't have to head too far from the city to find some impressive beaches that are diverse and beautiful. There are beaches that are secluded and private as well as more lively beaches with all of the amenities and activities that you might want.
San Jose is not a beach destination.
Auckland is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, San Jose is not a hiking destination.
Auckland has hiking trails worth exploring. Locals love to get outdoors, and you'll find many local hikes in the area. There are easy paths that are family-friendly and perfect for a stroll, as well as longer stretches that present more of a challenge.
San Jose is not a hiking destination.
Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Auckland and San Jose.
Auckland is well-known for its shopping. The city centre is cosmopolitan and full of diverse shopping venues that sell international brands as well as local designers. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Britomart, High Street, and Queen Street.
Browsing through shops is a popular activity in San Jose. There are a number of unique things you can buy in the city including jewelry, handbags, and wood workings. Make sure you check out the Central Market.
Auckland is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.
Auckland is a very family-friendly destination. There's a big focus on getting kids outside in the city, so you'll find many outdoor parks and play spaces. Popular activities for families include visiting the Huia Lodge Discovery Centre, going to the Museum of Transport and Technology, and wandering through the botanical garden.
San Jose doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Most people pass through the city quickly, but if you have a day or two to explore, you can visit the Children's Museum (Museo de los Niños), Spirogyra Butterfly Gardens, or explore the Central Market.
Auckland is a very popular place for romance. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.
Auckland makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many romantic restaurants in the city, as well as spas, cocktail bars, and evening venues. Couples will also enjoy one of the many thrill-seeking activities that New Zealand is famous for.
Most people don't think of San Jose as a couple's destination. While Costa Rica is a popular honeymoon destination, the capital city is often overlooked for the beaches and rainforests around the country.
Auckland and San Jose are both excellent destinations for backpackers.
Many backpackers visit Auckland. Auckland is high on many backpackers' wish list, and usually they pass through the city at some point during their trip. You'll find a number of hostels in the city that are perfect for socializing and saving money.
San Jose is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers appreciate the affordability of the city and the wide range of hostels that you can choose from. The city also offers an authentic glimpse of life in Costa Rica.
Auckland is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.
Auckland is a great city to visit as a student. Some of the country's best universities are found in the city, many of which are popular with international students.
San Jose is popular with students. Many students come to Costa Rica to study the country's amazing environment and unique ecological systems. San Jose makes a good base as its easy to travel to other parts of this small country.
Visitors will find nice public transit in both Auckland and San Jose.
Auckland has some public transit options. There's a mishmash of different public transit options, and trips often include a variety of modes of transport. In the city you'll find ferries, trains, and buses to help you get around.
You'll find some public transit in San Jose, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses that travel through the city during the daytime hours.
San Jose is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Auckland is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.
San Jose is a somewhat walkable place. It can feel a bit chaotic, but it's relatively easy to get around on foot.
Auckland is generally not very walkable. It is a very car-centric city and it can be challenging to explore on foot alone.
For even more information, also check out Is Auckland Worth Visiting? and Is San Jose Worth Visiting?.
You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Auckland or San Jose to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Auckland than San Jose because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Auckland, and 1-2 days is enough time in San Jose.
Families should spend more time in Auckland than San Jose. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Auckland, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Auckland than San Jose. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Auckland that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Auckland than San Jose if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Auckland.
Auckland is a big city with plenty to do. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
The city of San Jose offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Auckland is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Auckland, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
San Jose is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in San Jose, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Auckland is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
San Jose is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Auckland is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.
San Jose is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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 Auckland is $142, while the average daily cost in San Jose is $89. 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 Auckland and San Jose in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Auckland 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Jose are as follows:
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Auckland 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.
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For San Jose, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Auckland and San Jose, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Auckland is in Pacific 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland 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 Auckland Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Auckland has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Auckland 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.
Auckland has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Jose experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Both San Jose and Auckland are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Auckland this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Auckland is generally cooler than San Josein July. Daily temperatures in Auckland average around 20°C (68°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Auckland. Auckland usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Auckland gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In January, Auckland usually receives less rain than San Josein July. Auckland gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both San Jose and Auckland during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Auckland for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Auckland is much colder than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Auckland averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
In the autumn, Auckland often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Josein October. Auckland gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Auckland usually gets less rain in April than San Josein October. Auckland gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in San Jose. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in San Jose.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Auckland and San Jose. Many visitors come to Auckland in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Auckland is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Auckland in July average around 11°C (52°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. Auckland usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Auckland gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
Auckland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Auckland usually receives more rain than San Josein January. Auckland gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Auckland as well as San Jose. Most visitors come to Auckland for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In October, Auckland is generally much colder than San Josein April. Daily temperatures in Auckland average around 14°C (58°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In the spring, Auckland often gets less sunshine than San Josein April. Auckland gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Auckland usually gets more rain in October than San Josein April. Auckland gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in San Jose is the dry season. Also, May to November in San Jose is the hurricane season.
Auckland | San Jose | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
May | 14°C (57°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
Aug | 11°C (53°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
Oct | 14°C (58°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
Dec | 18°C (65°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |