A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Belfast vs. San Jose for Nightlife, Backpackers, Food, and Families

Should you visit Belfast or San Jose?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Belfast 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.

Belfast

Belfast is a affordable, under-rated, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and shopping. See Belfast travel costs.

San Jose

San Jose is a colorful, bustling, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See San Jose travel costs.

Belfast and San Jose: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Belfast or San Jose?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Jose than Belfast, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Belfast is more touristy than San Jose and is popular for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles". San Jose is popular for its colorful markets and vibrant nightlife, as well as its easy access to the rest of the country. It is also home to The National Museum of Costa Rica.

How is Belfast different from San Jose?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Jose and Belfast. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Belfast or San Jose?

San Jose is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

San Jose is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Despite most people rushing through town, there are a number of museums, plazas, and interesting buildings that are worth checking out.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Belfast or San Jose? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

San Jose is a nice place to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

San Jose offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Belfast or San Jose Better for Nightlife?

San Jose is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

San Jose offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

Is the Shopping Better in Belfast or San Jose?

San Jose is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

San Jose is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Belfast. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Is Belfast or San Jose Better for Families?

Belfast is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Belfast is a family-friendly city. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

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.

Is Belfast or San Jose Better for Couples?

Most people don't think of either Belfast or San Jose as a couple's destination.

Belfast is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

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.

Is Belfast or San Jose Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Jose is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Belfast is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit San Jose. 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.

Belfast is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a reasonably affordable destination with a few hostels to choose from, but most backpackers don't make their way to this city.

Is Belfast or San Jose Better for Students?

Belfast and San Jose are both good destinations for students and younger travelers.

Belfast is a good city to visit for students. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

Plenty of students visit San Jose. 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.

Is Belfast or San Jose Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

San Jose is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

San Jose has a few public transit options. There are local buses that travel through the city during the daytime hours.

Public transit is mostly limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is Belfast or San Jose a more walkable city?

Belfast and San Jose both are good when exploring on foot.

Belfast is somewhat walkable.

San Jose is a somewhat walkable place. It can feel a bit chaotic, but it's relatively easy to get around on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Belfast Worth Visiting? and Is San Jose Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Jose or Belfast?

How long in Belfast or San Jose?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Belfast or San Jose to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Belfast than San Jose because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Belfast, and 1-2 days is enough time in San Jose.

Families should spend more time in Belfast than San Jose. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Belfast, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in San Jose than Belfast. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Jose that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Jose than Belfast 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 San Jose.

One day in Belfast or San Jose?

The city of Belfast offers shopping and nightlife. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In San Jose, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Belfast or San Jose?

Belfast 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 Belfast, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In San Jose, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Jose has to offer.

Five days in Belfast or San Jose?

Belfast 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 great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Belfast or San Jose?

Belfast 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Jose. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting San Jose. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.

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

Which is Bigger, Belfast or San Jose?

San Jose has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Belfast. When comparing the sizes of Belfast 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 Belfast or San Jose?

Belfast 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 Belfast or San Jose in the Summer?

Both San Jose and Belfast during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Belfast because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.

Belfast is much colder than San Jose in the summer. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In the summer, Belfast often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Belfast gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.

San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Belfast usually gets less rain in July than San Jose. Belfast gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or San Jose in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Belfast and San Jose. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Belfast this time of year. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Belfast is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Belfast in October average around 9°C (48°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Belfast usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during autumn. Belfast gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

San Jose receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Belfast usually receives less rain than San Jose. Belfast gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to April in San Jose is the dry season. May to November in San Jose is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Belfast or San Jose in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Belfast as well as San Jose. Many travelers come to Belfast for the shopping scene and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Belfast. In January, Belfast is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 4°C (39°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In the winter, Belfast often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Belfast gets 50 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Belfast gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or San Jose in the Spring?

Both San Jose and Belfast are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Belfast in the spring for the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Belfast is much colder than San Jose in the spring. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

It's quite sunny in San Jose. Belfast usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during spring. Belfast gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Belfast usually receives more rain than San Jose. Belfast gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in San Jose is December to April. The hurricane season in San Jose is May to November.

Typical Weather for San Jose and Belfast