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

Should you visit Bergen or San Jose?

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

Should I visit Bergen or San Jose? 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.

Bergen

Bergen is a friendly, laid back, and nostalgic city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Bergen travel costs.

San Jose

San Jose is a colorful, bustling, and authentic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See San Jose travel costs.

Bergen and San Jose: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bergen or San Jose?

You'll generally find more things to do in San Jose than Bergen. San Jose is bigger than Bergen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Jose is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while Bergen is more popular for its historical sights and small town charm. Bergen is more touristy than San Jose and is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty. San Jose is well known for its colorful markets and vibrant nightlife, as well as its easy access to the rest of the country. Also, San Jose is famous for The National Museum of Costa Rica.

How is Bergen different from San Jose?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Bergen or San Jose.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bergen. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

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.

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

Both Bergen and San Jose offer notable local cuisine and restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Bergen area. The city's economy has long been centered around the fish trade and even today you'll find cod, shellfish, trout, and salmon on most menus. Sheep and mutton are also popular. Desserts and coffee are also a big part of the local culture.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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.

Is Bergen or San Jose Better for Nightlife?

San Jose is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

San Jose has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Bergen. It's a small city without a huge nightlife district, but there are bars and clubs in Bryggen and Old Bulls Plass. The city has enough students to keep things lively and fun.

Is Bergen or San Jose Better for its Old Town?

Bergen is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, San Jose does not have a historic old town.

Bergen is a good destination for visiting its old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

San Jose does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bergen or San Jose?

Both Bergen and San Jose are very good shopping destinations.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bergen. The city center is filled with specialty boutiques as well as larger department stores. Shopping has long been a large part of the economy and you'll enjoy exploring the diversity of retail options.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Is Bergen or San Jose Better for Families?

Bergen is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Bergen is a very family-friendly destination. There are some interesting educational opportunities for kids including the Bergen Aquarium, VilVite Science Centre, and Experience Bryggen. Other fun activities include Vannkanten Waterworld and the Fløibanen Funicular.

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 Bergen or San Jose Better for Couples?

Bergen is a very popular place for romance. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Bergen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many romantic activities near town like swimming in the fjords and walking through the parks. There are also spas and music concerts to enjoy.

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 Bergen or San Jose Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Jose is notable for backpackers. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Bergen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Is Bergen or San Jose Better for Students?

Bergen and San Jose are both notable destinations for students and younger travelers.

Bergen is a good city to visit for students. It's a very student-friendly city with many activities and a laid back atmosphere. The university facilities are spread out around town and the locals are welcoming and helpful.

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

Bergen is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Bergen is fairly effecient and thorough. For the areas that are outside of the city center, you can take a local bus or the light rail to access them. These services are operated by Skyss.

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.

Is Bergen or San Jose a more walkable city?

Bergen is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Bergen is very walkable. The city center is flat and compact enough that it's fun to explore on foot.

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 Bergen Worth Visiting? and Is San Jose Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Jose or Bergen?

How long in Bergen or San Jose?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bergen or San Jose to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bergen 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 Bergen, and 1-2 days is enough time in San Jose.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Jose than Bergen 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 Bergen or San Jose?

The city of Bergen 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of San Jose. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bergen or San Jose?

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

San Jose is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Bergen or San Jose?

Bergen 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Jose. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bergen or San Jose?

Bergen 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the bustling destination of San Jose. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Norway, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway, 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 Bergen and San Jose, we can see that Bergen is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bergen 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 Bergen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bergen 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 Bergen Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bergen or San Jose?

San Jose has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Bergen 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 Bergen or San Jose?

Bergen 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 Bergen or San Jose in the Summer?

Both San Jose and Bergen during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bergen for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.

In the summer, Bergen is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bergen in July average around 15°C (58°F), and San Jose averages at about 28°C (82°F).

San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. Bergen usually gets less rain in July than San Jose. Bergen gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or San Jose in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bergen and San Jose. Many visitors come to Bergen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Bergen is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Bergen average around 9°C (48°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

San Jose receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Bergen usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Jose. Bergen gets 271 mm (10.7 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 is the hurricane season in San Jose.

Should I visit Bergen or San Jose in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bergen as well as San Jose. Most visitors come to Bergen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.

Bergen can be very cold during winter. Bergen is much colder than San Jose in the winter. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bergen usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Bergen gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bergen or San Jose in the Spring?

Both San Jose and Bergen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Bergen because of the small town charm. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Bergen is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bergen in April average around 6°C (43°F), and San Jose averages at about 29°C (85°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. In April, Bergen usually receives more rain than San Jose. Bergen gets 114 mm (4.5 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. May to November in San Jose is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for San Jose and Bergen