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

Should you visit Bilbao or San Jose?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bilbao and San Jose. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a authentic, colorful, and friendly city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Bilbao travel costs.

San Jose

San Jose is a authentic, traditional, and colorful city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See San Jose travel costs.

Bilbao and San Jose: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bilbao or San Jose?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bilbao. Although Bilbao and San Jose are roughly the same size, Bilbao has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bilbao is more touristy than San Jose and is popular for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. It is also well known for The Guggenheim Museum. San Jose is famous for its colorful markets and vibrant nightlife, as well as its easy access to the rest of the country.

How is Bilbao different from San Jose?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bilbao 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 Bilbao can be an interesting and educational experience. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

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.

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

Bilbao is very popular for its restaurants. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Bilbao is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

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.

Is Bilbao or San Jose Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Bilbao and San Jose.

Bilbao is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

Many people head to San Jose for the nightlife scene. 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.

Is Bilbao or San Jose Better for its Old Town?

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

Bilbao is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

San Jose does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bilbao or San Jose?

Shopping is a popular activity in both San Jose and Bilbao.

Bilbao is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Is Bilbao or San Jose Better for Families?

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

Bilbao is a family-friendly city. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

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 Bilbao or San Jose Better for Couples?

Bilbao is a nice place to visit for romance. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Bilbao is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

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 Bilbao or San Jose Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Jose is well known for backpackers. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

San Jose is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Is Bilbao or San Jose Better for Students?

Bilbao and San Jose are nice places to visit for students.

Bilbao is popular with students. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

It's common for students to 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 Bilbao or San Jose Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bilbao 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 Bilbao is fairly effecient and thorough. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

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 Bilbao or San Jose a more walkable city?

Bilbao and San Jose both are nice when exploring on foot.

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable place. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

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

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

Should I spend more time in San Jose or Bilbao?

How long in Bilbao or San Jose?

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

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

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

One day in Bilbao or San Jose?

The city of Bilbao offers food and shopping. 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.

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 Bilbao or San Jose?

Bilbao 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 Bilbao, 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 Bilbao or San Jose?

Bilbao is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 Bilbao or San Jose?

Bilbao is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 colorful 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 Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, 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 Bilbao and San Jose, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bilbao 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao 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 Bilbao Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bilbao or San Jose?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao 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 Bilbao or San Jose?

Bilbao 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 Bilbao or San Jose in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as San Jose. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.

In July, Bilbao is generally cooler than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 20°C (68°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In the summer, Bilbao often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Jose. Bilbao usually gets less rain in July than San Jose. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or San Jose in the Autumn?

Both San Jose and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Bilbao is much colder than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 16°C (62°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during autumn. Bilbao gets 125 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. It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In October, Bilbao usually receives less rain than San Jose. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 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. The hurricane season in San Jose is May to November.

Should I visit Bilbao or San Jose in the Winter?

Both San Jose and Bilbao during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.

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

In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or San Jose in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and San Jose. The activities around the city are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Bilbao is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 12°C (54°F), 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. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during spring. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Bilbao usually receives more rain than San Jose. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 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. May to November is the hurricane season in San Jose.

Typical Weather for San Jose and Bilbao