Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Bonn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bonn or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bonn 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.
Where Should I go: Bonn or San Jose?
Bonn
Bonn was the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (previously, West Germany) and it has a population of about 315,000 people. It sits on the Rhine River just twenty kilometers away from Cologne. Many people travel to Bonn for conferences and business, but Bonn also has a lot of cultural and historical sights to offer visitors. The city is also famous as the birth place of Ludwig van Beethoven. There's a strong student culture in the city as well, and it actually shares many characteristics with Italian cities because of its many cafes and restaurants which line the streets. Outdoor beer gardens are popular and Bonn is a particular good summer destination when the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy the outdoor setting. The city's location also makes it a great base for day trips to Cologne, Dusseldorf, and the Rhine and Eifel regions.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBonn €154San Jose €85
The average daily cost (per person) in Bonn is €154, while the average daily cost in San Jose is €85. 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 Bonn and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBonn €85San Jose €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBonn €170San Jose €92
Compare Hotels in Bonn and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Bonn 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: Bonn Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bonn €23San Jose €18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonn
Also for Bonn, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bonn hotels Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
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€24
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Local Bus€2.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Tortuguero: $300
- Transfer SJO Airport TO & FROM Dominical OR Uvita (One Way): $290
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Tambor beach: $276
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport or Guanacaste Hotels: $276
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Manuel Antonio Quepos: $269
- Private Transfer from San Jose downtown to Liberia Airport: $267
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Samara Beach: $265
- Private Transfer: $260
- Private Transfer Airport or San Jose hotels to Puerto Viejo Limon: $259
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to La Fortuna Arenal: $259
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Liberia: $257
Is it cheaper to fly into Bonn or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Bonn 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 dayBonn €49San Jose €17
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 in San Jose, Costa Rica: $34
- San Jose By Night Tour: Farm to Table Dinner & Cocktail Class: $57
- San Jose Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour and visit Gold Museum : $60
- Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup: $76
- Explore San Jose By Night: Food and Culture Tour with Local Dinner: $80
- Dinner + Typical Show in the best viewpoint of the City: $99
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bonn €34San Jose €20
Tours and Activities in Bonn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bonn.
- Autumn tours with a live guide: $20
- Bonn : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $121
- Bonn : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $52
- Bonn Crime-Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
- Bonn Musikerviertel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
- Bonn Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $223
- Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.58
- Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Bonn Self Guided City Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $7.31
- Bonn Walking Tour (In the footsteps of Ludwig Van Beethoven): $323
- Bonn and Bad Godesberg hop-on hop-off tour in a double-decker bus: $22
- 1.5-Hour River Cruise on the Rhine: $20
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore San Jose on Foot: Food Delights and Sights Tour: $47
- Street Food Walking Tour in Downtown San Jose: $60
- 3 in 1 Eco Tour Rain Forest Aerial Tram, River Cruise & Nature Walk Private Tour: $299
- 6 in 1 RainForest Adventure From San Jose: $189
- A taste of Aquiares - 2 hours Coffee Tour: $42
- AERIAL TRAM TOUR - HALF DAY PASS Rainforest Adventures Braulio Ca: $78
- AWA Water Museum - Waterfall Adventure (Organic Food Experience): $98
- Arenal Volcano Eco Tour & Baldi Hot Springs Private Tour from San Jose: $285
- Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose: $159
- Arenal Volcano Hanging Bridges & Baldi Hot Springs. Private Tour from San Jose: $285
- Arenal Volcano Hike and Hot Springs Tour from San Jose: $142
- Arenal Volcano Horseback Riding & Baldi Hot Springs. Private Tour: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBonn €23San Jose €16
Sample the Local Flavors in San Jose
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
- Bar Crawl in Downtown San Jose: $38
- 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 Bonn and San Jose, we can see that Bonn is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bonn 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 Bonn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bonn 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 Bonn Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bonn or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Bonn 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 Bonn or San Jose?
Bonn 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 Bonn or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and San Jose. Many travelers come to Bonn for the family-friendly experiences. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Bonn is cooler than San Jose in the summer. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Bonn usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Bonn gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
San Jose receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Bonn usually receives less rain than San Jose. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBonn 19°C (66°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Bonn or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bonn as well as San Jose. Many visitors come to Bonn in the autumn for the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In the autumn, Bonn is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bonn in October average around 12°C (53°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Bonn often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Bonn gets 109 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Bonn usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBonn 12°C (53°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bonn or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bonn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Bonn can be very cold during winter. In January, Bonn is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 3°C (37°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in San Jose. Bonn usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Bonn gets 45 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Bonn usually receives more rain than San Jose. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBonn 3°C (37°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bonn or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Bonn during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Bonn is much colder than San Jose in the spring. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Bonn often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Bonn gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Bonn usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBonn 10°C (50°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Bonn
| Bonn | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°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.