Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Bordeaux?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bordeaux or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bordeaux 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: Bordeaux or San Jose?
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is the place to go for fine wines. It's a very mellow, cultural city where you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a quaint cafe or restaurant without being rushed. The city is the capital of Gironde, and the entire metropolitan area has over one million residents. The city also has a rather large and vibrant university and the population is known to be very tolerant and liberal. There is a very strong artistic vibe in the city and, due to it's history of English rule, there is an English flair to the area. The large student population means that there is no shortage of opportunities to see shows, hear music, or visit a museum.
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 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, 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 dayBordeaux €118San Jose €85
The average daily cost (per person) in Bordeaux is €118, 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 Bordeaux and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBordeaux €63San Jose €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBordeaux €126San Jose €92
Compare Hotels in Bordeaux and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Bordeaux 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: Bordeaux Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bordeaux €15San Jose €18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bordeaux
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bordeaux:
- Transfer Airport, Hotel, Station and others places: $97
- Private Transfer from Bordeaux Airport to City of Bordeaux: $87
- Private Transfer from Airport to Bordeaux City: $165
- Private Transfer Bordeaux City to Bordeaux Airport BOD by Car: $97
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Bordeaux from Bordeaux Airport: $165
- Departure Private Transfers : Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Van: $108
- Bordeaux to Airport Private Transfer in Premium Class: $147
- Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Van: $108
- Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Car: $137
- Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux in Luxury Car: $137
- Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux in Business Car: $103
- Arrival Private Transfers : Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux in Business Car: $103
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 San José Airport - La Fortuna: $180
- Airport transfer from SJO Airport to Los Sueños Marriott: $170
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport SJO to Arenal by Minivan: $177
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport to Manuel Antonio by Minivan: $158
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Monteverde, English Speaking Driver: $181
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $136
- Juan Santamaria Intl Airport(SJO) to Puntarenas city-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $167
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Puntarenas city- Arrival Private Transfer: $83
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $64
- One way Transfer from SJO airport or San José to Playa Dominical max 5 passenger: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Bordeaux or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Bordeaux 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 dayBordeaux €45San Jose €17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bordeaux
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bordeaux.
- No Diet Club : Bordeaux Food Tour in Les Chartrons !: $64
- Bordeaux - sweet food tour of the old city: $64
- NO DIET CLUB - Unique food tour in Bordeaux !: $64
- 2-Hour River Dinner Cruise: $74
- Sweet Specialties Tasting Bakeries Food Tour: $82
- Bordeaux : Afternoon Food Tour by a local guide: $85
- Bordeaux Organic Food Tour - French Apéro Style: $93
- Bordeaux : unforgettable Food Tour by a local guide: $96
- Private Bakery, Chocolate & Patisserie Food Tour: $96
- Bordeaux Traditional Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $103
- Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $107
- Pastry Cooking Class: $107
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.Bordeaux €7.89San Jose €20
Tours and Activities in Bordeaux
Here are a few actual costs in Bordeaux for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Bordeaux by bicycle: a 3-hour tour immersive experience": $39
- "Explore Saint-Émilion on e-Bikes: Small Group, Full-Day Tour": $197
- 1-Hour Bordeaux Electric Scooter Tour: $27
- 2 hours - Bordeaux Private tour with a native guide: $164
- 4 Hours Gastronomic Tour in Bordeaux the Sandwiches of the World: $64
- Aperitive guided cruise « Wine and Canelé »: $20
- Blind Tasting: 5 Bordeaux Natural Wine + Cheese experience: $54
- Bordeaux - Private Historic Walking Tour: $462
- Bordeaux : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.14
- Bordeaux : Must-See Attractions Walking Tour: $75
- Bordeaux Bike Tour - Private: $217
- Bordeaux Christmas Market Tour: $309
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Entrance Ticket to the Farm of Hacienda Orosi: $11
- Entrance ticket to the Hacienda Orosi: $21
- Hiking Experience in El Quetzal Private Reserve: $26
- Private Roasting and Cupping Coffee Experience: $30
- Sarapiqui Frog Tour: $30
- Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour: $31
- Poas Volcano National Park - Admission Ticket: $32
- San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees: $33
- Skip the Line: Rescate Wildlife Rescue Centre General Admission Ticket: $35
- San Jose Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- San Jose ART Walking Tour - small groups, creative experience: $35
- Corso Lecheria Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBordeaux €26San Jose €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Bordeaux
Also in Bordeaux, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine and Trade Museum Entry Ticket & Wine Tasting: $11
- Bordeaux Wine and Trade Museum Admission Ticket with Wine Tasting: $11
- Distillery Tour in Bordeaux with Spirits Tasting: $16
- Wine Tasting Cruise: $23
- Cité du Vin Direct Ticket and Wine Tasting: $24
- Bordeaux Pub Crawl: $25
- Taillan-Médoc: Château Visit and Wine Tasting in Bordeaux: $27
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $29
- Unusual Wine Tasting Experience - Wood & Wine: $30
- Discover Bordeaux vineyard : special wine tasting with two cellar men brothers: $32
- Wine Country Vineyards Tour w/ Local Wine Tastings: $59
- Bordeaux Vineyards Wine Tasting Half-Day Trip: $62
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 Bordeaux and San Jose, we can see that Bordeaux is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bordeaux or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Bordeaux. When comparing the sizes of Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux or San Jose?
Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Bordeaux as well as San Jose. Many travelers come to Bordeaux for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In July, Bordeaux is generally cooler than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Bordeaux average around 21°C (69°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bordeaux this time of the year. In the summer, Bordeaux often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Bordeaux gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Bordeaux usually gets less rain in July than San Jose. Bordeaux gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBordeaux 21°C (69°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Bordeaux or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Bordeaux are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bordeaux in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Bordeaux is much colder than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bordeaux averages around 14°C (58°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Bordeaux usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose during autumn. Bordeaux gets 165 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. In October, Bordeaux usually receives less rain than San Jose. Bordeaux gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBordeaux 14°C (58°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bordeaux or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Bordeaux during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bordeaux for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
In the winter, Bordeaux is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bordeaux in January average around 6°C (43°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, Bordeaux often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Bordeaux gets 86 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 Bordeaux. Bordeaux usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Bordeaux gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBordeaux 6°C (43°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bordeaux or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bordeaux and San Jose. The spring months attract visitors to Bordeaux because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Bordeaux is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Bordeaux average around 12°C (53°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. Bordeaux usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during spring. Bordeaux gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Bordeaux usually receives more rain than San Jose. Bordeaux gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBordeaux 12°C (53°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Bordeaux
| Bordeaux | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (45°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (65°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (69°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (58°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 99 mm (3.9 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.