Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Brussels?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Brussels 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 Brussels 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.
Where Should I go: Brussels or San Jose?
Brussels
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and also the sight of the headquarters of the European Union. Generally speaking, it's an expensive city that sees a good amount of travelers. It is also a highly political city that has an air of importance and power. It's an incredibly international city, with people from all over the world flocking to it due to its political, economical, and cultural significance.
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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, 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 dayBrussels €137San Jose €85
The average daily cost (per person) in Brussels is €137, 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 Brussels and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBrussels €73San Jose €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBrussels €146San Jose €92
Compare Hotels in Brussels and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Brussels 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: Brussels Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Brussels €17San Jose €18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:
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Subway Pass€4.50
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Atomium train ticket (2)€8.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brussels
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:
- VIP Transfer between Brussels Airport (BRU) and Antwerp: $248
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Brussels HTL-APT(BRU): $81
- Transfer Shuttle Leuven <-> Amsterdam (1 to 8 Places): $175
- Transfer Chauffeur Limousines Services: $129
- Private arrival OR departure transfer in Brussels from/to airport: $60
- Private Transfert from Bruges to Brussels Airport By Business car: $164
- Private Transfers Between Brussels Airport and the City: $108
- Private Transfer: Brussels to Brussels Airport BRU by Luxury Van: $86
- Private Transfer from Brussels to Luxembourg with Luxury car: $234
- Private Transfer from Brussels to Amsterdam: $505
- Private Transfer from Brussels hotels to Zeebrugge Cruise Port: $143
- Private Transfer from Brussels City Hotels to IJmuiden Port: $142
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 Brussels or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Brussels 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 dayBrussels €38San Jose €17
Typical Food Prices in Brussels
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brussels:
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Ice Cream & Macaroons€4.60
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Dessert (Turkish Delights)€4.75
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Cheese€5.60
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Olives and Snacks€6.98
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Waffle€3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brussels
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Brussels.
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $28
- Chocolate and Beer Food Tour of Brussels: $43
- City Center Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $61
- Food Tour in Brussels - Do Eat Better Experience: $106
- Brussels Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $130
- Secret Food Tours Brussels: $138
- Market Tour and Cooking Lesson with a Belgian Gourmet Meal in a Brussels Home: $160
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $164
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.Brussels €23San Jose €20
Tours and Activities in Brussels
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beer Tasting Tour in Brussels: $24
- Brussels Walking Tour with Waffle Tasting: History and Delights: $23
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.27
- Christmas Gems of Brussels - Walking Tour: $261
- 2-Hour Brussels Guided Walking Tour: $15
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in the templar village of Lissewege: $75
- 4 Hour Private Tour in Brussels : $273
- 600 Years of History and Heritage: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Leuven: $5.99
- A Self-Guided Tour of Brussels' Secret Places and Untold Stories: $5.99
- A Self-Guided Tour of From Medieval to Modern Times: $7.99
- A Self-Guided Tour of Medieval to Modern Times: $7.99
- A day in the life of Brussels - Private tour with a local: $148
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 dayBrussels €13San Jose €16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Brussels are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine€10
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Beer€6.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Brussels
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:
- Brussels Pub Crawl - Nightlife & Party Experience: $17
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Party Experience: $18
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 Brussels and San Jose, we can see that Brussels is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brussels 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 Brussels would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brussels 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 Brussels Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Brussels or San Jose?
Brussels has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Brussels 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 Brussels or San Jose?
Brussels 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 Brussels or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Brussels as well as San Jose. Many visitors come to Brussels in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
Brussels is much colder than San Jose in the summer. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 18°C (65°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In the summer, Brussels often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Brussels usually gets less rain in July than San Jose. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 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 JulyBrussels 18°C (65°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Brussels or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Brussels 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.
In the autumn, Brussels is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Brussels in October average around 12°C (54°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Brussels usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during autumn. Brussels gets 114 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, Brussels usually receives less rain than San Jose. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 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 OctoberBrussels 12°C (54°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Brussels or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Brussels during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Brussels because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
The weather in Brussels can be very cold. In January, Brussels is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 3°C (38°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Brussels often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.
Brussels usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 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 JanuaryBrussels 3°C (38°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Brussels or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and San Jose. The activities around the city are the main draw to Brussels this time of year. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Brussels is much colder than San Jose in the spring. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 10°C (49°F) in April, 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. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during spring. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Brussels usually receives more rain than San Jose. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 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 AprilBrussels 10°C (49°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Brussels
| Brussels | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 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.