Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Busan (Pusan)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Busan (Pusan) or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Busan (Pusan) or San Jose, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Busan (Pusan) or San Jose?
Busan (Pusan)
An important port city in South Korea, Busan is known for its beaches, mountains, and temples. With a thriving harbor, the city's main revenue comes from international shipping, although the area is quite popular with tourists from all over the globe, too. The place is bustling with sailors from around the world as well as tourists who come to enjoy the culture of this modern and dynamic city.
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 Tours for Seniors to South Korea, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Busan (Pusan) Prices
South Korea PricesSan Jose Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBusan (Pusan) $104San Jose $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Busan (Pusan) is $104, while the average daily cost in San Jose is $103. 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 Busan (Pusan) and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBusan (Pusan) $39San Jose $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBusan (Pusan) $78San Jose $98
Compare Hotels in Busan (Pusan) and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Busan (Pusan) 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: Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Busan (Pusan) $20San Jose $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):
- Private Transfer from Busan Port to Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS): $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Cruise Port: $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Port: $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Int Airport(PUS): $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $66
- Private Transfer Gaimhae Airport to Busan City: $85
- Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) to Busan - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $137
- Busan Airport to Busan Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $125
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$25
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Local Bus$2.72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from San José airport to San José hotels: $29
- Private San José Airport Transfer to San José Hotels : $40
- Private Transfer from City - San Jose Airport (SJO): $43
- Private One-way Transfer from Juan Santamaria Airport to San Jose: $44
- Private One-way Transfer from San Jose to Juan Santamaria Airport: $45
- Private Airport and Hotel Transfer: Alajuela and San Jose: $45
- Private Transfer from San Jose to La Fortuna de Arenal: $46
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport One Way: $56
- San Jose to Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) – Departure Private Transfer: $58
- Private transfer from San Jose-Heredia-Alajuela Hotels to International Airport: $60
- Transfer 1 to 3 Pax Juan Santamaria Airport to SJO Hotels : $60
- Private transfer from SJO Intl Airport to downtown Hotels: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Busan (Pusan) or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Busan (Pusan) 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 dayBusan (Pusan) $44San Jose $31
Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
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McDonald's$4.43
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Carp Bread$0.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Busan (Pusan)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Busan (Pusan).
- Busan history and market food tour with local chef: $53
- Busan Tailored Korean cooking class (Vegan OK)with market tour: $95
- Busan seafood tour : Cod Auction and Clam Auction in Winter: $99
- Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan : $100
- Busan Local Food Cooking Class with Market Tour: $114
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 including Markets: $29
- San Jose Cooking Classes visit Central Market: $52
- San Jose By Night: Farm to Table Dinner, Cooking & Cocktail Class: $59
- Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup: $78
- San Jose By Night: Sights & Culture Tour with Local Dinner : $80
- Dinner + Typical dance show at the best viewpoint in San José: $92
- Street Food Tour in San Jose with a Local Guide: $113
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Busan (Pusan) $20San Jose $21
Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
- "Walking Tour: Busan Foodie Experience + Live Like a Local": $73
- 1-DAY Busan and INCLUDED night tour: $220
- A well-rounded small group Busan tour with a certified guide: $58
- Authentic Busan Full-Day City Highlights Tour: $48
- Busan 4hr Private Walking Tour with Certified Guide: $228
- Busan 9 Highlights Tour: $40
- Busan CLUBD OASIS Spa and Water Park Ticket: $15
- Busan City Tour - Haedong Yonggung Temple And Shopping in Lotte Premium Outlet: $289
- Busan City Tour Including Gamcheon Culture village and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: $282
- Busan City Tour Including Haedong Yonggungsa Temple And APEC House: $290
- Busan Comfortable Private Tour For 4hours: $196
- Busan Comfortable Private Tour For 8hours: $251
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self Guided Audio Walking Tour of San Jose Highlights: $4.62
- Hiking Experience in El Quetzal Private Reserve: $26
- Private Guided Tour of Cheese in Canaan de Rivas: $30
- Sarapiqui Frog Experience: Night Experience in the Jungle.: $30
- Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour: $31
- Poas Volcano National Park - Admission Ticket: $32
- 2-Hour Orosi Nocturnal Tour: $33
- San Jose ART Walking Tour - small groups, creative experience: $35
- Historical Tour and Old Houses by Dota: $35
- San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees: $35
- Skip the Line: Rescate Wildlife Rescue Centre General Admission Ticket: $35
- Sarapiqui Rainforest Night Walk : Wildlife & Adventure.: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBusan (Pusan) $12San Jose $16
Sample the Local Flavors in San Jose
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
- Exclusive Pub Crawl in San Jose : $30
- Bar Crawl in Downtown San Jose: $39
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $85
- Bar Crawl in San Jose in a Deluxe Party Bus: $100
When comparing the travel costs between Busan (Pusan) and San Jose, we can see that Busan (Pusan) is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Busan (Pusan) is in Asia and San Jose is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Busan (Pusan) or San Jose?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Busan (Pusan) 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 Busan (Pusan) or San Jose?
Busan (Pusan) 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 Busan (Pusan) or San Jose in the Summer?
Both San Jose and Busan (Pusan) during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
In July, Busan (Pusan) is generally cooler than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Busan (Pusan) average around 25°C (77°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In the summer, Busan (Pusan) often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose. Busan (Pusan) gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Busan (Pusan). Busan (Pusan) usually gets more rain in July than San Jose. Busan (Pusan) gets 257 mm (10.1 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 JulyBusan (Pusan) 25°C (77°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Busan (Pusan) and San Jose. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Busan (Pusan) is much colder than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Busan (Pusan) averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Busan (Pusan), it's very sunny this time of the year. Busan (Pusan) usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during autumn. Busan (Pusan) gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Jose receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Busan (Pusan) usually receives less rain than San Jose. Busan (Pusan) gets 62 mm (2.4 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. The hurricane season in San Jose is May to November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBusan (Pusan) 18°C (65°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or San Jose in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Busan (Pusan) as well as San Jose. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Busan (Pusan). In the winter, Busan (Pusan) is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Busan (Pusan) in January average around 3°C (38°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Busan (Pusan) this time of the year. In the winter, Busan (Pusan) often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Busan (Pusan) gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.
Busan (Pusan) usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Busan (Pusan) gets 32 mm (1.3 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 JanuaryBusan (Pusan) 3°C (38°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Busan (Pusan) are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Busan (Pusan) is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Busan (Pusan) average around 14°C (57°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It's quite sunny in San Jose. Busan (Pusan) usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during spring. Busan (Pusan) gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Busan (Pusan). In April, Busan (Pusan) usually receives more rain than San Jose. Busan (Pusan) gets 148 mm (5.8 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 is the hurricane season in San Jose.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBusan (Pusan) 14°C (57°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Busan (Pusan)
| Busan (Pusan) | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (43°F) | 24 mm (0.9 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.