Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Canberra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Canberra or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Canberra 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: Canberra or San Jose?
Canberra
There is something special about the capital city of Australia. Canberra's not just a wonderful spot for outdoor adventures. It's a city completely designed and built up around the coast of an artificial lake. When architects Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin proposed their plans for Canberra it was met with a lot of criticism. Many people thought it would be a "waste of a good sheep pasture."
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 Walking Tours in Australia, The Best Eco Tours in Australia, 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 dayCanberra $135San Jose $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Canberra is $135, while the average daily cost in San Jose is $89. 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 Canberra and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCanberra $83San Jose $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCanberra $166San Jose $96
Compare Hotels in Canberra and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Canberra 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: Canberra Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Canberra $25San Jose $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Canberra
Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Canberra city hotels to Eden Cruise Port: $82
- Private Transfer from Canberra Airport CBR to Eden Cruise Port : $82
- Guided Tour of Floriade Festival with Transfers: $118
- Canberra to Canberra Int Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $34
- Canberra Int'l Airport to Canberra - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
- Canberra Airport (CBR) to Canberra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
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$2.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers to Occidental Papagayo - Secrets Resort, Round-Trip: $130
- Transfer to Los Sueños Marriot Playa Herradura from San Jose or Airport: $215
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from SanJose Juan Santamaría Airport to SanJose City: $39
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Transfer from Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) to Quepos Cruise Port: $72
- Transfer TO & FROM SJO Airport to Esterillos - Bejuco Not Shared.: $180
- Transfer SJO Airport TO & FROM Dominical OR Uvita (One Way): $290
- Transfer Costa Rica SJO Airport To OR From Hotels nearby Private : $45
- Transfer Airport area to Manuel Antonio Hotels Private One Way: $185
- Transfer Airport Area to Jaco Hotels Private One Way Transport: $150
- Shuttle & transfer rides to Jaco beach: $137
- Shared transfer to Manuel Antonio: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Canberra or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Canberra 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 dayCanberra $35San Jose $18
Typical Food Prices in Canberra
For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$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.Canberra $17San Jose $21
Tours and Activities in Canberra
For Canberra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour in Canberra: $30
- Australian Institute of Sport: The AIS Tour: $14
- Best of Wildlife and Birds Tour: $98
- Building + Architecture Tour | 10am Daily: $13
- Canberra Floriade Tour: $118
- Canberra Small Group Winery Tour: $149
- Beer, Wine, and Spirits Tasting Tour: $112
- Best of Wildlife Tour: $89
- City Highlights Day Tour with Entrance Fees: $118
- Capital Christmas: Private Festive Tour in Canberra: $646
- Discover Canberra’s Heritage: A Full-Day Private Tour: $870
- Discover Pearls of Canberra - Private Walking Tour: $133
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 dayCanberra $16San Jose $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Canberra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:
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Drinks at a Bar$9.25
Sample the Local Flavors in Canberra
Also in Canberra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Canberra Brewery and Beer Tour in 3 Hours: $99
- Canberra Brewery Winery and Distillery Tour: $112
- Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $122
- CanBEERa Explorer: Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $123
- From Winery, Distillery, & Tasting Tour with Lunch: $149
- Canberra Wine Tour: $158
- Full-Day Canberra Brewery, Wineries & Distillery tour /w lunch: $162
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 Canberra and San Jose, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Canberra is in Pacific 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra 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 Canberra Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Canberra or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Canberra 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 Canberra or San Jose?
Canberra 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 Canberra or San Jose in the Summer?
Both San Jose and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Canberra for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Canberra is generally cooler than San Josein July. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 20°C (68°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In January, Canberra usually receives less rain than San Josein July. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 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 January and JulyCanberra 20°C (68°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Canberra or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Canberra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Canberra in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Canberra is much colder than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Canberra. Canberra usually gets less rain in April than San Josein October. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 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 April and OctoberCanberra 17°C (63°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Canberra or San Jose in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and San Jose. Most visitors come to Canberra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Canberra is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Canberra in July average around 11°C (52°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
In July, Canberra usually receives more rain than San Josein January. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 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 July and JanuaryCanberra 11°C (52°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Canberra or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Canberra as well as San Jose. The spring months attract visitors to Canberra because of the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In October, Canberra is generally much colder than San Josein April. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 15°C (60°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Canberra usually gets more rain in October than San Josein April. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 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 October and AprilCanberra 15°C (60°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Canberra
| Canberra | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (67°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (54°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (53°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (60°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.