Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Cardiff?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cardiff or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cardiff 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: Cardiff or San Jose?
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital city of Wales, and a major port on the country's southern coast. Though Cardiff boomed with the coal industry during the Industrial Revolution, the city began its history as a Roman fort on the River Taff-perhaps taking its name from a combination of the Welsh word for fort (caer) and the name of the river (Taff). The fort still stands today along with many other landmarks that attract tourists each year.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, 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 dayCardiff £156San Jose £73
The average daily cost (per person) in Cardiff is £156, while the average daily cost in San Jose is £73. 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 Cardiff and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCardiff £93San Jose £40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCardiff £186San Jose £80
Compare Hotels in Cardiff and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Cardiff 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: Cardiff Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cardiff £21San Jose £16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cardiff
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cardiff:
- Private Transfer from Mold to Manchester Airport (MAN): $125
- Private Transfer from Holyhead Port to Manchester Airport (MAN): $102
- Private Cardiff Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to Airport: $58
- Private Cardiff Arrival Transfer- Airport to Hotel / Accommodation : $58
- Newport Accommodation to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Cardiff: $16
- Departure Private Transfer from Cardiff to Cardiff Airport CWL by Luxury Vehicle: $96
- Cardiff to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Cardiff Private Transfer from Cardiff Airport to City centre: $79
- Cardiff Airport (CWL): Transfer to Cardiff Accommodation: $140
- Bristol Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Cardiff: $13
- Barry Accommodation to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
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£20
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Local Bus£2.22
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 Cardiff or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Cardiff 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 dayCardiff £44San Jose £15
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.Cardiff £25San Jose £17
Tours and Activities in Cardiff
Here are a few actual costs in Cardiff for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 30 Minute Archery Experience in Llangollen: $19
- 30 Minute Axe Throwing Experience in Llangollen: $19
- A Journey through Tudor A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- A Silent Disco Adventure in Cardiff: $22
- Canoe Aqueduct tours Llangollen: $76
- Canyoning with Beezra Experiences in South Wales: $89
- Cardiff All in One Walking Tour: $62
- Cardiff Bay Boat Tour: $15
- Cardiff Bay Private Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Cardiff Bay: Highlights Private Guided Tour: $188
- Cardiff Bay: Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $38
- Cardiff City Private Guided Walking Tour: $178
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 dayCardiff £13San Jose £13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cardiff
Also in Cardiff, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Gin Tour at Hensol Castle Distillery: $32
- Cardiff Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
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 Cardiff and San Jose, we can see that Cardiff is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cardiff 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 Cardiff would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cardiff 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 Cardiff Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cardiff or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Cardiff. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff 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 Cardiff or San Jose?
Cardiff 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 Cardiff or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as San Jose. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In July, Cardiff is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 17°C (63°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cardiff this time of the year. In the summer, Cardiff often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Cardiff usually gets less rain in July than San Jose. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 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 JulyCardiff 17°C (63°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cardiff 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.
Cardiff is much colder than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during autumn. Cardiff gets 95 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. It's quite rainy in Cardiff. In October, Cardiff usually receives less rain than San Jose. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 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 OctoberCardiff 11°C (52°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Cardiff during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cardiff for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Cardiff can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Cardiff is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cardiff in January average around 3°C (38°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, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Cardiff gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.
Cardiff usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 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 JanuaryCardiff 3°C (38°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and San Jose. The spring months attract visitors to Cardiff 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, Cardiff is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 9°C (48°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. Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during spring. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Cardiff usually receives more rain than San Jose. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 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 AprilCardiff 9°C (48°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Cardiff
| Cardiff | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 80 mm (3.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 9°C (48°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 96 mm (3.8 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.