A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubrovnik vs. San Jose for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Dubrovnik or San Jose?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Dubrovnik 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.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a cultural, coastal, and historic coastal town. Dubrovnik is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Dubrovnik travel costs.

San Jose

San Jose is a traditional, colorful, and bustling city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See San Jose travel costs.

Dubrovnik and San Jose: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubrovnik or San Jose?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Dubrovnik than San Jose, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Dubrovnik is better known for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while San Jose is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities. Dubrovnik is more touristy than San Jose and is known for its well-preserved medieval old town that is surrounded by stone walls and has been the production sight for many major movies and television shows. Also, Dubrovnik is famous for The Old Town Walls. San Jose is well known for its colorful markets and vibrant nightlife, as well as its easy access to the rest of the country.

How is Dubrovnik different from San Jose?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Jose and Dubrovnik. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dubrovnik or San Jose?

Dubrovnik is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dubrovnik can be an interesting and educational experience. The old town is a living museum that is filled with historic landmarks like the old town walls, the Dubrovnik Cathedral and Treasury, and Loggia Square.

San Jose offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Despite most people rushing through town, there are a number of museums, plazas, and interesting buildings that are worth checking out.

Is the Food Better in Dubrovnik or San Jose? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dubrovnik is very popular for its restaurants. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Dubrovnik is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Restaurants are usually locally-sourced with fresh produce and seafood. Traditional local dishes include black risotto (made with squid ink), pašticada (a beef dish), and various pasta dishes.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in San Jose. Most people miss out on local cuisine during their time in Costa Rica, but the capital city offers the best opportunities to eat like a local. You can sample favorite local dishes such as chifrijo, gallo pinto, rondón, and casado. You should also wander through the Central Market and dine at one of the many local restaurants.

Is Dubrovnik or San Jose Better for Nightlife?

San Jose is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Dubrovnik is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for nightlife.

The nightlife in San Jose has something for everybody. This city has the best nightlife in all of Costa Rica. You'll find a diversity of clubs and bars that are fun to explore. Check out the reggae bars, dance clubs, and sports bars (where you can enjoy a soccer game) while you're in town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Dubrovnik. There are many bars around town that take advantage of the unique architecture of the city. There are far less clubs, but for a drink in a laid back setting, you'll find plenty of options.

Is Dubrovnik or San Jose Better for Resorts?

Dubrovnik is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, San Jose is not a resort destination.

Dubrovnik is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. The old town is the most famous and charming part of the city, but you'll find most of the resorts spanning the coastline outside of town. Inside the old town there are a few boutique hotels and a number of rooms available for rent, but make sure you book early during peak seasons. For a resort, look outside of the old town with popular options including Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, the Hilton Imperial, and Rixos Premium.

San Jose is not a resort destination.

Is Dubrovnik or San Jose Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubrovnik is a decent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, San Jose is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Dubrovnik. On clear days, snorkeling can be a fun activity, but the weather and visibility can vary so conditions are unpredictable. Buža is a popular snorkeling spot in town, but you can also organize tours to other areas.

San Jose is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubrovnik or San Jose Better for Beaches?

Dubrovnik is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, San Jose is not a beach destination.

Dubrovnik has a beach worth visiting. The old town is the main appeal of the area, but there are several beaches that are nice for taking a swim or sunbathing. They are often pebbly, but the water is blue and the views are beautiful.

San Jose is not a beach destination.

Is Dubrovnik or San Jose Better for its Old Town?

Dubrovnik is very popular for its historic old town. However, San Jose does not have a historic old town.

Dubrovnik has a world-famous historical area. This walled old town is among the most famous in Europe. It's sits beautifully along the coast and it is pedestrian only. You can spend plenty of time exploring the historic lanes, popping in shops and restaurants, and soaking up the charming atmosphere.

San Jose does not have a historic old town.

Is Dubrovnik or San Jose Better for Hiking?

Dubrovnik is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, San Jose is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Dubrovnik. There are a number of hikes outside of town that take you along the dramatic coastal. The paths offer spectacular views back towards town or along the water.

San Jose is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubrovnik or San Jose?

San Jose is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Dubrovnik is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in San Jose. There are a number of unique things you can buy in the city including jewelry, handbags, and wood workings. Make sure you check out the Central Market.

Dubrovnik is a great destination for shopping. The old town offers some nice boutique shops where you can buy designer clothes, jewelry, or trinkets.

Is Dubrovnik or San Jose More Beautiful?

Dubrovnik is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, San Jose is not a destination known for its beauty.

Dubrovnik is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. This historic city has a famous walled old town. It sits beautifully along the coast and offers stunning views of the area.

San Jose is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Dubrovnik or San Jose Better for Families?

Dubrovnik is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Dubrovnik is a very family-friendly destination. The city has nice beaches, beautiful hikes, and historic city walls that are fun to explore with kids. The food is also kid-friendly and the locals love meeting children.

San Jose doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Most people pass through the city quickly, but if you have a day or two to explore, you can visit the Children's Museum (Museo de los Niños), Spirogyra Butterfly Gardens, or explore the Central Market.

Is Dubrovnik or San Jose Better for Couples?

Dubrovnik is very popular for romance. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Dubrovnik has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With its beautiful old town, nice beaches, and laid back atmosphere, this makes the perfect couple's getaway destination. Pop in a local restaurant and try the seafood before exploring the charming squares and historic buildings.

Most people don't think of San Jose as a couple's destination. While Costa Rica is a popular honeymoon destination, the capital city is often overlooked for the beaches and rainforests around the country.

Is Dubrovnik or San Jose Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dubrovnik is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Dubrovnik. It's not hard to find a room in a local's home near old town at an affordable price. The food is delicious and affordable as well, and you'll find plenty of other backpackers in town to hang out with.

San Jose is a great coastal town to visit for backpackers. Backpackers appreciate the affordability of the city and the wide range of hostels that you can choose from. The city also offers an authentic glimpse of life in Costa Rica.

Is Dubrovnik or San Jose Better for Students?

San Jose is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Dubrovnik is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit San Jose. Many students come to Costa Rica to study the country's amazing environment and unique ecological systems. San Jose makes a good base as its easy to travel to other parts of this small country.

Dubrovnik is not popular with students.

Is Dubrovnik or San Jose Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dubrovnik and San Jose both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Dubrovnik offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are 12 bus lines that connect all parts of the city with the city center.

San Jose has a few public transit options. There are local buses that travel through the city during the daytime hours.

Is Dubrovnik or San Jose a more walkable city?

Dubrovnik is very popular for its walkability. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Dubrovnik. The old town is completely pedestrian-only and you can also explore the city's historic walls on foot.

San Jose is a somewhat walkable place. It can feel a bit chaotic, but it's relatively easy to get around on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Dubrovnik Worth Visiting? and Is San Jose Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Jose or Dubrovnik?

How long in Dubrovnik or San Jose?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dubrovnik or San Jose to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Dubrovnik than San Jose because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Dubrovnik, and 1-2 days is enough time in San Jose.

Families should spend more time in Dubrovnik than San Jose. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Dubrovnik, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Dubrovnik than San Jose. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Dubrovnik that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dubrovnik than San Jose if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Dubrovnik.

One day in Dubrovnik or San Jose?

The beautiful coastal town of Dubrovnik offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of San Jose. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Jose has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Dubrovnik or San Jose?

Dubrovnik is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dubrovnik, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the traditional destination of San Jose. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Dubrovnik or San Jose?

Dubrovnik is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dubrovnik, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of San Jose. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Dubrovnik or San Jose?

Dubrovnik is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal town offers something for everyone.

San Jose is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubrovnik and San Jose, we can see that Dubrovnik is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dubrovnik or San Jose?

San Jose has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Dubrovnik. When comparing the sizes of Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik or San Jose?

Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik or San Jose in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubrovnik and San Jose. Many travelers come to Dubrovnik for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Dubrovnik is cooler than San Jose. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dubrovnik in July average around 25°C (77°F), and San Jose averages at about 28°C (82°F).

San Jose receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Dubrovnik usually receives less rain than San Jose. Dubrovnik gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dubrovnik or San Jose in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dubrovnik as well as San Jose. Many visitors come to Dubrovnik in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.

In October, Dubrovnik is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Dubrovnik average around 18°C (64°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite rainy in San Jose. Dubrovnik receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Dubrovnik usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Dubrovnik gets 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in San Jose is the dry season. Also, May to November in San Jose is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Dubrovnik or San Jose in the Winter?

Both San Jose and Dubrovnik are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dubrovnik for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Dubrovnik is much colder than San Jose in the winter. The daily temperature in Dubrovnik averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite rainy in Dubrovnik. In January, Dubrovnik usually receives more rain than San Jose. Dubrovnik gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dubrovnik or San Jose in the Spring?

Both San Jose and Dubrovnik during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Dubrovnik because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.

In the spring, Dubrovnik is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dubrovnik in April average around 14°C (57°F), and San Jose averages at about 29°C (85°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Dubrovnik gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in San Jose. Also, the hurricane season in San Jose is May to November.

Typical Weather for San Jose and Dubrovnik