Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Dubrovnik?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
Where Should I go: Dubrovnik or San Jose?
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic", is a beautiful walled city in southern Croatia that sits on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. It's a small city, with only about 40,000 residents, but it's become one of the most significant tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city was historically built on maritime trade, which is not surprising given its location near major Italian and Greek ports such as Venice, Bari, Corfu, and Trieste. It was a center of language and literature and was the home of many important poets, playwrights, painters, and scientists during the 15th and 16th centuries. Today its economy is dependent on tourism and it is one of the most popular destinations in the region. People visit the city for its impressive history, beautiful setting, great weather, and interesting architecture.
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 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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDubrovnik $103San Jose $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubrovnik is $103, 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 Dubrovnik and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubrovnik $53San Jose $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubrovnik $106San Jose $96
Compare Hotels in Dubrovnik and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Dubrovnik 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: Dubrovnik Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubrovnik $13San Jose $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubrovnik
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubrovnik:
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Bus Around Town$1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubrovnik
Also for Dubrovnik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers up to 3 persons to or from Dubrovnik airport to Dubrovnik: $49
- Transfers to and from Ston area to and from Dubrovnik or Dubrovnik airport: $154
- Transfers from Dubrovnik : $66
- Transfer to from Slano up to 7 persons to or from Dubrovnik or Dubrovnik APT: $110
- Transfer from Dubrovnik to Split with 2 hours stop in Ston Town: $86
- Transfer from Dubrovnik airport to Dubrovnik city: $66
- Transfer from Dubrovnik airport or Dubrovnik to Sun Gardens, Trsteno or Brsečine: $82
- Transfer from Dubrovnik Airport to Dubrovnik: $66
- Transfer from Dubrovnik Airport to Dubrovnik: $53
- Transfer Zagreb - Dubrovnik or Dubrovnik - Zagreb: $1,036
- Transfer Dubrovnik-Dubrovnik airport: $42
- Transfer Dubrovnik Airport to Kotor Old town : $197
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:
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Tortuguero: $300
- Transfer SJO Airport TO & FROM Dominical OR Uvita (One Way): $290
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Tambor beach: $276
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport or Guanacaste Hotels: $276
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Manuel Antonio Quepos: $269
- Private Transfer from San Jose downtown to Liberia Airport: $267
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Samara Beach: $265
- Private Transfer: $260
- Private Transfer Airport or San Jose hotels to Puerto Viejo Limon: $259
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to La Fortuna Arenal: $259
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Liberia: $257
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubrovnik or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Dubrovnik 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 dayDubrovnik $35San Jose $18
Typical Food Prices in Dubrovnik
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubrovnik:
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Seafood Dinner (for 2)$31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubrovnik
For Dubrovnik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sunset Dinner Cruise around the Old Town: $81
- Gastro Cruise | Dinner and Boat ride around Dubrovnik Old Town: $82
- Secrets of traditional Dalmatian cuisine with a cooking class: $128
- Old Town Food Tour: $144
- Dubrovnik Old Town Food Tour: Small-Group Experience: $147
- Konavle Wine& History&food Tour: $166
- Cooking Classes Traditional Meals of Konavle region: $179
- Traditional Dalmatian Cooking Class from Dubrovnik: $199
- Traditional Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside: $203
- Authentic Garden to Table Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside : $208
- Pelješac Full-Day Wine and Food Tour from Dubrovnik: $210
- Private Dinner with Wine and Homemade Tapas: $215
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.Dubrovnik $20San Jose $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubrovnik
For Dubrovnik, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Boat to Lokrum Island (for 2)$14
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Dubrovnik City Wall Tour (for 2)$56
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Dubrovnik Cable Car (for 2)$48
Tours and Activities in Dubrovnik
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubrovnik.
- MONTENEGRO TOUR from Dubrovnik: $104
- Montenegro Bay Cruise with Lunch on the Boat from Koločep: $112
- 'Game of Thrones' Walking Tour in Dubrovnik: $58
- 1 Hour Shared Dubrovnik Guided Walking Tour : $26
- 1 Hour Sightseeing Tour in Dubrovnik : $105
- 1.5-Hour Walking Tour of Dubrovnik's Old Town: $20
- 10 Days Tour: Exploring Croatia, Istria and Dalmatia: $3,080
- 2 Hours Private Dubrovnik City Walls Walking Tour : $151
- 2 hrs Guided Tour to CAVTAT a Small Place for Great Art: $27
- 2-Hour Dubrovnik Fun and Exciting Jet Ski Safari Adventure Tour: $137
- 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour in Mlini: $22
- 3-Hour Dubrovnik Countryside ATV/Quad Safari Adventure Tour: $109
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 dayDubrovnik $15San Jose $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Dubrovnik
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubrovnik:
- Columbo Pub Crawl Dubrovnik: $49
- Brewery Tour with Food included: $60
- Day Tour of Korcula Island from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $70
- From Korcula Island Tour with Wine Tasting: $74
- Ston and Korcula Island Day Trip from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $75
- Interactive Wine Tour: $81
- Day trip to Korčula and Pelješac with Wine Tasting: $84
- Konavle Valley Wine Tour from Dubrovnik with Train Ride and Wine Tasting: $84
- Interactive Wine Tour in Dubrovnik: $89
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting in Dubrovnik Old Town : $89
- 2-Hour Kayaking at Sunset with Wine Tasting and Appetizers: $93
- E-Bike Tour + Gourmet Snack + Wine Tasting (Small Group): $97
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 comparing the travel costs between Dubrovnik and San Jose, we can see that Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik is in Europe 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 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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDubrovnik 25°C (77°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDubrovnik 18°C (64°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDubrovnik 9°C (48°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDubrovnik 14°C (57°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Dubrovnik
| Dubrovnik | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 178 mm (7 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.