A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fethiye vs. San Jose for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Fethiye or San Jose?

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

Should I visit Fethiye 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: Fethiye or San Jose?

Fethiye

Fethiye is a tourist town in Lycia on the Mediterranean coast. It has a beautiful marina and plenty of activities during the day or night. Fethiye's size, location, and easy access to transportation make it a great central starting point to explore the area. It's also a popular place to pick up the "Blue Cruise," a popular boat tour along the Mediterranean coast.

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 in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Fethiye?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Fethiye is $105, 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 Fethiye and San Jose in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fethiye $38
    San Jose $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fethiye $76
    San Jose $98
Compare Hotels in Fethiye and San Jose

Looking for a hotel in Fethiye 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.

Hotels in Fethiye


Hotels in San Jose


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: Fethiye Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fethiye $27
    San Jose $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Fethiye

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Fethiye are as follows:


  • Local Bus
    $0.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fethiye

Also for Fethiye, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • VIP Transfer from Dalaman Airport to Gocek Fethiye and Oludeniz: $83
  • Turkey Fethiye Dalaman Airport Transfer with Private Car: $80
  • Tickets to Orka World Waterpark with Hotel Transfer in Fethiye: $65
  • Quad Bike Safari Adventure in Fethiye with Transfer Service: $38
  • Private Transfer: Dalaman Airport to Fethiye Göcek Hotels: $41
  • Private Departure Transfer: Fethiye, Oludeniz Region Hotels to Dalaman Airport: $52
  • Private Departure Transfer From Fethiye Hotels to Dalaman Airport: $52
  • Private Airport Transfer From/To Dalaman Airport: $66
  • Paragliding Experience in Fethiye with Roundtrip Transfer: $215
  • Luxury Airport Transfer From Fethiye To Dalaman Airport: $65
  • Hisaronu (Fethiye) Hotels to Dalaman Airport DLM Transfers: $95
  • Full-Day River Rafting Tour in Fethiye with Transfer & Lunch: $76

Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Jose

Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Jose are as follows:


  • Taxi from SJO
    $25
  • 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 Jose or Airport with welcome service to Montezuma: $300
  • San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Limon: Private Transfer : $299
  • San Jose to Guanacaste: Private Transfer : $299
  • Private Transfer From San Jose to Cahuita With 2 Stops: $298
  • Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Liberia: $297
  • Transfer one way from San Jose or Airport to Hotel RIU Guanacaste : $295
  • Private Transfer San Jose SJO Airport to Puerto Viejo by Minivan: $283
  • Private Transfer: San José Apto to Puerto Viejo / Cahuita (Limón): $280
  • Private One Way Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $280
  • Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
  • Private Transfer: San José Airport to Puerto Viejo / Cahuita : $275
  • Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Cahuita: $272

Is it cheaper to fly into Fethiye or San Jose?

Prices for flights to both San Jose and Fethiye 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Fethiye $47
    San Jose $31
Typical Food Prices in Fethiye

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Fethiye:


  • Fruit
    $0.17
  • Soda
    $0.07

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fethiye

For Fethiye, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Turkish Cooking Class in a Village Garden: $94

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fethiye $30
    San Jose $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Fethiye

For Fethiye, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Paragliding
    $5.81
  • Gorge Walk entry and photo
    $0.13

Tours and Activities in Fethiye

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fethiye.

  • Fethiye Dalyan Tour River Cruise and Mud Bath: $72
  • Ölüdeniz Half Day Scuba Diving Experience: $64
  • Ölüdeniz: 2-Hour Tandem Paragliding Experience: $235
  • 12 Islands Boat Tour from Fethiye with Grilled Lunch: $56
  • 12 Islands Boat Tour in Fethiye: $25
  • 7-HourJeep Safari Adventure in Fethiye Turkey: $33
  • Babadag Mountain Paragliding Experience with Photos and Videos: $215
  • Babadağ Cable Car Ticket with Pickup and Paragliding Options: $49
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $66
  • Blue Lagoon Ölüdeniz Tandem Paragliding Experience from Fethiye: $202
  • Dalyan Day Trip from Fethiye Including River Cruise, Mud Baths and Iztuzu Beach: $59
  • Dalyan Mud Baths and Turtle Beach Day Tour From Fethiye: $65

Tours and Activities in San Jose

For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2 in 1 Volcano Irazu + San Jose City Tour: $187
  • 2-Hour Orosi Nocturnal Tour: $33
  • 3-Hour Downtown San Jose Walking Tour: $40
  • A taste of Aquiares - 2 hours Coffee Tour: $42
  • ATV Off Road Poas Volcano Adventure and Hiking for two persons.: $130
  • Action Packed Class 4 Rafting Adventure : $95
  • Adventure Park: $190
  • Adventure Zip Lining at the Cloud Forest from San José: $138
  • Airtime Zipline Adventure in Arenal: $60
  • Arenal Combo Experience: Canopy & Rapell + Thermals: $65
  • Arenal Hanging Bridges and Hot Springs Private Tour from San Jose: $295
  • Arenal Volcano & Baldi Hot Springs one day tour from San Jose: $199

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fethiye $13
    San 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 Fethiye and San Jose, we can see that Fethiye 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 Fethiye 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 Fethiye Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Fethiye or San Jose?

San Jose has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Fethiye. When comparing the sizes of Fethiye 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 Fethiye or San Jose?

Fethiye 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 Fethiye or San Jose in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Fethiye and San Jose. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Fethiye is around the same temperature as San Jose in the summer. The daily temperature in Fethiye averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Fethiye, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fethiye usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Fethiye gets 385 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.

San Jose receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Fethiye usually receives less rain than San Jose. Fethiye gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Fethiye 28°C (82°F) 
    San Jose 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Fethiye or San Jose in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Fethiye as well as San Jose. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.

In the autumn, Fethiye is cooler than San Jose. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Fethiye in October average around 20°C (68°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fethiye this time of the year. In the autumn, Fethiye often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Fethiye gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Jose. Fethiye usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Fethiye gets 47 mm (1.9 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, the hurricane season in San Jose is May to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Fethiye 20°C (68°F) 
    San Jose 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Fethiye or San Jose in the Winter?

Both San Jose and Fethiye are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Fethiye is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Fethiye average around 10°C (50°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in San Jose. Fethiye usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Fethiye gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Fethiye. In January, Fethiye usually receives more rain than San Jose. Fethiye gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Fethiye 10°C (50°F) 
    San Jose 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Fethiye or San Jose in the Spring?

Both San Jose and Fethiye during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.

Fethiye is much colder than San Jose in the spring. The daily temperature in Fethiye averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Fethiye. In the spring, Fethiye often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose. Fethiye gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.

Fethiye usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Fethiye gets 40 mm (1.6 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. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in San Jose.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Fethiye 16°C (61°F) 
    San Jose 29°C (85°F)

Typical Weather for San Jose and Fethiye

Fethiye San Jose
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Feb 11°C (52°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 28°C (83°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 13°C (55°F) 77 mm (3 in) 29°C (84°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 29°C (85°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
May 20°C (68°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 29°C (83°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 289 mm (11.4 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 328 mm (12.9 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 254 mm (10 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)