Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Florence?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Florence or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Florence or San Jose, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Florence or San Jose?
Florence
Florence is the capital of Tuscany and one of the most well known cities in Italy for its art and cultural scenes. The city is rooted in history and you can see this in the architecture, statues, gardens, and art that are everywhere around town. This city truly is a living museum. You should allow yourself at least a couple of days to explore Florence and if you can afford more, it is well worth the time. In particular, if art history is your passion then you will need a week or more to satisfy your interest as the museums and architecturally impressive buildings throughout the city are endless.
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 Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, 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 dayFlorence €154San Jose €85
The average daily cost (per person) in Florence is €154, while the average daily cost in San Jose is €85. 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 Florence and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlorence €87San Jose €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlorence €174San Jose €92
Compare Hotels in Florence and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Florence 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: Florence Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Florence €22San Jose €18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Florence
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Florence:
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Taxi Ride Within City€8.00
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Taxi from Airport€25
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In City Parking (Full Day)€30
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Bus Pass (Full Day)€5.00
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Bus From Airport€5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florence
Also for Florence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Florence - Bologna with stop at the Barberino Outlet: $142
- Transfer Between Florence and Rome with Sightseeing Stop: $1,184
- Private transfer Florence Airport / Hotel Florence: $131
- Private transfer: $256
- Private arrival OR departure transfer in Florence: $115
- Private Transfer: Florence to Florence Firenze-Peretola Airport (FLR): $153
- Private Transfer: Florence City Center to Peretola Airport (FLR): $63
- Private Transfer from Scandicci to Firenze (FLR) Airport: $110
- Private Transfer from San Casciano in Val di Pesa to Firenze (FLR) Airport: $293
- Private Transfer from Impruneta to Firenze (FLR) Airport: $284
- Private Transfer from Greve in Chianti to Firenze (FLR) Airport: $179
- Private Transfer from Florence to Livorno Port: $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€24
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Local Bus€2.58
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 Florence or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Florence 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 dayFlorence €36San Jose €17
Typical Food Prices in Florence
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Florence:
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Panini Sandwich€6.50
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Casual Lunch (for Two)€17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Florence
For Florence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Florence with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Florence Street Food Tour: Market & City Center: $29
- Florence Street Food Tour, Market and City Center: $31
- Walking Food Tour at Sunset with Tastings: $33
- Virtual Live Cooking Class What Do You Have in Your Pantry: $35
- Virtual Cooking Class: Bruschetta & Tiramisù: $35
- Virtual Italian Meatballs Cooking Class, Live from Tuscany: $37
- Street Food Tour with Local Expert Guide: $41
- Street Food Tour and Sightseeing with Local Expert Guide in 2.5 hours : $41
- Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine: $59
- Cooking Art Brunelleschi : $59
- 3- Cooking Making Spaghetti & Lasagna: $59
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.Florence €30San Jose €20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florence
For Florence, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Admission to Uffizi€11
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Phone Booking Fee for Uffizi€4.00
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Firenze Card (for Two)€100
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Audioguides at Uffizi (for Two)€20
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Giotto's Tower Entrance Fee€6.00
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Boboli Gardens Entrance Fee€7.00
Tours and Activities in Florence
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Florence.
- Express Early Morning Uffizi Small Group Tour I Max 6 People: $141
- Florence Duomo: VIP After-Hours Dome Tour with Terrace Access: $174
- Florence FoodTour with Local Guide: $191
- Florence-Private bike tour: $98
- Uffizi Skip-the-Line Entry & Guided Tour: $71
- Private Tour of Uffizi and Accademia Gallery with David: $228
- Tour Private of Florence in electric car : $41
- VIP Uffizi Gallery Tour: $75
- "Good Morning Chianti Classico" - Tour in 2 wineries with lunch: $197
- 1-Hour Experience with Brunello. Visit to the Vineyard and Cellar: $35
- 1-Hour Mythological Tour in Piazza della Signoria: Experience for Children: $49
- 2-Hours Walking Tour in Florence: $164
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 dayFlorence €18San Jose €16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florence
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florence from other travelers:
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Glass of Chianti€4.20
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Bottle of Wine€7.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Florence
Also in Florence, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting by CarusVini in San Casciano in val di Pesa: $16
- Wine Tasting Activity at Chianti Rufina: $23
- Great wine tasting at Tenuta Moriano: $25
- Sip, Savor, Save! Youth Wine Tasting Tour with Appitisers: $28
- Wine Tasting Experience with Three Types of Tuscan Wine: $29
- Discover Artimino wine tasting, a few steps from Florence: $33
- Private Wine Tasting Experience in the heart of Tuscany: $33
- Classic Wine Tasting in Montalcino: $33
- Wine Tasting and Pairing Class Guided Tour in Florence: $43
- Wine Tasting and Paring Class Guided Tour in Florence: $43
- Wine Tasting and Pairing Class Guided Tour in Florence: $43
- Wine Tasting Experience in Florence city centre: $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 Florence and San Jose, we can see that Florence is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Florence 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 Florence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Florence 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 Florence Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Florence or San Jose?
Florence has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Florence 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 Florence or San Jose?
Florence 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 Florence or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Florence and San Jose. The summer months attract visitors to Florence because of the family-friendly experiences. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Florence is generally cooler than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Florence average around 25°C (77°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Florence, it's very sunny this time of the year. Florence usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Florence gets 316 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, Florence usually receives less rain than San Jose. Florence gets 31 mm (1.2 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 JulyFlorence 25°C (77°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Florence or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Florence as well as San Jose. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Florence this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
Florence is much colder than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Florence averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Florence often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose. Florence gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Florence usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Florence gets 96 mm (3.8 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 OctoberFlorence 16°C (61°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Florence or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Florence are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Florence for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Florence is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Florence in January average around 7°C (45°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in San Jose. Florence usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Florence gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Florence usually receives more rain than San Jose. Florence gets 63 mm (2.5 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 JanuaryFlorence 7°C (45°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Florence or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Florence during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Florence in the spring for the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
In April, Florence is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Florence average around 14°C (57°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Florence often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Florence gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Florence usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Florence gets 78 mm (3.1 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 AprilFlorence 14°C (57°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Florence
| Florence | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 7°C (45°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.