Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Flores?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Flores or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Flores and San Jose can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Flores or San Jose?
Flores
The town of Flores is located in Peten, Guatemala. The main hub is located on an island on Lago Peten Itza, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. On the other side of the causeway are the towns of Santa Elena and San Benito, however, all three are often referred to as Flores. Most people visit the area for its proximity to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, though the town itself is also charming with colonial buildings and historic churches lining the cobbled streets.
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 Tours for Seniors to Guatemala, The Best G Adventures Tours to Guatemala, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
-
Flores Prices
Guatemala PricesSan Jose Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFlores $43San Jose $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Flores is $43, while the average daily cost in San Jose is $115. 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 Flores and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlores $8.77San Jose $54
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlores $18San Jose $108
Compare Hotels in Flores and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Flores 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: Flores Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Flores $8.00San Jose $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Flores
Also for Flores, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer : Mayan World Airport to Flores Island Hotels: $10
- Tikal Transfer and Tour Guide From Flores: $90
- Same day Round-Trip VIP Exclusive Transfer to Tikal from Flores: $160
- From Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Tikal: $39
- Transfer from Flores to Semuc Champey, Lanquin, Tourists Only: $40
- Tikal National Park Guided Tour with Transfers: $24
- One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $49
- Belize/Caye Caulke/San Pedro Van or Ferry Transfer: $20
- Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Rio Dulce, Izabal: $39
- Bus transfer from Flores, Guatemala to Belize City: $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Jose
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Jose are as follows:
-
Taxi from SJO$28
-
Local Bus$3.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from San Jose to Arenal-La Fortuna San Carlos: $48
- Transfer from SJO Airport or surrounding to Manuel Antonio: $229
- Transfer TO or FROM SJO Airport to Esterillos - Bejuco Not Shared: $240
- Transfer SJO Airport to Caldera Puntarenas Dock Cruises & Hotels: $145
- Transfer 1 to 6 Pax Juan Santamaria Airport to SJO Hotels: $65
- Shared transfer to Manuel Antonio: $70
- Scenic Coach Transfers San José to Arenal AM & back at 19:00 hrs: $58
- San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Limon: Private Transfer: $299
- San Jose to Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) – Departure Private Transfer: $57
- San Jose to Fortuna - Arenal: Private Transfer: $200
- San Jose Airport Private Transfer to La Fortuna 1 to 4 People: $240
- San Jose Airport One way Luxury & Private Transfer to Jaco up to 5 people.: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Flores or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Flores 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 dayFlores $23San Jose $34
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: $35
- San Jose By Night: Farm to Table Dinner & Cocktail Class: $49
- San José Market-to-Table Tour: Cooking Class with a Local Chef: $68
- 3.5h Cooking Class in San José with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $75
- Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup: $80
- San Jose By Night: Sights & Culture Tour with Local Dinner: $80
- Dinner + Typical dance show at the best viewpoint in San José: $92
- City Tour and Dinner at the Best Lookout in San Jose: $149
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $185
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Flores $20San Jose $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Flores
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Flores's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Tikal Entrance (for 2)$39
-
Map of Tikal$3.27
Tours and Activities in Flores
For Flores, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Day Tour to Tikal and Yaxhá from Flores Island: $220
- 4 Hours Private Tour to see the sunset at El Rey Canek Viewpoint: $100
- All Inclusive Tikal Tour from Flores and Airport: $105
- All Inclusive Tikal Tour from Flores or Mayan World Airport: $78
- Basic Tour to Tikal Includes Transportation and Guide Service: $25
- 1-Day Tikal Tour Private Service From your Hotel: $185
- Blue Crater, Imox Lagoon & Hidden Pools Tour: $75
- Tikal National Park Tour with Mayan Energy Reading: $222
- Yaxha Shared Sunset Tour with Transportation & Guide: $25
- From Flores Guided Tour to Tikal with transportation + lunch: $75
- From Flores Petén: Tour to Playa 3 Naciones: $150
- From 2-Day Semuc Champey Tour with Caves & Tubing: $38
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 Combo Tour Irazu Crater Turrialba Eruption Area: $199
- 2 in 1 Volcano Irazu + San Jose City Tour: $187
- 3 Hour Painting Experience in Uvita: $80
- 3-Hour Downtown San Jose Walking Tour: $40
- A taste of Aquiares - 2 hours Coffee Tour: $42
- AWA Water Museum - Waterfall Adventure (Organic Food Experience): $98
- Action Packed Class 4 Rafting Adventure: $95
- Adventure Zip Lining at the Cloud Forest from San José: $149
- 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
- Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs Full-Day Tour from San José: $197
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlores $21San Jose $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Flores
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Flores are as follows:
-
Two Margaritas$2.62
Sample the Local Flavors in San Jose
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
- Bar Crawl in Downtown San Jose: $40
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $95
- Bar Crawl in San Jose in a Deluxe Party Bus: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Flores and San Jose, we can see that San Jose is more expensive. And not only is Flores much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Flores would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Flores 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 San Jose would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Jose than you might in Flores.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Flores Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Flores or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Flores. When comparing the sizes of Flores 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.
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.