Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Florianopolis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Florianopolis or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Florianopolis 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: Florianopolis or San Jose?
Florianopolis
With a population of almost 500,000, Florianopolis is the capital city of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The city is split between mainland Brazil and Santa Catarina Island.
Florianopolis has grown in popularity with tourists recently because of its wonderful scenery, beautiful beaches, and fascinating culture. Many Brazilians have also moved here, leaving behind the big cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Florianopolis has a warm humid subtropical climate. There are summer, winter, spring and fall seasons. Frosts are rare but do occur occasionally. Highs during the warmest months are usually in the high 70s Fahrenheit. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year and there is no distinct dry season.
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 G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro, 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 dayFlorianopolis $62San Jose $90
The average daily cost (per person) in Florianopolis is $62, while the average daily cost in San Jose is $90. 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 Florianopolis and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlorianopolis $26San Jose $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlorianopolis $52San Jose $98
Compare Hotels in Florianopolis and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Florianopolis 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: Florianopolis Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Florianopolis $13San Jose $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florianopolis
Also for Florianopolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Florianópolis Airport / Costão do Santinho: $78
- Shared transfer from Florianópolis airport to Balneário Camboriú: $35
- Roundtrip transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $168
- Private Transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $97
- Private Transfer from FLN Airport to the City Balneario Camboriú : $84
- Private Transfer Florianopolis Airport to Bal. Camboriu: $96
- Private Transfer Florianópolis Airport to City Center: $32
- One Way Transfer : Florianopolis Airport to or from Florianopolis: $64
- Hercilio Luz Airport - North Island Transfer: $14
- Florianópolis Airport Transfer anywhere on the island by Floripa Nativa: $40
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$2.72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- transfer from Juan Santamaria airport to Dominical and Uvita: $290
- Transfers to Occidental Papagayo - Secrets Resort, Round-Trip: $130
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from SanJose Juan Santamaría Airport to SanJose City: $39
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from SanJose City to SanJose Juan Santamaría Airport: $39
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Transfer from SJO Airport to Jaco or vice versa: $125
- Transfer TO or FROM SJO Airport to Monteverde Area. Private, NOT SHARED: $215
- Transfer TO & FROM SJO Airport to Esterillos - Bejuco Not Shared.: $180
- Transfer SJO Airport to Hotels nearby or Vice versa Private 6 PAX: $45
- Transfer SJO Airport TO & FROM Dominical OR Uvita (One Way): $290
- Transfer From San Jose to Puerto Viejo: $80
- Transfer Airport Area to Jaco Hotels Private One Way Transport: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Florianopolis or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Florianopolis 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 dayFlorianopolis $22San Jose $18
Typical Food Prices in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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A Quick Snack$0.44
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
- Tropical Cooking Classes: $52
- 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
- Private Authentic Food Tour in San José: $84
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Florianopolis $26San Jose $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florianopolis
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Florianopolis's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Internet$0.59
Tours and Activities in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Balneário Camboriú City Tour from Florianópolis: $35
- Bike Tour in Florianopolis - Sunset, Photography and History: $70
- Blumenau City Tour - departing from Florianópolis: $37
- Blumenau City Tour from Florianópolis: $38
- Bombinhas Beach and 4 Islands Tour: $22
- Florianópolis Full Day City Tour: $25
- Floripa City Tour by Bus - Whole Island - The Most Complete City Tour: $32
- Historic Center Walking Tour in Florianopolis with Local Bar Hop: $14
- Lagoinha do Leste Hiking and Photography Adventure : $42
- Mountain biking experiences in Florianópolis: $58
- Private Day Tour: Florianópolis Island with Professional Pictures: $154
- Private South Island Beaches and Lagoons Tour: $44
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Street Food Walking Tour in Downtown San Jose: $60
- 2-Hour Downtown San Jose Walking Tour: $33
- 2-Hour Orosi Nocturnal Tour: $33
- 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 Combo Experience: Canopy & Rapell + Thermals: $65
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlorianopolis $8.68San Jose $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florianopolis
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florianopolis from other travelers:
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Beer$0.59
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 Florianopolis and San Jose, we can see that San Jose is more expensive. And not only is Florianopolis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Florianopolis is in South America 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 Florianopolis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Florianopolis Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Florianopolis or San Jose?
Florianopolis has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis or San Jose?
Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis or San Jose in the Summer?
Both San Jose and Florianopolis are popular destinations to visit in the summer 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, Florianopolis is generally cooler than San Josein July. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 25°C (76°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Florianopolis usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Florianopolis gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. It's quite rainy in Florianopolis. In January, Florianopolis usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Josein July. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 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 January and JulyFlorianopolis 25°C (76°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Florianopolis during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Florianopolis is cooler than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 22°C (71°F) in April, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
In the autumn, Florianopolis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Josein October. Florianopolis gets 179 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Florianopolis usually gets less rain in April than San Josein October. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 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 April and OctoberFlorianopolis 22°C (71°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or San Jose in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and San Jose. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Florianopolis is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Florianopolis in July average around 17°C (62°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Florianopolis gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than San Josein January. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 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 July and JanuaryFlorianopolis 17°C (62°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as San Jose. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In October, Florianopolis is generally cooler than San Josein April. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 20°C (68°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In the spring, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than San Josein April. Florianopolis gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Florianopolis receives a lot of rain in the spring. Florianopolis usually gets more rain in October than San Josein April. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 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 October and AprilFlorianopolis 20°C (68°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Florianopolis
| Florianopolis | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (76°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 95 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (71°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.