Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Genoa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Genoa or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Genoa 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: Genoa or San Jose?
Genoa
Located on the coast of northwest Italy, Genoa is a port city and capital of the Liguria region. With a long history as a rich and powerful trade center, Genoa's past of many centuries is still visible in its old port, stunning architecture, and charming alleyways. A traveler can spend days walking along seaside villas, admiring towering churches, and shopping the boutiques of the city. Genoa is also the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, featuring what is thought to be his birth home and many other quaint abodes.
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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in 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 dayGenoa €150San Jose €85
The average daily cost (per person) in Genoa is €150, 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 Genoa and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGenoa €88San Jose €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGenoa €176San Jose €92
Compare Hotels in Genoa and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Genoa 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: Genoa Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Genoa €8.69San Jose €18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Genoa
Also for Genoa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Savona Cruise Port to Genoa hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $118
- Savona Cruise Port to Genoa hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- Savona Cruise Port to Genoa Airport Private Departure Transfer: $59
- Private transfer from Genoa to Portofino with Hotel or Cruise Port pick-up: $120
- Private Transfer: Genoa Cruise Port to Genoa City in Minivan: $66
- Private Transfer from/to Genoa to/from Portofino: $124
- Private Transfer from/to Genoa Airport: $71
- Private Transfer from Santa Margherita Port to Genoa Airport GOA: $44
- Private Transfer from Santa Margherita Cruise Port to Genoa city: $44
- Private Transfer from Genoa, Savona or Portofino to Genoa Port by Luxury Vehicle: $66
- Private Transfer from Genoa city to Santa Margherita Cruise Port: $44
- Private Transfer from Genoa Airport GOA to Santa Margherita Port: $44
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 Genoa or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Genoa 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 dayGenoa €51San Jose €17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Genoa
For Genoa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Genoese cooking lesson in the garden with lunch: $68
- Genoa Old town Food Tour: $74
- Itinerant dinner in the old town: $75
- Street Food Tour: $85
- Do Eat Better Experience - Food Tours in Genoa: $86
- Traditional Food Tour: $91
- Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Camogli: $93
- Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Savona: $93
- Dining experience with cooking demo and wines in Rapallo: $93
- Traditional Home Cooking Class in Genoa: $93
- Tour of Genoa historic center and wine tasting with dinner: $93
- Small-group Street food tour in Savona: $97
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.Genoa €20San Jose €20
Tours and Activities in Genoa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Genoa.
- 2 Hours Private Historical Tour in Genoa: $104
- 3 Hours Private Walking Tour of Genoa from the Cruise Terminal: $240
- 7 Islands 7 Stops Tour of Archipelago La Maddalena: $90
- Aquarium of Genoa + Panera Ice Cream Taste experience: $32
- Aquarium of Genoa Ticket and Whale Watching Cruise: $70
- Aquarium of Entry Ticket and Aperitif: $31
- Cesarine: Market Tour & Dining at a Local's Home in Genoa: $152
- City Sightseeing Genoa Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $27
- Departure by Private Car from Genoa City to Genoa Cruise Port: $44
- Discover Genoa, old town walking tour: $131
- E-Bike, Scooter and Scooter Tour: $38
- E-bike tour in Genova: $82
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 dayGenoa €10San Jose €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Genoa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Genoa:
- Guided Eco Hiking and Sea View Wine Tasting in Portofino Park: $75
- 3 Hour Pesto Making and Wine Tasting Activity in Campetto Genoa: $105
- CAMOGLI: PRIVATE Ligurian Wine Tasting Experience and walking on National Park: $126
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 Genoa and San Jose, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Genoa 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 Genoa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Genoa 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 Genoa Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Genoa or San Jose?
Genoa has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Genoa 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 Genoa or San Jose?
Genoa 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 Genoa or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Genoa and San Jose. The summer months attract visitors to Genoa because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Genoa is cooler than San Jose. Typically, the summer temperatures in Genoa in July average around 25°C (76°F), and San Jose averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In Genoa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Genoa usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Genoa gets 295 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, Genoa usually receives less rain than San Jose. Genoa gets 12 mm (0.5 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 JulyGenoa 25°C (76°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Genoa or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Genoa as well as San Jose. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Genoa this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In October, Genoa is generally cooler than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Genoa average around 19°C (66°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Genoa often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Genoa gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Genoa usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Genoa gets 97 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 OctoberGenoa 19°C (66°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Genoa or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Genoa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Genoa 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.
Genoa is much colder than San Jose in the winter. The daily temperature in Genoa averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in San Jose. Genoa usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Genoa gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Genoa usually receives more rain than San Jose. Genoa gets 71 mm (2.8 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 JanuaryGenoa 11°C (51°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Genoa or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Genoa during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Genoa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
In the spring, Genoa is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the spring temperatures in Genoa in April average around 15°C (58°F), and San Jose averages at about 29°C (85°F).
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Genoa often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Genoa gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Genoa usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Genoa gets 65 mm (2.6 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 AprilGenoa 15°C (58°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Genoa
| Genoa | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 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.