Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Gothenburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gothenburg or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gothenburg 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: Gothenburg or San Jose?
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden with a population of about 500,000. It is located on the western coast at the edge of the Gota River. It's a very friendly and welcoming city with a great vibe. Part of its energy comes from the Gothenburg University, which, with over 60,000 students, is the largest university in the country. Historically, Gothenburg has working class roots which are still apparent today, particularly in the city's harbour area. Recently there has been a growing number of expensive restaurants and cafes, showing that the demographic continues to evolve.
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 10-Day Tours in Sweden, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden, 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 dayGothenburg $98San Jose $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $98, while the average daily cost in San Jose is $89. 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 Gothenburg and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGothenburg $40San Jose $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGothenburg $80San Jose $96
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg 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: Gothenburg Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gothenburg $18San Jose $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $146
- Trondheim Vaernes Airport TRD to Are Resort - Round-Trip Transfer: $230
- Transfer From Gothenburg Hotel To Gothenburg Museum of Art: $32
- Private Transfer from Gothenburg city to Goteborg Cruise Port: $65
- Private Transfer from Gothenburg Airport (GOT) to Goteborg Port: $50
- Private Transfer from Goteborg Cruise Port to Gothenburg City: $65
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $102
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Stockholm: $509
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $120
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
- Ostersund Private Transfer from Central Ostersund to Ostersund Airport: $176
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $15
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$2.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers to Occidental Papagayo - Secrets Resort, Round-Trip: $130
- Transfer to Los Sueños Marriot Playa Herradura from San Jose or Airport: $215
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from SanJose Juan Santamaría Airport to SanJose City: $39
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Transfer from Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) to Quepos Cruise Port: $72
- Transfer TO & FROM SJO Airport to Esterillos - Bejuco Not Shared.: $180
- Transfer SJO Airport TO & FROM Dominical OR Uvita (One Way): $290
- Transfer Costa Rica SJO Airport To OR From Hotels nearby Private : $45
- Transfer Airport area to Manuel Antonio Hotels Private One Way: $185
- Transfer Airport Area to Jaco Hotels Private One Way Transport: $150
- Shuttle & transfer rides to Jaco beach: $137
- Shared transfer to Manuel Antonio: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Gothenburg 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 dayGothenburg $38San Jose $18
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.Gothenburg $16San Jose $21
Tours and Activities in Gothenburg
For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Days Private Tour in Gothenburg: $300
- 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour: $32
- Archipelago Tour with guide Gothenburg: $40
- Bike Tour Gothenburg, Guided Bicycle Tours: $113
- City Kayak Tour: $60
- City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $32
- Discover Gothenburg - Private Walking Tour: $224
- Egypt Oasis Adventure Package: $926
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $37
- Entry Ticket To Universeum in Gothenburg with pickup: $65
- Fascinating Gothenburg Walking Tour for Couples: $257
- Fatbike Experience in Sorsele: $114
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 dayGothenburg $21San Jose $16
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 comparing the travel costs between Gothenburg and San Jose, we can see that Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or San Jose?
Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 50% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg or San Jose?
Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg or San Jose in the Summer?
Both San Jose and Gothenburg 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 the summer, Gothenburg is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gothenburg in July average around 16°C (61°F), and San Jose averages at about 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gothenburg. Gothenburg usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Gothenburg gets 243 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. In July, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than San Jose. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 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 JulyGothenburg 16°C (61°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Gothenburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
In October, Gothenburg is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 9°C (47°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Gothenburg gets 94 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. Gothenburg usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 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 OctoberGothenburg 9°C (47°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or San Jose in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and San Jose. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Gothenburg can be very cold during winter. Gothenburg is much colder than San Jose in the winter. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than San Jose. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 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 JanuaryGothenburg -2°C (29°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as San Jose. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In the spring, Gothenburg is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gothenburg in April average around 5°C (41°F), and San Jose averages at about 29°C (85°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In the spring, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 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 AprilGothenburg 5°C (41°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Gothenburg
| Gothenburg | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 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.