Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Grand-Bourg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Grand-Bourg 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 Grand-Bourg 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: Grand-Bourg or San Jose?
Grand-Bourg
Marie-Galante is an island of the Guadeloupe archipelago, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean. Sometimes called the "Big Pancake" for its circular shape and flat terrain, the island is a prime location for sugar fields which provide the ingredients for Marie Galante's famous cane juice rum. The island is also known for its many windmills, beaches, and historic plantations.
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 Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand-Bourg €180San Jose €85
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand-Bourg is €180, 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 Grand-Bourg and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand-Bourg €98San Jose €46
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand-Bourg €196San Jose €92
Compare Hotels in Grand-Bourg and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Grand-Bourg 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: San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand-Bourg €53San Jose €18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Jose
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Jose are as follows:
-
Taxi from SJO€24
-
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 San José Airport - La Fortuna: $180
- Airport transfer from SJO Airport to Los Sueños Marriott: $170
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport SJO to Arenal by Minivan: $177
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport SJO to San Jose City by Minivan: $35
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport to Manuel Antonio by Minivan: $158
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Cahuita, English Speaking Driver: $240
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Limon, English Speaking Driver: $192
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Monteverde, English Speaking Driver: $180
- Direct transfer from San Jose to La Fortuna, English Speaking Driver: $153
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $135
- Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO) to San Jose - Private Transfer: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand-Bourg or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Grand-Bourg 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 dayGrand-Bourg €49San Jose €17
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand-Bourg €26San Jose €20
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Entrance ticket to the Hacienda Orosi: $21
- Hiking Experience in El Quetzal Private Reserve: $26
- Visit a Butterfly Chapel, Gardens, Coffee Tour with Typical Lunch: $30
- Private Roasting and Cupping Coffee Experience: $30
- Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour: $31
- Poas Volcano National Park - Admission Ticket: $32
- 2-Hour Downtown San Jose Walking Tour: $33
- Private Custom Guided Tour in San Jose: $33
- 2-Hour Orosi Nocturnal Tour: $33
- San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees: $33
- Skip the Line: Rescate Wildlife Rescue Centre General Admission Ticket: $35
- Historical Tour and Old Houses by Dota: $35
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand-Bourg €39San 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand-Bourg and San Jose, we can see that Grand-Bourg is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand-Bourg is in Caribbean Islands 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 Grand-Bourg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grand-Bourg 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 Grand-Bourg Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand-Bourg or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Grand-Bourg. When comparing the sizes of Grand-Bourg 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 Grand-Bourg or San Jose?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Grand-Bourg or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Grand-Bourg as well as San Jose. Grand-Bourg attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Grand-Bourg receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand-Bourg usually gets less rain in July than San Jose. Grand-Bourg gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Grand-Bourg this time of the year. In the summer, Grand-Bourg often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Grand-Bourg gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
In July, Grand-Bourg is generally around the same temperature as San Jose. Daily temperatures in Grand-Bourg average around 27°C (81°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand-Bourg 27°C (81°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Grand-Bourg or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Grand-Bourg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand-Bourg throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. It's quite rainy in Grand-Bourg. In October, Grand-Bourg usually receives less rain than San Jose. Grand-Bourg gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Grand-Bourg. Grand-Bourg usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during autumn. Grand-Bourg gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Grand-Bourg is around the same temperature as San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grand-Bourg averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand-Bourg 27°C (80°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Grand-Bourg or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Grand-Bourg during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grand-Bourg because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Grand-Bourg usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Grand-Bourg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Grand-Bourg. In the winter, Grand-Bourg often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Grand-Bourg gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Grand-Bourg is cooler than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand-Bourg in January average around 24°C (76°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand-Bourg 24°C (76°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Grand-Bourg or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand-Bourg and San Jose. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand-Bourg year-round. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Grand-Bourg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Grand-Bourg usually receives more rain than San Jose. Grand-Bourg gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. In Grand-Bourg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Grand-Bourg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose during spring. Grand-Bourg gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Grand-Bourg is generally cooler than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Grand-Bourg average around 26°C (78°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand-Bourg 26°C (78°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Grand-Bourg
| Grand-Bourg | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°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.