Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Helsinki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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: Helsinki or San Jose?
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and dates back to 1550. Helsinki is an international metropolis with a diverse population, but also a small town vibe. The city itself has a population of just over 600,000 but the metropolitan area, including Espoo and Vantaa, has a population of more than 1.3 million. There are many outdoor bars and cafes that take advantage of the warmer summer months. During this time there are long days, and the population floods into the street after a long and cold winter, so visiting during the summer is a fun and lively experience.
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 Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHelsinki €139San Jose €85
The average daily cost (per person) in Helsinki is €139, 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 Helsinki and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHelsinki €73San Jose €46
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHelsinki €146San Jose €92
Compare Hotels in Helsinki and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Helsinki 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: Helsinki Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Helsinki €22San Jose €18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vantaa Airport(HEL) to Helsinki hotels-RoundTrip Private Transfer: $83
- VIP Transfer Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to city in a Porsche Taycan: $137
- VIP Transfer HELSINKI: $147
- VIP Airport transfers in Helsinki region: $152
- Private transfer from Helsinki Airport with Meet & Greet: $129
- Private Transfer: Helsinki City to Cruise Port in Luxury Van: $93
- Private Transfer: Helsinki Airport HEL to Helsinki in Luxury Van: $104
- Private Transfer: Cruise Port to Helsinki in Business Car: $92
- Private Transfer: Airport HEL to Helsinki in Business Car: $97
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Cruise Terminal to Helsinki hotels: $32
- PRIVATE Helsinki VIP Transfer: $147
- Private City Highlights Tour with Transfer: $743
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:
- 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 Helsinki or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Helsinki 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 dayHelsinki €34San Jose €17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- FOOD Tour with Rooftop Bar Visit in Helsinki: $107
- FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $108
- Helsinki Food Tour Including Tastings: $164
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Helsinki €27San Jose €20
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Helsinki Highlights Tour: the Top Sightseeing Spots: $142
- 2-Hours Private Modern Boat Tour in Helsinki Archipelago: $284
- 3 Hours Helsinki Stopover Tour from Airport: $98
- A Finntastic Walking Tour in Helsinki: $21
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Helsinki's Historical Highlights: $7.99
- All-in-One Helsinki Shore Excursion for Cruise Ships: $1,049
- CITY Tour with Food Tasting in Helsinki: $107
- CITY Tour with Food Tasting in Helsinki: $163
- City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $37
- Cozy Guided City Tour: Helsinki & Porvoo: $97
- E-Bike rental / Self-Guided tour to Seurasaari: $52
- First Time in Helsinki Tour: $334
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHelsinki €16San 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 Helsinki and San Jose, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Helsinki 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 Helsinki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Helsinki 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 Helsinki Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Helsinki or San Jose?
Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 67% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki 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 Helsinki or San Jose?
Helsinki 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 Helsinki or San Jose in the Summer?
Both San Jose and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Helsinki is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 17°C (62°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Helsinki. Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Helsinki gets 275 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, Helsinki usually receives less rain than San Jose. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyHelsinki 17°C (62°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Helsinki during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Helsinki is much colder than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Helsinki gets 90 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. Helsinki usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHelsinki 6°C (42°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or San Jose in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and San Jose. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Helsinki in the winter. In the winter, Helsinki is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Helsinki in January average around -6°C (21°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Helsinki usually receives more rain than San Jose. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHelsinki -6°C (21°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as San Jose. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. In April, Helsinki is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 3°C (37°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, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Helsinki usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilHelsinki 3°C (37°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Helsinki
| Helsinki | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (21°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 34 mm (1.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (26°F) | 58 mm (2.3 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.