Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Isla de Ometepe?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Isla de Ometepe or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Isla de Ometepe 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: Isla de Ometepe or San Jose?
Isla de Ometepe
Ometepe is a dramatically beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua. The island is the largest in the lake and is formed by two dramatic twin volcanoes that climb high from the water's surface. The two volcanoes are Concepcion and Maderas, and they are joined by an isthmus to make one island with an area of 276 square kilometers. The island is 31 kilometers long and between 5 and 10 kilometers wide. There are several small settlements on the island as well as a few coffee plantations. It is also one of the top sights in the country and makes for a unique travel destination.
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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Isla de Ometepe Prices
Nicaragua PricesSan Jose Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIsla de Ometepe $44San Jose $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Isla de Ometepe is $44, while the average daily cost in San Jose is $101. 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 Isla de Ometepe and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIsla de Ometepe $13San Jose $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIsla de Ometepe $26San Jose $96
Compare Hotels in Isla de Ometepe and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Isla de Ometepe 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Isla de Ometepe $11San Jose $19
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$2.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport SJO to San Jose City by Minivan: $40
- Private One-way Transfer from Juan Santamaria Airport to San Jose: $40
- Private One-way Transfer from San Jose to Juan Santamaria Airport: $40
- SJO Airport TO or FROM Downtown Hotels Costa Rica Transfer: $44
- Private Airport and Hotel Transfer: Alajuela and San Jose: $45
- Private Transfer from San Jose to La Fortuna de Arenal: $46
- Transfer from San Jose to Arenal-La Fortuna San Carlos: $48
- Private transfer from San Jose-Heredia-Alajuela Hotels to International Airport: $60
- Transfer to the San Carlos fortune: $60
- Private transfer from SJO Intl Airport to downtown Hotels: $65
- Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO) to San Jose - Private Transfer: $69
- San Jose to Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) – Departure Private Transfer: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Isla de Ometepe or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Isla de Ometepe 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 dayIsla de Ometepe $22San Jose $30
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 visit Markets: $35
- Tropical Cooking Classes: $52
- Family Cooking Classes visit Central Market: $55
- San Jose By Night tour Farm to Table Dinner & Cocktail Class: $63
- Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour and National Museum : $65
- San Jose By Night: Sights & Culture Tour with Local Dinner : $70
- Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup: $78
- Dinner + Typical dance show at the best viewpoint in San José: $99
- Street Food Tour in San Jose with a Local Guide: $102
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Isla de Ometepe $13San Jose $21
Tours and Activities in Isla de Ometepe
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla de Ometepe are as follows:
- A great tour day for the ISLAND OF OMETEPE.: $80
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 Farm of Hacienda Orosi: $11
- Entrance ticket to the Hacienda Orosi: $21
- Hiking Experience in El Quetzal Private Reserve: $26
- Private Guided Tour of Cheese in Canaan de Rivas: $30
- Sarapiqui Frog Tour: $30
- Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour: $31
- Poas Volcano National Park - Admission Ticket: $32
- San Jose Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $32
- San Jose : Private Custom Guided Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $32
- Historical Tour and Old Houses by Dota: $35
- San Jose ART Walking Tour - small groups, creative experience: $35
- Rio Celeste Funny Milking & Farming Experience: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIsla de Ometepe $8.84San Jose $16
Sample the Local Flavors in San Jose
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
- Exclusive Pub Crawl in San Jose : $34
- Bar Crawl in Downtown San Jose: $37
- 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 Isla de Ometepe and San Jose, we can see that San Jose is more expensive. And not only is Isla de Ometepe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Isla de Ometepe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Isla de Ometepe Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe or San Jose in the Summer?
Both San Jose and Isla de Ometepe during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Isla de Ometepe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Isla de Ometepe. Isla de Ometepe usually gets less rain in July than San Jose. Isla de Ometepe gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Isla de Ometepe often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose. Isla de Ometepe gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as San Jose in the summer. The daily temperature in Isla de Ometepe averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIsla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Isla de Ometepe and San Jose. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Isla de Ometepe year-round. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in San Jose is the dry season. May to November in San Jose is the hurricane season. San Jose receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Isla de Ometepe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Isla de Ometepe usually receives less rain than San Jose. Isla de Ometepe gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Isla de Ometepe usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during autumn. Isla de Ometepe gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as San Jose. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Isla de Ometepe in October average around 27°C (81°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIsla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or San Jose in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Isla de Ometepe as well as San Jose. Isla de Ometepe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
Isla de Ometepe usually gets less rain in January than San Jose. Isla de Ometepe gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Isla de Ometepe this time of the year. In the winter, Isla de Ometepe often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Isla de Ometepe gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.
In January, Isla de Ometepe is generally around the same temperature as San Jose. Daily temperatures in Isla de Ometepe average around 26°C (79°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIsla de Ometepe 26°C (79°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Isla de Ometepe are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Isla de Ometepe throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in San Jose is December to April. The hurricane season in San Jose is May to November. In April, Isla de Ometepe usually receives less rain than San Jose. Isla de Ometepe gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in San Jose. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Isla de Ometepe. Isla de Ometepe usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose during spring. Isla de Ometepe gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as San Jose in the spring. The daily temperature in Isla de Ometepe averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIsla de Ometepe 29°C (84°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Isla de Ometepe
| Isla de Ometepe | San Jose | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.