Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Karlovy Vary?
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 Karlovy Vary or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Karlovy Vary and San Jose can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Karlovy Vary or San Jose?
Karlovy Vary
Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.
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 Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Karlovy Vary Prices
Czech Republic PricesSan Jose Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKarlovy Vary $115San Jose $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Karlovy Vary is $115, while the average daily cost in San Jose is $103. 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 Karlovy Vary and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarlovy Vary $45San Jose $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarlovy Vary $90San Jose $98
Compare Hotels in Karlovy Vary and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Karlovy Vary 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: Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karlovy Vary $30San Jose $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $141
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $131
- Karlovy Vary to Prague Airport (PRG) - Departure Private Transfer: $167
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$2.72
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 Montezuma: $300
- San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Limon: Private Transfer : $299
- San Jose to Guanacaste: Private Transfer : $299
- Private Transfer From San Jose to Cahuita With 2 Stops: $298
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Liberia: $297
- Transfer one way from San Jose or Airport to Hotel RIU Guanacaste : $295
- Private Transfer San Jose SJO Airport to Puerto Viejo by Minivan: $283
- Private Transfer: San José Apto to Puerto Viejo / Cahuita (Limón): $280
- Private One Way Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $280
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Private Transfer: San José Airport to Puerto Viejo / Cahuita : $275
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Cahuita: $272
Is it cheaper to fly into Karlovy Vary or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Karlovy Vary 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 dayKarlovy Vary $52San Jose $31
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 including Markets: $29
- San Jose Cooking Classes visit Central Market: $52
- San Jose By Night: Farm to Table Dinner, Cooking & Cocktail Class: $59
- Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup: $78
- San Jose By Night: Sights & Culture Tour with Local Dinner : $80
- Dinner + Typical dance show at the best viewpoint in San José: $92
- Street Food Tour in San Jose with a Local Guide: $113
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Karlovy Vary $13San Jose $21
Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $245
- Karlovy Vary Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $42
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $273
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $184
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 in 1 Volcano Irazu + San Jose City Tour: $187
- 2-Hour Orosi Nocturnal Tour: $33
- 3-Hour Downtown San Jose Walking Tour: $40
- A taste of Aquiares - 2 hours Coffee Tour: $42
- ATV Off Road Poas Volcano Adventure and Hiking for two persons.: $130
- Action Packed Class 4 Rafting Adventure : $95
- Adventure Park: $190
- Adventure Zip Lining at the Cloud Forest from San José: $138
- Airtime Zipline Adventure in Arenal: $60
- Arenal Combo Experience: Canopy & Rapell + Thermals: $65
- Arenal Hanging Bridges and Hot Springs Private Tour from San Jose: $295
- Arenal Volcano & Baldi Hot Springs one day tour from San Jose: $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKarlovy Vary $7.53San 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 : $30
- Bar Crawl in Downtown San Jose: $39
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $85
- Bar Crawl in San Jose in a Deluxe Party Bus: $100
When comparing the travel costs between Karlovy Vary and San Jose, we can see that Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Karlovy Vary or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary or San Jose?
Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Karlovy Vary and San Jose. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Karlovy Vary is cooler than San Jose in the summer. The daily temperature in Karlovy Vary averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Karlovy Vary, it's very sunny this time of the year. Karlovy Vary usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Karlovy Vary gets 217 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, Karlovy Vary usually receives less rain than San Jose. Karlovy Vary gets 61 mm (2.4 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 JulyKarlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Karlovy Vary or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Karlovy Vary as well as San Jose. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In the autumn, Karlovy Vary is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Karlovy Vary in October average around 11°C (51°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Karlovy Vary often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Karlovy Vary gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Karlovy Vary usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Karlovy Vary gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in San Jose is the dry season. Also, the hurricane season in San Jose is May to November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKarlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Karlovy Vary or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Karlovy Vary are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Karlovy Vary can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Karlovy Vary is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Karlovy Vary average around 1°C (33°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in San Jose. Karlovy Vary usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Karlovy Vary gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Karlovy Vary usually receives more rain than San Jose. Karlovy Vary gets 38 mm (1.5 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 JanuaryKarlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Karlovy Vary or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Karlovy Vary during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Karlovy Vary is much colder than San Jose in the spring. The daily temperature in Karlovy Vary averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Karlovy Vary often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Karlovy Vary gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Karlovy Vary usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Karlovy Vary gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in San Jose. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in San Jose.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKarlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Karlovy Vary
| Karlovy Vary | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.