Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Kuala Lumpur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and San Jose. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kuala Lumpur or San Jose?
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
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 Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, 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 dayKuala Lumpur $62San Jose $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $62, 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 Kuala Lumpur and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKuala Lumpur $36San Jose $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKuala Lumpur $72San Jose $96
Compare Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur 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: Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kuala Lumpur $6.45San Jose $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.16
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.68
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Short Taxi Ride$3.16
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Taxi From Airport$19
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Bus from Airport$1.69
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- ~Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan Transfer [Van]: $73
- ~Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan Transfer [MPV]: $257
- ~Chauffeur: KLIA Airport to Kuala Lumpur City Centre Transfer : $137
- i-City Shah Alam Theme Park Adventure with Return Transfer: $59
- VIP Transfer by Mercedes Benz : Airport to Kuala Lumpur Hotel: $75
- VIP Arrival Transfer : Kuala Lumpur Airport: $196
- VIP Airport Transfer - Departure: $183
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Kuala Lumpur APT-HTL (KUL): $19
- Transfer To Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort : $30
- Taman Negara Kuala Tahan Transfer Private Hyundai Starex: $120
- Sunway Lagoon: Ticket with Transfer from Kuala Lumpur: $88
- Sunway Lagoon: Admission Ticket & 2-Way Transfer: $72
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 Kuala Lumpur or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Kuala Lumpur 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 dayKuala Lumpur $15San Jose $18
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$8.44
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Roti Bread$0.21
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Food Court Lunch$3.04
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$4.54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- ARAS Restaurant at KL Tower Buffet Dinner: $29
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $43
- Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Cultural Night Experience with Buffet Dinner : $53
- From Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour with Dinner: $53
- Cultural Night Tour with Dinner: $55
- Malaysia Cooking Classes: $60
- Kuala Lumpur by Night and Malaysian Food Tour: $61
- Eat Like a Local: Kuala Lumpur Hawker Center and Street Food Tour by Night: $62
- Petaling Street Heritage Food Tour: $63
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $64
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.Kuala Lumpur $13San Jose $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$9.49
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.05
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure Sports & Thrilling White-water Rafting in Kampar River: $241
- Batu Caves And Countryside Tour: $24
- Full Day Kuala Lumpur City Tour with Petronas Twin Tower Tickets: $95
- Full Day Melaka Tour with The Shore Sky Tower 43rd Floor - Unesco Heritage: $188
- Historic And Heritage Melaka Tour: $55
- History, Heritage & Culture Of Malaysia Tour: $62
- Ipoh "The Land Of Grace" + Orang Utan Island +Lunch(Guided Tour): $241
- Kuala Lumpur (Genting Highlands 7.5 hours Private Tour): $65
- Kuala Lumpur Full Day City & Shopping Tour with Lunch (PRIVATE TOUR): $77
- Malacca Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $184
- Malaysia: Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $13
- Shah Alam Islamic Arts and Culture Tours : $31
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 dayKuala Lumpur $6.25San Jose $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.49
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 Kuala Lumpur and San Jose, we can see that San Jose is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kuala Lumpur is in Asia 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 Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or San Jose?
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur or San Jose?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or San Jose in the Summer?
Both San Jose and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur. In July, Kuala Lumpur usually receives less rain than San Jose. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as San Jose in the summer. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Kuala Lumpur during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in October than San Jose. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as San Jose. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kuala Lumpur 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 OctoberKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or San Jose in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and San Jose. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than San Jose. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Kuala Lumpur is generally around the same temperature as San Jose. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as San Jose. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In the spring, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as San Jose in the spring. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Kuala Lumpur
| Kuala Lumpur | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 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.