Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Kyoto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kyoto 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 Kyoto 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: Kyoto or San Jose?
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, 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 dayKyoto $96San Jose $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Kyoto is $96, 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 Kyoto and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKyoto $63San Jose $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKyoto $126San Jose $96
Compare Hotels in Kyoto and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Kyoto 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: Kyoto Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kyoto $7.56San Jose $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Shared Departure Transfer: Kyoto City to Osaka Itami Airport: $69
- Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kansai International Airport: $69
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Osaka Itami International airport: $80
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $110
- Osaka City to/from Kyoto City Private transfer: $229
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $141
- Osaka (Itami) Airport ITM Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $220
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Itami Airport: $327
- Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $505
- Kyoto to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $72
- Kansai Intl. Airport KIX Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $230
- Kansai Int Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $274
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:
- 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 to Manuel Antonio by Minivan: $158
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Monteverde, English Speaking Driver: $181
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $136
- Juan Santamaria Intl Airport(SJO) to Puntarenas city-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $167
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Puntarenas city- Arrival Private Transfer: $83
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $64
- One way Transfer from SJO airport or San José to Playa Dominical max 5 passenger: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Kyoto or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Kyoto 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 dayKyoto $24San Jose $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $41
- Japanese Washoku Bento Cooking Class with Lunch: $46
- Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour: $47
- Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with Local Hosts in Peaceful Kyoto Suburb Otsu: $49
- Private Guided Traditional Buddhist Cooking in Japan: $58
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $59
- Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class: $61
- Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class: $61
- Japanese Cooking Class: $62
- Sushi - Authentic Japanese Cooking Class - the best souvenir from Kyoto!: $64
- Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class with Tastings: $64
- Wagashi(Japanese sweets) Cooking :Kyoto near Fushimiinari: $65
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.Kyoto $13San Jose $21
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hour Walking Historic Gion Tour in Kyoto Geisha Spotting Area: $300
- Bar Hopping Private Tour in Kyoto: $48
- Kyoto Private Full-day Walking Tour from Kyoto Station: $154
- Osaka Kyoto Experience Japanese Homogi: $134
- "Unlock Kyoto's Charm: Government-Certified Group Tour: $90
- 1 Day Hiking Tour in the Mountains of Kyoto: $174
- 1-Hour Japanese Archery Experience in Kyoto: $39
- 1.5 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience: $66
- 10 Hrs Full day Kyoto Tour w/Hotel Pick-up: $588
- 2 Hour Night Walking Tour Throughout Gion in a Small Group: $67
- 2 Hours Shared Kendo Experience In Kyoto Japan: $120
- 2-Hour Shopping Tour Plan / private: $131
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 Roasting and Cupping Coffee Experience: $30
- Sarapiqui Frog Tour: $30
- Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour: $31
- Poas Volcano National Park - Admission Ticket: $32
- San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees: $33
- Skip the Line: Rescate Wildlife Rescue Centre General Admission Ticket: $35
- San Jose Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- San Jose ART Walking Tour - small groups, creative experience: $35
- Corso Lecheria Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKyoto $12San Jose $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Japanese Sake Brewery and Fushimi Inari Sightseeing Tour: $18
- Kyoto Local Bar Crawl in Kawaramachi Area: $40
- Sake Brewery &Great Yakitori Experience: $78
- Sake Brewery and Tasting Tour in Fushimi: $82
- Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour: $84
- Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing: $85
- Rural Brewery Town Walk: Half-Day Private Tour Near Kyoto: $100
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: $159
- Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto: $187
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $195
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $196
- Private Guided Local Bar Crawl Experience in Kyoto: $223
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 comparing the travel costs between Kyoto and San Jose, we can see that Kyoto 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 Kyoto is in Asia 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 Kyoto Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kyoto or San Jose?
Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Kyoto 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 Kyoto or San Jose?
Kyoto 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 Kyoto or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kyoto as well as San Jose. Most visitors come to Kyoto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In July, Kyoto is generally around the same temperature as San Jose. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 27°C (81°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In the summer, Kyoto often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Kyoto gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kyoto usually gets more rain in July than San Jose. Kyoto gets 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKyoto 27°C (81°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Kyoto are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Kyoto is much colder than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kyoto averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Kyoto usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose during autumn. Kyoto gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. It's quite rainy in Kyoto. In October, Kyoto usually receives less rain than San Jose. Kyoto gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKyoto 18°C (64°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Kyoto during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kyoto this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
It's quite cold in Kyoto in the winter. In the winter, Kyoto is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kyoto in January average around 5°C (40°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Kyoto often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Kyoto gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.
Kyoto usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Kyoto gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKyoto 5°C (40°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kyoto and San Jose. Many travelers come to Kyoto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Kyoto is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 14°C (58°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. Kyoto usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during spring. Kyoto gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kyoto usually receives more rain than San Jose. Kyoto gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKyoto 14°C (58°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Kyoto
| Kyoto | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.