Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Ljubljana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ljubljana or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ljubljana 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: Ljubljana or San Jose?
Ljubljana
Most people don't travel to Ljubljana to see specific sights, as there aren't many famous attractions around town. Instead, this is a city that is about atmosphere. It's a city that you explore and immerse yourself in completely. You meet the people, you go to the clubs, you find the interesting restaurants. That is the best way to learn about Ljubljana.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ljubljana, The Best 10-Day Tours from Ljubljana, 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 dayLjubljana €86San Jose €85
The average daily cost (per person) in Ljubljana is €86, 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 Ljubljana and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLjubljana €54San Jose €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLjubljana €108San Jose €92
Compare Hotels in Ljubljana and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Ljubljana 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: Ljubljana Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ljubljana €21San Jose €18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ljubljana
Also for Ljubljana, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Slovenian Coast E-Bike Tour with Transfer from Ljubljana: $148
- Private transfer from Žalec to Ljubljana city: $130
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Novo Mesto: $200
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Lipica: $218
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Krško: $257
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Kostanjevica na Krki: $261
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Kamnik : $74
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Ilirska Bistrica: $240
- Private transfer from airport Ljubljana to Celje: $171
- Private transfer from Sežana (Casino Safir) to Ljubljana city: $174
- Private transfer from Postojna to Ljubljana city: $108
- Private transfer from Ljubljana city to Slovenj Gradec: $203
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€24
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Local Bus€2.58
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 Tortuguero: $300
- Transfer SJO Airport TO & FROM Dominical OR Uvita (One Way): $290
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Tambor beach: $276
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport or Guanacaste Hotels: $276
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Manuel Antonio Quepos: $269
- Private Transfer from San Jose downtown to Liberia Airport: $267
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Samara Beach: $265
- Private Transfer: $260
- Private Transfer Airport or San Jose hotels to Puerto Viejo Limon: $259
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to La Fortuna Arenal: $259
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Liberia: $257
Is it cheaper to fly into Ljubljana or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Ljubljana 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 dayLjubljana €17San Jose €17
Typical Food Prices in Ljubljana
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ljubljana:
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Horsemeat Hot Dog€2.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ljubljana
For Ljubljana, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Slovenia: Belokranjska Pogača Cooking Class: $54
- Traditional Slovenian Dinner and Show: $65
- Cooking class; Traditional sLOVEnian štrukelj: $65
- sLOVEnian Strukelj Traditional Cooking Class: $66
- Traditional Slovenian Dinner and Performance: $74
- Flavour of Slovenia: Very Small Group Food Tour in Ljubljana: $82
- 3-Hour Food Tour: $91
- Dinner in the Dark: $107
- Šmarna Gora: Hiking and Food Tour from Ljubljana: $129
- The 10 Tastings of Ljubljana Private Food Tour : $210
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.Ljubljana €14San Jose €20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ljubljana
For Ljubljana, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Castle Tower Entrance (for 2)€8.00
Tours and Activities in Ljubljana
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ljubljana.
- Škocjan Caves, Rakov Škocjan & Marshes Tour (Slovenian underground): $152
- 2 Hour Guided Walking Tour in Ljubljana: $57
- 4-hour Bike Tour Ljubljana: $86
- 8-Hour Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj and Waterfall Savica Tour: $88
- Axe Throwing Experience in Ljubljana: $36
- Best of Private tour with Ljubljana born guide: $161
- Best of Piran, Portoroz, Strunjan, Izola, Koper (PRIVATE V.I.P. TOUR): $185
- Broken Bones Gin Experience: $37
- City Tour of Ljubljana: $175
- Discover the land of green gold - Private tour from Ljubljana: $279
- E-bike tour Škofja Loka: $131
- E-bike tour Bled: $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:
- 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 dayLjubljana €11San Jose €16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ljubljana
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ljubljana are as follows:
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Drinks at a Sidewalk Cafe (for 2)€6.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Ljubljana
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ljubljana:
- Wine Tasting Ljubljana: $59
- 2-Hour Interactive Wine Tasting Experience in Ljubljana: $63
- BEER WAY Kamnik Beer Tasting & Brewery Tour: $83
- Food & Wine tour with a Sommelier: $94
- Food & Wine Tour Ljubljana - Local Foodie Adventure in Slovenia: $97
- From Ljubjana: Slovenian Wine Tour: $193
- Wine Tours in Slovenia: $218
- Wine Tours Slovenia: $218
- Wine Tour Slovenia: $261
- Truffle Hunting & Wine Tasting In Istria (private V.i.p. Tour): $263
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 Ljubljana and San Jose, we can see that Ljubljana 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 Ljubljana 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 Ljubljana Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ljubljana or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Ljubljana. When comparing the sizes of Ljubljana 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 Ljubljana or San Jose?
Ljubljana 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 Ljubljana or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ljubljana and San Jose. The summer months attract visitors to Ljubljana because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Ljubljana is cooler than San Jose in the summer. The daily temperature in Ljubljana averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Ljubljana, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ljubljana usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Ljubljana gets 260 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. Ljubljana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Ljubljana usually receives less rain than San Jose. Ljubljana gets 122 mm (4.8 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 JulyLjubljana 22°C (72°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Ljubljana or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Ljubljana as well as San Jose. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Ljubljana this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In the autumn, Ljubljana is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ljubljana in October average around 13°C (56°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Ljubljana often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Ljubljana gets 116 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Ljubljana receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ljubljana usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Ljubljana gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLjubljana 13°C (56°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Ljubljana or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Ljubljana are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ljubljana for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Ljubljana. In January, Ljubljana is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Ljubljana average around 1°C (34°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in San Jose. Ljubljana usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Ljubljana gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Ljubljana usually receives more rain than San Jose. Ljubljana gets 82 mm (3.2 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 JanuaryLjubljana 1°C (34°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Ljubljana or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Ljubljana during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ljubljana in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Ljubljana is much colder than San Jose in the spring. The daily temperature in Ljubljana averages around 12°C (54°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, Ljubljana often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Ljubljana gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ljubljana. Ljubljana usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Ljubljana gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLjubljana 12°C (54°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Ljubljana
| Ljubljana | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 1°C (34°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 80 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 98 mm (3.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (71°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 101 mm (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.