Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Malaga 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 Malaga 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: Malaga or San Jose?
Malaga
Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors as well.
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 Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, 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 dayMalaga €140San Jose €85
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €140, 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 Malaga and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga €75San Jose €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga €150San Jose €92
Compare Hotels in Malaga and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Malaga 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: Malaga Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga €31San Jose €18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Vip Transfer from Malaga Airport to Nerja: $131
- Vip Transfer from Malaga Airport to Malaga Fuengirola or Marbella: $55
- Vip Private Transfer from Malaga Airport to Gibraltar Border: $164
- Transfer from Malaga Airport to Costa del Sol Hotels (Any Hotel): $42
- Private transfer from Malaga airport to hotels on the Costa del Sol: $109
- Private Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport (AGP): $33
- Private Transfer from/to Seville to/from Malaga & Stop Alhambra: $230
- Private Transfer from/to Motril to/from Malaga with private driver: $159
- Private Transfer from airport to Malaga : $69
- Private Transfer from Torrequebrada to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $57
- Private Transfer from Torrenueva (Mijas) to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $87
- Private Transfer from Sitio de Calahonda to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $87
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:
- San Jose to Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) – Departure Private Transfer: $32
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from SanJose Juan Santamaría Airport to SanJose City: $39
- Private One-way Juan Santamaria Airport Transfer to from San Jose: $41
- Transfer Costa Rica SJO Airport To OR From Hotels nearby Private : $45
- Private Airport and Hotel Transfer: Alajuela and San Jose: $45
- Private Transfer from San Jose City to Puntarenas Cruise Port: $50
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport (SJO) to Puntarenas Port: $50
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport One Way: $56
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $64
- Private transfer from SJO Intl Airport to downtown Hotels: $65
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Malaga 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 dayMalaga €35San Jose €17
Typical Food Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
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Dinner for 2€30
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Dinner for 2€44
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Breakfast for 2€8.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
- Horse and Flamenco Show in Malaga with Dinner: $76
- Malaga Tapas Cooking Class: $89
- Andalucia by Sunset - half day tour including dinner and Ronda pickup: $93
- Sardines On Skewers Show Cooking in Malaga beach: $147
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.Malaga €31San Jose €20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
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Entrance to Castillos€7.10
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Concert€31
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
- Half-Day Luxury Motor Yacht Cruise in Granada: $153
- Private Tour of Ronda and Setenil de Las Bodegas: $240
- Ronda group walking Tour: $27
- Sealife Benalmadena Entrance Ticket: $21
- Winery and Olive Mill Guided and Tasting Tour with Tapas: $120
- 1 Hour Malaga Panoramic Segway Tour : $38
- 1 Hour Quad/ATV Tour Off-Road Adventure in Mijas: $98
- 1.5-Hour Roman Theater and Alcazaba Castle Walking Tour: $16
- 2 Hour Buggy Tour Off-Road Adventure in Mijas: $142
- 2 Hour Family Buggy Tour, Off-Road Adventure in Mijas: $164
- 2 Hours Buggy Safari Experience in the Mountains of Mijas with Guide: $126
- 2-Hour French Guided Walking Tour in Malaga: $20
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 dayMalaga €22San Jose €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Malaga
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Malaga Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks and Clubs Entry: $17
- Sun and Wine Route - Small group, wine tasting and lunch included: $76
- Malaga City Wine Tour: $94
- Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour: Best of Málaga in one Evening: $104
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 Malaga and San Jose, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malaga is in Europe 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 San Jose would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Jose 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 Malaga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malaga than you might in San Jose.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malaga Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malaga or San Jose?
Malaga has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Malaga 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 Malaga or San Jose?
Malaga 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 Malaga or San Jose in the Summer?
Both San Jose and Malaga during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Malaga in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
In July, Malaga is generally cooler than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 25°C (77°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the summer, Malaga often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Malaga usually gets less rain in July than San Jose. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 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 JulyMalaga 25°C (77°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Malaga or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and San Jose. Most visitors come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Malaga is cooler than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Jose receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Malaga usually receives less rain than San Jose. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 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 OctoberMalaga 19°C (67°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Malaga or San Jose in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Malaga as well as San Jose. The winter months attract visitors to Malaga because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In the winter, Malaga is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Malaga in January average around 12°C (54°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In the winter, Malaga often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 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 JanuaryMalaga 12°C (54°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Malaga or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Malaga is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 16°C (60°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It's quite sunny in San Jose. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Malaga usually receives more rain than San Jose. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 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 AprilMalaga 16°C (60°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Malaga
| Malaga | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 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.