Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Malmo?
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 Malmo or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Malmo 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: Malmo or San Jose?
Malmo
Located on the southern tip of Sweden, in the province of Skane, Malmo is Sweden's third largest city. It has a very international population with about a third of the residents being from countries other than Sweden. This diversity is evident within Malmo, which is rich in culture, interesting food, and an array of entertainment options. Historically, Malmo was an industrial city with a ship building company, Kockums being the area's largest employer. Today, however, the city is much more economicaly diverse with many eco friendly neighborhoods and plenty of suburban style housing.
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 2-Week Tours from Stockholm, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Sweden, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Malmo Prices
Sweden PricesSan Jose Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalmo $115San Jose $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Malmo 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 Malmo and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalmo $55San Jose $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalmo $110San Jose $98
Compare Hotels in Malmo and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Malmo 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: Malmo Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malmo $9.11San Jose $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Malmo:
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Malmö Bus Card$21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malmo
Also for Malmo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $168
- Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $106
- Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $58
- Malmo City to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $69
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $137
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City - Arrival Private Transfer: $69
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:
- Transfers to Occidental Papagayo - Secrets Resort, Round-Trip: $111
- Transfer one way from San Jose or Airport to Hotel RIU Guanacaste : $295
- Transfer from San Jose Int'l Airport to San Jose City (Roundtrip): $120
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Transfer from SJO Airport to Jaco or vice versa: $125
- Transfer from SJO Airport or surrounding to Manuel Antonio: $229
- Transfer TO or FROM SJO Airport to Esterillos - Bejuco Not Shared: $180
- Transfer SJO Airport to La Fortuna or hotels: $225
- Transfer 1 to 3 Pax Juan Santamaria Airport to SJO Hotels : $60
- Shared transfer to Manuel Antonio: $70
- San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Limon: Private Transfer : $299
- San Jose to Manuel Antonio: Private Transfer : $219
Is it cheaper to fly into Malmo or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Malmo 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 dayMalmo $51San Jose $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malmo
For Malmo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Self-guided Food Tour in Malmö: $72
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.Malmo $18San Jose $21
Tours and Activities in Malmo
For Malmo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö: $25
- Copenhagen and Hamlet Tour: $144
- Guided Walking Tour in Malmö: $39
- Half Day Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour in Cosmopolitan Malmö: $16
- Half Day Walking Tour in Lund City and University: $38
- Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Malmö Photography Tour: $67
- Malmö Private Walking Tour with a Local: $56
- Malmo Syndicate City Escape Game Self Guided Experience: $31
- Malmo Walking Tour, 3 hours (small group): $73
- Old Town Helsingborg: Exploration Game and Self-Guided Tour: $7.20
- Self-guided audio tour in Lund: explore the story of the Locus Peccatorum murder: $8.63
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 dayMalmo $41San 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 Malmo and San Jose, we can see that Malmo 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 Malmo 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 Malmo Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malmo or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Malmo. When comparing the sizes of Malmo 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 Malmo or San Jose?
Malmo 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 Malmo or San Jose in the Summer?
Both San Jose and Malmo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Malmo is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Malmo average around 17°C (62°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malmo. Malmo usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Malmo gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In July, Malmo usually receives less rain than San Jose. Malmo gets 52 mm (2 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 JulyMalmo 17°C (62°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Malmo or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Malmo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Malmo is much colder than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Malmo averages around 10°C (50°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Malmo often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Malmo gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Malmo usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Malmo gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 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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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalmo 10°C (50°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Malmo or San Jose in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Malmo and San Jose. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Malmo. In the winter, Malmo is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Malmo in January average around 0°C (32°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. Malmo usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Malmo gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Malmo usually receives more rain than San Jose. Malmo gets 37 mm (1.4 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 JanuaryMalmo 0°C (32°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Malmo or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Malmo as well as San Jose. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In April, Malmo is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Malmo average around 5°C (42°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In the spring, Malmo often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Malmo gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Malmo usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Malmo gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in San Jose is the dry season. Also, May to November in San Jose is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMalmo 5°C (42°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Malmo
| Malmo | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (32°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 2°C (35°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (50°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 41 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.