Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Manila?
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 Manila or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Manila and San Jose can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or San Jose?
Manila
A sprawling metropolis that is home to more than 12 million people, Manila is one huge, misunderstood concrete jungle, full of diverse cultures, traffic, pollution, restaurants, shopping malls, noise and nightlife. If you're looking to soak in culture and feel the vibe of a place rather than seeking a city that specifically caters to tourists, Manila is the place to be. Capital of the Philippines, Manila is also the center for education, business, and transportation.
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 in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Manila Prices
Philippines PricesSan Jose Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $98San Jose $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $98, while the average daily cost in San Jose is $115. 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 Manila and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $50San Jose $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $100San Jose $108
Compare Hotels in Manila and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Manila 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: Manila Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $13San Jose $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport: $50
- Safe and secure Airport Transfer Best in Manila: $216
- Quality Safe and Reliable Manila Airport Transfers: $49
- Private Transfer from Manila Cruise Port to Manila Airport (MNL): $28
- Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $28
- Private Departure Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- Private Departure Airport Transfer in Manila Bay and Makati Area: $23
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- Private Airport Transfer: Metro Manila → NAIA Airport (MNL): $30
- NAIA Airport Transfer to/from anywhere in Metro Manila: $31
- MNL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $13
- Amazing Taal Volcano Island Boat Tour with Transfers: $120
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$28
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Local Bus$3.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer to San Jose Airport (SJO): $26
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport (SJO): $26
- Costa Rica San Jose Airport (SJO) Private Transfer to San Jose: $42
- Private One-way Transfer from Juan Santamaria Airport to San Jose: $43
- Private Transfer from San Jose to La Fortuna de Arenal: $46
- Transfer from San Jose to Arenal-La Fortuna San Carlos: $48
- Private San José Airport Transfer to San José Hotels: $50
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from San Jose Airport (SJO): $53
- Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Private Transfer: $57
- San Jose to Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) – Departure Private Transfer: $57
- Scenic Coach Transfers San José to Arenal AM & back at 19:00 hrs: $58
- Private Airport Transfer Liberia Costa Rica – Stress Free!: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Manila 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 dayManila $29San Jose $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $51
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $51
- Ugbo Manila Street Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $60
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $62
- Guided Food Tour of Binondo with Tastings: $65
- Street Food tour & Local Jeepney, Tuktuk Ride: $66
- Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $71
- Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $105
- A taste of Manila's History & Filipino Culture with Buffet Dinner: $175
- Subic: Sunset Dinner Yacht Cruise from Manila & Clark: $212
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: $35
- San Jose By Night: Farm to Table Dinner & Cocktail Class: $49
- San José Market-to-Table Tour: Cooking Class with a Local Chef: $68
- 3.5h Cooking Class in San José with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $75
- Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup: $80
- San Jose By Night: Sights & Culture Tour with Local Dinner: $80
- Dinner + Typical dance show at the best viewpoint in San José: $92
- City Tour and Dinner at the Best Lookout in San Jose: $149
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $18San Jose $23
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- (Excursion) Day tour in Manila: $258
- A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
- Amazing Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Tour 2in1: $125
- Antipolo Day Tour with Cloud 9 and Pinto Art Museum: $80
- BAGUIO CITY DAY TOUR (FROM MANILA): $357
- BANAUE:BATAD Rice Terraces with Sagada 4D3N PRIVATE TOUR: $7,130
- Banaue-Hapao Rice Terraces (Car Rental W/ Manila Tourist Driver): $300
- Cavite Leisure And Farm Tour: $170
- Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC: $71
- Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $85
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $39
- Experience Manila's Heritage: Intramuros & More in Half a Day!: $75
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self Guided Audio Walking Tour of San Jose Highlights: $5.50
- Hiking Experience in El Quetzal Private Reserve: $26
- Private Guided Tour of Cheese in Canaan de Rivas: $30
- Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour: $31
- Britt Classic Coffee Tour: $31
- Poas Volcano National Park - Admission Ticket: $32
- Rainforest Day Experience Day Tour in Costa Rica: $35
- San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees: $35
- Historical Tour and Old Houses by Dota: $35
- San Jose Birdwatching Nature and Cultural Experience: $35
- Hacienda Doka Coffee Experience Tour: $35
- San Jose ART Walking Tour - small groups, creative experience: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.18San Jose $18
Sample the Local Flavors in San Jose
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
- Bar Crawl in Downtown San Jose: $40
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $95
- Bar Crawl in San Jose in a Deluxe Party Bus: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and San Jose, we can see that San Jose is more expensive. And not only is Manila much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manila 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 Manila would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manila 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 Manila.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manila Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or San Jose?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Manila 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 Manila or San Jose?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Manila or San Jose in the Summer?
Both San Jose and Manila during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila 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 Manila. Manila usually gets more rain in July than San Jose. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Manila is around the same temperature as San Jose. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manila in July average around 27°C (80°F), and San Jose averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Manila or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and San Jose. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in San Jose is the dry season. May to November is the hurricane season in San Jose. San Jose receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Manila usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Jose. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Manila is generally around the same temperature as San Jose. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 26°C (79°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Manila or San Jose in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Manila as well as San Jose. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
Manila usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Manila is cooler than San Jose in the winter. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Manila or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in San Jose is December to April. May to November in San Jose is the hurricane season. In April, Manila usually receives less rain than San Jose. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Manila is around the same temperature as San Jose. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manila in April average around 29°C (84°F), and San Jose averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Manila
| Manila | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 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.