A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marseille vs. San Jose for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Marseille or San Jose?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille 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.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. Marseille is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping. See Marseille travel costs.

San Jose

San Jose is a bustling, authentic, and traditional city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See San Jose travel costs.

Marseille and San Jose: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or San Jose?

You'll generally find more things to do in Marseille than San Jose. Marseille is bigger than San Jose, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Marseille is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while San Jose is more popular for its museums and attractions and big city activities. Marseille is more touristy than San Jose and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Also, Marseille is famous for The Vieux Port. San Jose is well known for its colorful markets and vibrant nightlife, as well as its easy access to the rest of the country.

How is Marseille different from San Jose?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Jose and Marseille. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Marseille or San Jose?

San Jose is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around San Jose. Despite most people rushing through town, there are a number of museums, plazas, and interesting buildings that are worth checking out.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Marseille or San Jose? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Marseille is very popular for its restaurants. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Marseille is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in San Jose. Most people miss out on local cuisine during their time in Costa Rica, but the capital city offers the best opportunities to eat like a local. You can sample favorite local dishes such as chifrijo, gallo pinto, rondón, and casado. You should also wander through the Central Market and dine at one of the many local restaurants.

Is Marseille or San Jose Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is very popular for nightlife. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Marseille is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Much of the city's nightlife is centered around being outdoors. Whether you're on the beach or hanging out at a rooftop bar, Marseille is a magical place.

San Jose is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. This city has the best nightlife in all of Costa Rica. You'll find a diversity of clubs and bars that are fun to explore. Check out the reggae bars, dance clubs, and sports bars (where you can enjoy a soccer game) while you're in town.

Is Marseille or San Jose Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, San Jose is not a beach destination.

Marseille has a beach worth visiting. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

San Jose is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or San Jose Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is very popular for its historic old town. However, San Jose does not have a historic old town.

Marseille has a world-famous historical area. The Old Port is filled with shops and boutiques, and is the most scenic part of the city. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is filled with history and character.

San Jose does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or San Jose?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Marseille and San Jose.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

San Jose is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are a number of unique things you can buy in the city including jewelry, handbags, and wood workings. Make sure you check out the Central Market.

Is Marseille or San Jose More Beautiful?

Marseille is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, San Jose is not a destination known for its beauty.

Marseille is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's beauty comes from its historic architecture and beautiful neighborhoods.

San Jose is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Marseille or San Jose Better for Families?

Neither Marseille nor San Jose are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

Marseille is not always a place people visit with their families. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

San Jose doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Most people pass through the city quickly, but if you have a day or two to explore, you can visit the Children's Museum (Museo de los Niños), Spirogyra Butterfly Gardens, or explore the Central Market.

Is Marseille or San Jose Better for Couples?

Marseille is a very popular place for romance. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Marseille makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Most people don't think of San Jose as a couple's destination. While Costa Rica is a popular honeymoon destination, the capital city is often overlooked for the beaches and rainforests around the country.

Is Marseille or San Jose Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Jose is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit San Jose. Backpackers appreciate the affordability of the city and the wide range of hostels that you can choose from. The city also offers an authentic glimpse of life in Costa Rica.

Marseille is a good city to visit for backpackers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Marseille or San Jose Better for Students?

Marseille is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Marseille is a great city to visit as a student. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

San Jose is popular with students. Many students come to Costa Rica to study the country's amazing environment and unique ecological systems. San Jose makes a good base as its easy to travel to other parts of this small country.

Is Marseille or San Jose Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Marseille and San Jose.

Marseille has some public transit options. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

You'll find some public transit in San Jose, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses that travel through the city during the daytime hours.

Is Marseille or San Jose a more walkable city?

Marseille is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Marseille is very walkable. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas to explore on foot.

San Jose is a somewhat walkable place. It can feel a bit chaotic, but it's relatively easy to get around on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Marseille Worth Visiting? and Is San Jose Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Jose or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or San Jose?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Marseille or San Jose to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Marseille than San Jose because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 1-2 days is enough time in San Jose.

Families should spend more time in Marseille than San Jose. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Marseille, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than San Jose. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Marseille that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Marseille than San Jose if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Marseille.

One day in Marseille or San Jose?

The beautiful city of Marseille offers nightlife and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of San Jose. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Jose has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Marseille or San Jose?

Marseille is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Marseille, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the colorful destination of San Jose. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Marseille or San Jose?

Marseille is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the traditional city of San Jose. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Marseille or San Jose?

Marseille is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

San Jose is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marseille and San Jose, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Marseille 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 Marseille would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marseille 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 Marseille Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marseille or San Jose?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Marseille 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 Marseille or San Jose?

Marseille 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 Marseille or San Jose in the Summer?

Both San Jose and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the summer, Marseille is cooler than San Jose. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marseille in July average around 24°C (75°F), and San Jose averages at about 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Marseille gets 366 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, Marseille usually receives less rain than San Jose. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marseille or San Jose in the Autumn?

Both San Jose and Marseille during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.

In October, Marseille is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 16°C (61°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the autumn, Marseille often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Marseille gets 205 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. Marseille usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 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. Also, May to November in San Jose is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Marseille or San Jose in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and San Jose. Many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Marseille is much colder than San Jose in the winter. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. Marseille usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marseille usually receives more rain than San Jose. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marseille or San Jose in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Marseille as well as San Jose. Many visitors come to Marseille in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.

In the spring, Marseille is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marseille in April average around 13°C (56°F), and San Jose averages at about 29°C (85°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In the spring, Marseille often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 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, the hurricane season in San Jose is May to November.

Typical Weather for San Jose and Marseille