Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Montevideo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Montevideo or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montevideo and San Jose can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Montevideo or San Jose?
Montevideo
As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
-
Montevideo Prices
Uruguay PricesSan Jose Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $70San Jose $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $70, 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 Montevideo and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontevideo $38San Jose $49
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $76San Jose $98
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Montevideo 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: Montevideo Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $7.06San Jose $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to Punta del Este from Montevideo / Punta to Montevideo: $112
- Transfer from the Hotel in Montevideo to Montevideo airport: $60
- Transfer from Montevideo to Punta del Este: $328
- Transfer from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento: $438
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
- TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $90
- Roundtrip Transfer Montevideo Airport (MVD) - Punta del Este: $210
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Montevideo Airport (MVD): $42
- Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $120
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $275
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $42
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Jose
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Jose are as follows:
-
Taxi from SJO$25
-
Local Bus$2.72
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 Montezuma: $300
- San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Limon: Private Transfer : $299
- San Jose to Guanacaste: Private Transfer : $299
- Private Transfer From San Jose to Cahuita With 2 Stops: $298
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Liberia: $297
- Transfer one way from San Jose or Airport to Hotel RIU Guanacaste : $295
- Private Transfer San Jose SJO Airport to Puerto Viejo by Minivan: $283
- Private Transfer: San José Apto to Puerto Viejo / Cahuita (Limón): $280
- Private One Way Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $280
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Private Transfer: San José Airport to Puerto Viejo / Cahuita : $275
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Cahuita: $272
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Montevideo 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
-
Food Meals for one dayMontevideo $22San Jose $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Show + Dinner - El Milongon (No Transport): $93
- The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $98
- Montevideo Private Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $107
- El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango and Folklore: $108
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montevideo $20San Jose $21
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
- Colonia del Sacramento - Regular Tour: $60
- Punta del Este, City Tour from Montevideo: $140
- Afternoon Tea Experience at Sofitel Montevideo Carrasco & Spa: $29
- Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
- Best City Shared Tour for Cruisers: $65
- Best Private Tour of Montevideo for cruise-ship passengers: $450
- Bodega Santa Rosa: Famiglia Passadore Tour Tasting with Lunch: $86
- Bouza Winery Full Experience (Tasting and Lunch): $180
- City Tour of Montevideo: $40
- City Tour, the best option for small groups: $120
- City tour Montevideo: $27
- Colonia & Montevideo from Buenos Aires - Private 2 Day Tour: $1,560
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontevideo -San Jose $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:
- Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $116
- The best wine tour: $140
- Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
- Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $225
- Montevideo Wine Tour with Tasting and Lunch: $226
- Wine Tasting Tour for Cruise Passengers: $450
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and San Jose, we can see that San Jose is more expensive. And not only is Montevideo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montevideo is in South America 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 Montevideo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montevideo 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 Montevideo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montevideo Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montevideo or San Jose?
Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo 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 Montevideo or San Jose?
Montevideo 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 Montevideo or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montevideo and San Jose. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Montevideo is cooler than San Jose. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montevideo in January average around 24°C (75°F), and San Jose averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.
In Montevideo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montevideo usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Montevideo gets 296 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. In January, Montevideo usually receives less rain than San Josein July. Montevideo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyMontevideo 24°C (75°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montevideo as well as San Jose. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In April, Montevideo is generally much colder than San Josein October. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 17°C (63°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Montevideo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Josein October. Montevideo gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Montevideo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montevideo usually gets less rain in April than San Josein October. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 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.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberMontevideo 17°C (63°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Montevideo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Montevideo is much colder than San Jose in the winter. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in San Jose. Montevideo usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Montevideo gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Montevideo usually receives more rain than San Josein January. Montevideo gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMontevideo 11°C (52°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Montevideo during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
In the spring, Montevideo is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montevideo in October average around 17°C (63°F), and San Jose averages at about 29°C (85°F)in April.
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montevideo. In the spring, Montevideo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Josein April. Montevideo gets 248 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 Montevideo. Montevideo usually gets more rain in October than San Josein April. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in San Jose. Also, the hurricane season in San Jose is May to November.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilMontevideo 17°C (63°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Montevideo
| Montevideo | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.