Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Naples?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Naples or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Naples 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: Naples or San Jose?
Naples
Naples is the most populous city in southern Italy. The city sits against the Bay of Naples, and is in close proximity to Mount Vesuvius, which is most famous for its eruption in 79 AD which destroyed the communities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Naples has a wonderfully sunny, Mediterranean climate, some great beaches, and beautiful architecture. The historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and because city officials have established strict building codes there is almost no condo style development along the coast. This helps Naples to maintain its authentic and historic atmosphere.
Many people love Naples for its history and authenticity, while others complain that it is noisy, crowded, and dirty. You can visibly see that the poverty in Southern Italy is higher than in the northern part of the country. Traffic is also chaotic, but what some travelers consider flaws, others see as benefits. Nobody can deny that Naples is truly an authentic Italian city. It has some of the country's best food and wine, the weather is ideal, and the prices are far cheaper than the northern regions. It has a large number of attractions in the form of museums and galleries, and there are some of the world's best ruins in nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, 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 dayNaples €129San Jose €85
The average daily cost (per person) in Naples is €129, 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 Naples and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNaples €66San Jose €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNaples €132San Jose €92
Compare Hotels in Naples and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Naples 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: Naples Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Naples €21San Jose €18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Naples
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Naples:
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Subway Ticket€1.20
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Alibus From Airport€3.00
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Short Taxi Ride€7.34
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Train to Pompeii€3.20
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Taxi€15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Naples
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Naples:
- transfer from napoli to positano or back: $108
- transfer from Naples Airport to the Port of Naples: $55
- transfer: $207
- private transfer from Naples to Peastum or Peastum to Naples: $109
- private transfer Naples to Sorrento: $121
- from Naples; Private and deluxe transfer to Sorrento up to 7 people: $98
- Vesuvius easy Transfer: $25
- Vesuvio Tour_Transfer+Entrance ticket: $40
- Van Transfer from Naples Apt to Sorrento/Amalfi/Positano: $323
- Transfers from the Beverello pier (Naples) to Fiumicino Aereoprto: $277
- Transfers from Sorrento to Naples plus 2 hours Pompeii excavations or vice versa: $158
- Transfers from Naples to Caserta by car and minivan: $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:
- Private Transfer San José Airport - La Fortuna: $180
- Airport transfer from SJO Airport to Los Sueños Marriott: $170
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport SJO to Arenal by Minivan: $177
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport to Manuel Antonio by Minivan: $158
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Monteverde, English Speaking Driver: $181
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $136
- Juan Santamaria Intl Airport(SJO) to Puntarenas city-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $167
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Puntarenas city- Arrival Private Transfer: $83
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $64
- One way Transfer from SJO airport or San José to Playa Dominical max 5 passenger: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Naples or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Naples 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 dayNaples €40San Jose €17
Typical Food Prices in Naples
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Naples:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)€28
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Three Course Dinner (for Two)€49
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Napoli Pizza€7.24
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Dinner€25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Naples
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Naples.
- Napoli: Traditional Tiramisu Cooking Class with Limoncello: $37
- Naples Street Food Tour with a Native & Top Rated Expert: $41
- Naples Street Food Tour With Local Expert: $46
- Tasty Naples Street Food Tour of MustEat Gourmet Specialties and MustSee Sites: $46
- Eating Naples Street Food Tour with Guided Tasting and Sightseeing: $46
- Enjoy an Authentic Pizza-Making Workshop with Drinks: $46
- Authentic Pizza Class with Drinks Included in the Center of Naples: $47
- Small Group Naples Pizza Making Class with Drink Included: $48
- Be my Guest at Dinner ! Taste and experience an authentic Neapolitan dinner !: $49
- No Diet Club - Unique Food Tour in Napoli: $53
- Food Tour with Davide: $54
- The Neapolitan culinary art Street Food Tour: $57
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.Naples €30San Jose €20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Naples
Here are a few typical costs in Naples for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Museo Archeologico Nazionale Entrance€9.00
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Castelnuovo Museum Entrance€5.00
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Entrance to Pompeii€11
Tours and Activities in Naples
Here are a few actual costs in Naples for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Herculaneum Private Walking Tour: $164
- Napoli Sight Eating Walk: Food and Sight Tour: $45
- Pompeii and Vesuvius Day Trip from Naples with skip the line: $120
- Positano & Sorrento Private Day Tour: $273
- Private Tour a Pompeii e Sorrento from Napoli: $218
- Sea and Land Small Group Capri Island Tour from Naples Main Port: $163
- Sorrento, Positano & Amalfi Day Tour from Naples : $164
- Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Ravello tour from Naples : $131
- 2 Hours Private Guided Tour to Naples Archeological Museum: $109
- 2-Hour Guided Naples Walking Tour: $280
- 2-Hour Private Guided Tour of Herculaneum: $273
- 2-hour guided tour of the island by boat from Procida: $38
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 dayNaples €21San Jose €16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Naples
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Naples:
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Beer€4.10
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Beer€4.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Naples
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Naples:
- Napoli Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $15
- Guided Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $16
- Vesuvius wine tasting with company tour: $29
- Private WINE Tasting in Napoli with BOOKS: $44
- Mount Vesuvius: Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting and Lunch: $52
- Regional food and wine tasting: $54
- Guided, FUN Wine Tasting in Napoli: $63
- Full-Day Bike Guided Tour in Napoli with Wine Tasting: $64
- Guided, FUN Wine Tasting in Naples City Center: $65
- Vesuvius Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch Included: $76
- Mount Vesuvius 4-Hour Volcano Tour with Wine Tasting: $80
- Vesuvius Half-Day Trip with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $96
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 Naples and San Jose, we can see that Naples is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Naples 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 Naples would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Naples 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 Naples Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Naples or San Jose?
Naples has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Naples 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 Naples or San Jose?
Naples 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 Naples or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Naples as well as San Jose. The summer months attract visitors to Naples because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In the summer, Naples is cooler than San Jose. Typically, the summer temperatures in Naples in July average around 23°C (74°F), and San Jose averages at about 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Naples this time of the year. In the summer, Naples often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Naples gets 313 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Naples usually gets less rain in July than San Jose. Naples gets 26 mm (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 JulyNaples 23°C (74°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Naples or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Naples are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Naples this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Naples is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Naples average around 17°C (63°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Naples usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during autumn. Naples gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. It's quite rainy in Naples. In October, Naples usually receives less rain than San Jose. Naples gets 132 mm (5.2 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 OctoberNaples 17°C (63°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Naples or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Naples during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Naples for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Naples is much colder than San Jose in the winter. The daily temperature in Naples averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Naples often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Naples gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Naples. Naples usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Naples gets 111 mm (4.4 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 JanuaryNaples 8°C (47°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Naples or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Naples and San Jose. Many visitors come to Naples in the spring for the activities around the city. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Naples is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the spring temperatures in Naples in April average around 13°C (55°F), and San Jose averages at about 29°C (85°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. Naples usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during spring. Naples gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Naples usually receives more rain than San Jose. Naples gets 71 mm (2.8 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 AprilNaples 13°C (55°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Naples
| Naples | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (47°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (51°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (49°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.