Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Palma de Mallorca?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Palma de Mallorca 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: Palma de Mallorca or San Jose?
Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca is a resort city and capital of the Spanish island, Mallorca, in the western Mediterranean. It is home to landmarks like Gothic cathedrals and medieval fortresses, but is also host to sandy beaches where the city meets the sea in a backdrop of surrounding mountains. Amidst the city itself you will find it easy to get lost in the charm of cobbled lanes, busy markets, boutiques, and historic courtyards.
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 Spain, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, 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 dayPalma de Mallorca €139San Jose €85
The average daily cost (per person) in Palma de Mallorca is €139, 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 Palma de Mallorca and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPalma de Mallorca €69San Jose €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPalma de Mallorca €138San Jose €92
Compare Hotels in Palma de Mallorca and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Palma de Mallorca 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: Palma de Mallorca Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Palma de Mallorca €25San Jose €18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Palma de Mallorca
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Palma de Mallorca are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€6.80
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Bus Ride€1.25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palma de Mallorca
Also for Palma de Mallorca, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Palma de Mallorca Port to Mallorca Airport (PMI): $35
- Round Trip Transfer from/to Palma Aquarium: $30
- Private transfer from Alcúdia to Mallorca Airport: $175
- Private Transfers from Palma to Palme de Mallorca Airport PMI in Luxury Van: $130
- Private Transfers from Palma de Mallorca Airport PMI to Palma in Luxury Van: $130
- Private Transfers from Palma de Mallorca Airport PMI to Palma in Business Car: $79
- Private Transfer from Soller to Mallorca airport (PMI): $104
- Private Transfer from Palma de Mallorca city to Mallorca airport (PMI): $59
- Private Transfer from Palma de Mallorca Port to Palma de Mallorca: $35
- Private Transfer from Mallorca airport (PMI) to Soller : $104
- Private Transfer from Mallorca airport (PMI) to Pollensa: $145
- Private Transfer from Mallorca airport (PMI) to Peguera : $96
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:
- Transfers to Occidental Papagayo - Secrets Resort, Round-Trip: $130
- Transfer to Los Sueños Marriot Playa Herradura from San Jose or Airport: $215
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from SanJose Juan Santamaría Airport to SanJose City: $39
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Transfer from Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) to Quepos Cruise Port: $72
- Transfer TO & FROM SJO Airport to Esterillos - Bejuco Not Shared.: $180
- Transfer SJO Airport TO & FROM Dominical OR Uvita (One Way): $290
- Transfer Costa Rica SJO Airport To OR From Hotels nearby Private : $45
- Transfer Airport area to Manuel Antonio Hotels Private One Way: $185
- Transfer Airport Area to Jaco Hotels Private One Way Transport: $150
- Shuttle & transfer rides to Jaco beach: $137
- Shared transfer to Manuel Antonio: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Palma de Mallorca or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Palma de Mallorca 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 dayPalma de Mallorca €45San Jose €17
Typical Food Prices in Palma de Mallorca
For Palma de Mallorca, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Soda€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palma de Mallorca
For Palma de Mallorca, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Spanish Cooking Class Experience in Palma with 5+ Tastings: $21
- Spanish Cooking Class Experience in Palma with 5+ Tastings: $43
- Traditional recipes cooking experience: $99
- Palma: sailing boat, small group, pizza, drinks.: $104
- Mallorca Evening Tour: Horseback Riding, Dinner and Dance: $107
- Spanish Cooking Experience in Mallorca: $110
- The Award-Winning PRIVATE Food Tour of Mallorca: The 10 Tastings: $130
- Mediterranean cooking experience in nature: $131
- 4-Hour Market Visit and Traditional Cooking Workshop in Palma: $147
- Romantic SPA day with couples massage and romantic dinner at Eurotel Punta Rotja: $207
- Sailboat Dinner and Movie Night: $650
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.Palma de Mallorca €34San Jose €20
Tours and Activities in Palma de Mallorca
For Palma de Mallorca, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hour Deluxe Segway Tour from Palma: $83
- 1.5 H Electric Kick-Scooter Tour: $49
- 1H Self-Guided Electric Scooter Tour around Palma de Mallorca: $22
- 2 Hours sightseeing E-Bike Tour in Palma de Mallorca: $44
- 2-Hour Exclusive Fat Tire E-Bike Tour in Palma : $69
- 2-Hour Guided Buggie Tour of Mallorca: $88
- 2hrs Snorkeling Experience in Sa Foradada: $47
- 3 Hour Slingshot Sunset Tour from Paguera: $129
- 3 Hour Sunset Boat Tour with Live Music and Drinks: $120
- 3 Hours Historical E-Bike Tour in Palma de Mallorca: $53
- 3 Hours Quad Adventure in Mallorca: $104
- 3 Hours Trike Sunset Tour from Paguera: $129
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore San Jose on Foot: Food Delights and Sights Tour: $47
- Street Food Walking Tour in Downtown San Jose: $60
- 3 in 1 Eco Tour Rain Forest Aerial Tram, River Cruise & Nature Walk Private Tour: $299
- 6 in 1 RainForest Adventure From San Jose: $189
- A taste of Aquiares - 2 hours Coffee Tour: $42
- AERIAL TRAM TOUR - HALF DAY PASS Rainforest Adventures Braulio Ca: $78
- AWA Water Museum - Waterfall Adventure (Organic Food Experience): $98
- Arenal Volcano Eco Tour & Baldi Hot Springs Private Tour from San Jose: $285
- Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose: $159
- Arenal Volcano Hanging Bridges & Baldi Hot Springs. Private Tour from San Jose: $285
- Arenal Volcano Hike and Hot Springs Tour from San Jose: $142
- Arenal Volcano Horseback Riding & Baldi Hot Springs. Private Tour: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPalma de Mallorca €29San Jose €16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Palma de Mallorca
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Palma de Mallorca are as follows:
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Coffee€3.10
Sample the Local Flavors in Palma de Mallorca
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Palma de Mallorca:
- Wine tasting with wines from the smallest wineries in Mallorca: $43
- Gourmet Tapas and Wine Tour in Alcudia Old Town: $43
- Guided tour of the Winery with wine tasting, Vineyard and much more!: $49
- Gourmet Tapas and Wine Tour: $53
- Gourmet Tapas and Wine Tour in Palma de Mallorca : $54
- Gastronomic Mallorquin Wine Tasting & local delicacies: $71
- Mallorca Wine Tasting: $74
- Palma Distillery Tour with 6 Spirits and Gourmet Tapas Tasting: $76
- Wine Tasting Experience with Mallorcan Delights in Alcudia: $87
- Sa Clasta Mallorca Wine Tours: $158
- Sa Clasta Wine Tours, Mallorca: $159
- Mallorca Bodega & Olive Tour with Wine Tasting (full day): $163
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 Palma de Mallorca and San Jose, we can see that Palma de Mallorca is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or San Jose?
Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca or San Jose?
Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca or San Jose in the Summer?
Both San Jose and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Palma de Mallorca is cooler than San Jose in the summer. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 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, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than San Jose. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 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 JulyPalma de Mallorca 24°C (76°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Palma de Mallorca during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca is cooler than San Jose. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in October average around 19°C (66°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 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. Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPalma de Mallorca 19°C (66°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or San Jose in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and San Jose. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the shopping scene and the cuisine. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Palma de Mallorca is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 11°C (52°F), 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. Palma de Mallorca usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Palma de Mallorca usually receives more rain than San Jose. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 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 JanuaryPalma de Mallorca 11°C (52°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as San Jose. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
Palma de Mallorca is much colder than San Jose in the spring. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and San Jose fluctuates around 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 Palma de Mallorca this time of the year. In the spring, Palma de Mallorca often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Palma de Mallorca usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPalma de Mallorca 14°C (57°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Palma de Mallorca
| Palma de Mallorca | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (52°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 38 mm (1.5 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.