Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Penang?
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 Penang or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Penang and San Jose. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Penang or San Jose?
Penang
Just off the northwestern coast of Malaysia is the charming and diverse island state of Penang. As the link between the ancient kingdoms of Asia and Europe's colonial empire, this area is enriched with Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences. This exciting culture is centered in George Town, the main city of the state.
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 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesSan Jose Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $144San Jose $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $144, 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 Penang and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $55San Jose $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $110San Jose $98
Compare Hotels in Penang and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Penang 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: Penang Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $14San Jose $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Penang
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Penang:
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Local Bus$1.43
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Island Ferry$0.57
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Bus From Airport to George Town$0.64
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Taxi From Airport to George Town$11
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Motorbike Rental (One Day)$7.13
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$2.38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:
- Swettenham Pier to Penang Airport(PEN)-Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $57
- Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $115
- Private Transfer: Penang Island to or from Perak: $131
- Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $22
- Private Transfer from Penang Island to Swettenham Cruise Terminal: $22
- Private Transfer - Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Airport (PEN): $22
- Private Transfer - Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Cruise Port: $22
- Private Penang Arrival transfer to Hotel: $12
- Private Half Day Tour to Penang Island with Transfer Included: $70
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Departure: $29
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Arrival: $48
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$25
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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: San José Airport to Puerto Viejo / Cahuita : $275
- Private Transfer: San José Hotels to SJO Airport: $95
- Airport transfer from SJO Airport to Los Sueños Marriott: $185
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport SJO to Arenal by Minivan: $205
- Braulio Carrillo 6 in 1 Full Day Pass with Optional Transfer: $112
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Cahuita, English Speaking Driver: $262
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Limon, English Speaking Driver: $209
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Monteverde, English Speaking Driver: $196
- Direct transfer from San Jose to La Fortuna, English Speaking Driver: $167
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Arrival Private Transfer: $143
- Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO) to San Jose - Private Transfer: $76
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Puntarenas city- Arrival Private Transfer: $105
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Penang 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 dayPenang $64San Jose $31
Typical Food Prices in Penang
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Penang:
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Snack$1.90
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Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$81
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Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$69
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Lassy Juice$1.66
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Dinner for 2$3.57
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Street Stall Food$0.67
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.52
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Italian Lunch (for Two)$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Penang
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Penang.
- Good Morning Penang Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Penang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Penang Food Tour - Georgetown: $62
- Eat Like A Local: Penang Street Food Tour: $62
- 3-Hour Heritage on a Plate Dinner Hop in George Town Penang: $65
- 4-Hour Georgetown Food Tour: $88
- Authentic Local Food Tour with Scenic Walk: $89
- Malay Culinary Journey Cooking Class for the Adventurous Foodie: $92
- Authentic Indian Penang Cooking Class: $92
- Penang Cooking Class:Dive into Malaysian Cuisine with PenangChiak: $94
- Private Half Day Penang Tasty Local Street Food Tour: $99
- Private Dinner at THE TOP with Skywalk Experience from Penang: $103
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $55San Jose $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Penang
Here are a few typical costs in Penang for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Butterfly Gardens$7.37
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$7.13
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Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.48
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Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Entrance$2.38
Tours and Activities in Penang
Here are a few actual costs in Penang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- George Town Highlights & Upside Down Museum tours (5 Hours): $67
- 6 Hours Highlights of Penang Shared Tour : $75
- 6-Hours Penang Private Tour: $169
- 8 Hours of Penang Tour: $60
- All-Inclusive Penang George Town Private Tour: $154
- Asia Camera Museum Admission Ticket: $6.10
- Back of the Bike Street Food Experience – Real Penang!: $88
- Best of Historical George Town Half Day Tour: $80
- Bukit Merah Orang Utan and Penang City Private Tour: $140
- Colors of George Town Walking Tour: $138
- Countryside Cycling Tour. T1.0 by Matahari: $97
- ESCAPE Penang Theme Park Admission Ticket : $73
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: $4.62
- Hiking Experience in El Quetzal Private Reserve: $26
- Private Guided Tour of Cheese in Canaan de Rivas: $30
- Sarapiqui Frog Experience: Night Experience in the Jungle.: $30
- Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour: $31
- Poas Volcano National Park - Admission Ticket: $32
- 2-Hour Orosi Nocturnal Tour: $33
- San Jose ART Walking Tour - small groups, creative experience: $35
- Historical Tour and Old Houses by Dota: $35
- San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees: $35
- Skip the Line: Rescate Wildlife Rescue Centre General Admission Ticket: $35
- Sarapiqui Rainforest Night Walk : Wildlife & Adventure.: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $18San Jose $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Penang
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Penang:
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Beer$1.90
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 Penang and San Jose, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Penang 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 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 Penang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Penang 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 Penang Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Penang 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 Penang 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 Penang or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Penang as well as San Jose. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Penang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Penang usually gets more rain in July than San Jose. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Penang this time of the year. In the summer, Penang often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Penang gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Penang is around the same temperature as San Jose. Typically, the summer temperatures in Penang in July average around 27°C (81°F), and San Jose averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPenang 27°C (81°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Penang or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Penang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang 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 is the hurricane season in San Jose. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. It's quite rainy in Penang. In October, Penang usually receives more rain than San Jose. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Penang is generally around the same temperature as San Jose. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 27°C (81°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPenang 27°C (81°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Penang or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Penang during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Penang usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Penang is around the same temperature as San Jose in the winter. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPenang 28°C (82°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Penang or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and San Jose. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang 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 in San Jose is the hurricane season. Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Penang usually receives more rain than San Jose. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. In Penang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Penang usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during spring. Penang gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Penang is around the same temperature as San Jose. Typically, the spring temperatures in Penang in April average around 28°C (82°F), and San Jose averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPenang 28°C (82°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Penang
| Penang | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 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.