Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Perth?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Perth or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Perth and San Jose can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Perth or San Jose?
Perth
Capital of Western Australia, Perth is a city that sits where the Swan River meets the sea, and given its ocean side location there is plenty to see and do on the water and beyond. Spend a day on Perth's sandy beaches or get lost in its parks and gardens, sail down the river or enjoy the city's history and culture visiting museums and historic sites, shopping, dining, and much more.
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 Adventure Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPerth $133San Jose $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Perth is $133, while the average daily cost in San Jose is $89. 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 Perth and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPerth $76San Jose $48
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPerth $152San Jose $96
Compare Hotels in Perth and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Perth 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: Perth Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Perth $25San Jose $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Perth
Also for Perth, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Perth City Hotels to Fremantle Cruise Port : $33
- Private Transfer from Fremantle Cruise Port to Perth city hotels: $33
- Private Transfer from Fremantle Cruise Port to Perth Airport(PER): $33
- Rottnest Island Flight Transfer with Return Ferry: $221
- One Way Flight Transfer to or from Rottnest Island: $165
- Perth city to Perth Airport (PER) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Perth Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Perth city: $67
- Hillarys Boat Harbour: Rottnest Island Ferry Transfer: $59
- Departure Private Transfer: Perth City to Perth Airport PER in Business Car: $76
- Ballooning in the Avon Valley plus Transfer from Perth : $258
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$2.71
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 Tortuguero: $300
- Transfer SJO Airport TO & FROM Dominical OR Uvita (One Way): $290
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Tambor beach: $276
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport or Guanacaste Hotels: $276
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Manuel Antonio Quepos: $269
- Private Transfer from San Jose downtown to Liberia Airport: $267
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Samara Beach: $265
- Private Transfer: $260
- Private Transfer Airport or San Jose hotels to Puerto Viejo Limon: $259
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to La Fortuna Arenal: $259
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Liberia: $257
Is it cheaper to fly into Perth or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Perth 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 dayPerth $36San Jose $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Perth
For Perth, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hands on Cooking Class or Cooking Workshop Experience: $69
- Half-Day Low and Slow BBQ Food Tour in Perth: $79
- American BBQ Food Tour: $79
- Perth Swan River Dinner Cruise: $112
- Swan River Dinner Cruise with Beverages: $112
- Pinnacles Sunset Dinner and Stargazing Experience a Small Group Tour: $116
- From Pinnacles Sunset and Stargazing Tour with Dinner: $116
- Pinnacle Desert Sunset and Stargazing with Dinner: $142
- The 10 Tastings of Perth With Locals: Private Food Tour : $159
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Perth $14San Jose $21
Tours and Activities in Perth
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Perth.
- 1 Day Margaret River Sightseeing Tour from Perth: $131
- 2 Hours Whale Watching Tour in Fremantle: $50
- Adventure Rottnest Tour with Ferry & Adventure Cruise: $102
- Best of Fremantle 2-Hour Walking Tour: $30
- Bickley Valley Wine & Cider Tour - Premium Small Group Tour: $132
- Caversham Wildlife and Swan Valley Private Tour: $297
- City Tour Perth & Fremantle & Swan River: $126
- Cliffs and Caves Kayak Tour in Swan River: $59
- Coffee, Culture, and Art Tour of Perth: $33
- Design Your Own Tour Experience: $264
- Discover Rottnest with Ferry & Bus Tour: $91
- Dolphin, Penguin and Sea Lion Cruise: $56
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPerth $7.54San Jose $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Perth
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Perth:
- Little Creatures Brewery Tours : $17
- Half Day Swan Valley Wine Tour: $63
- Afternoon Swan Valley Wine Tasting with Transportation: $63
- Swan Valley: Half-Day Wine Tour From Perth: $63
- Swan Valley Half Day Wine Tour from Perth: $65
- Half-Day Swan Valley Wine Tour with Tastings - From Perth: $69
- Swan Valley: Out for the Afternoon Wine Tasting with Lunch: $76
- Small-Group Gin Distillery Tour in Perth: $89
- Swan Valley: Full-Day Wine Tour with Lunch: $92
- From Swan Valley Winery & Brewery Day Tour With Lunch: $109
- Swan River Kayaking Tour with Dining and Wine Tasting: $109
- Half-Day Swan Valley Winery & Brewery: $129
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 Perth and San Jose, we can see that Perth is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Perth is in Pacific 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 Perth would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Perth 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 Perth Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Perth or San Jose?
Perth has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Perth 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 Perth or San Jose?
Perth 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 Perth or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Perth and San Jose. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Perth this time of year. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Perth is cooler than San Jose in the summer. The daily temperature in Perth averages around 25°C (76°F) in January, and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.
In Perth, it's very sunny this time of the year. Perth usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Perth gets 331 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, Perth usually receives less rain than San Josein July. Perth gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPerth 25°C (76°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Perth or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Perth as well as San Jose. Many travelers come to Perth for the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In the autumn, Perth is cooler than San Jose. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Perth in April average around 19°C (67°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Perth this time of the year. In the autumn, Perth often gets more sunshine than San Josein October. Perth gets 219 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Perth usually gets less rain in April than San Josein October. Perth gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPerth 19°C (67°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Perth or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Perth are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Perth in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Perth is generally much colder than San Josein January. Daily temperatures in Perth average around 13°C (55°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in San Jose. Perth usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Perth gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Perth. In July, Perth usually receives more rain than San Josein January. Perth gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPerth 13°C (55°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Perth or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Perth during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Perth for the beaches during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Perth is much colder than San Jose in the spring. The daily temperature in Perth averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in April.
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Perth. In the spring, Perth often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Josein April. Perth gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Perth usually gets more rain in October than San Josein April. Perth gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPerth 17°C (62°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Perth
| Perth | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (76°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (67°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (58°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 13°C (55°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (67°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 8 mm (0.3 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.