Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Podgorica?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Podgorica or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Podgorica 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: Podgorica or San Jose?
Podgorica
Podgorica is Montenegro's capital city, and also its largest. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, World War II destroyed much of this history, but there are a few Turkish remnants worth visiting. Podgorica's central location often makes the city a good starting point for day trips to coastal cities or mountain resorts.
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 Budget Tours to Montenegro, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro, 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 dayPodgorica €105San Jose €85
The average daily cost (per person) in Podgorica is €105, 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 Podgorica and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPodgorica €46San Jose €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPodgorica €92San Jose €92
Compare Hotels in Podgorica and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Podgorica 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: Podgorica Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Podgorica €20San Jose €18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Podgorica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:
- Transfer from Podgorica to Sarajevo: $252
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Budva (and viceversa): $108
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Budva: $88
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Bar (and viceversa): $91
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport and city to Tivat : $109
- Transfer Podgorica city center- Podgorica Airport: $22
- Tivat to Podgorica one way transfer: $210
- Private transfers from Podgorica Airport and city to Budva: $76
- Private transfer from Podgorica airport to Podgorica city: $26
- Private transfer from Podgorica Airport or city to Tirana Airport: $274
- Private transfer from Airport Podgorica and city to Kotor: $109
- Private Transfer: Podgorica to TGD Airport in Business Car: $41
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:
- San Jose to Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) – Departure Private Transfer: $32
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from SanJose Juan Santamaría Airport to SanJose City: $39
- Private One-way Juan Santamaria Airport Transfer to from San Jose: $41
- Transfer Costa Rica SJO Airport To OR From Hotels nearby Private : $45
- Private Airport and Hotel Transfer: Alajuela and San Jose: $45
- Private Transfer from San Jose City to Puntarenas Cruise Port: $50
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport (SJO) to Puntarenas Port: $50
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport One Way: $56
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $64
- Private transfer from SJO Intl Airport to downtown Hotels: $65
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
Is it cheaper to fly into Podgorica or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Podgorica 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 dayPodgorica €41San Jose €17
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.Podgorica €21San Jose €20
Tours and Activities in Podgorica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Podgorica are as follows:
- ATV Private Tour Montenegro – Žabljak Crnojevića: $335
- ATV Tour Montenegro - Žabljak Crnojevića: $196
- Bar and Ulcinj Private Tour - Oriental Montenegro Experience: $241
- Biogradska Gora - Biograd Lake & Moraca canyon - Skadar Lake tour: $157
- Bjelasica – Troglava – Zekova glava - Hiking Tour: $260
- Boat Cruise Viktor Skadar LakeVirpazar Kom MonasteryVirpazar: $14
- Book Your Tour Ostrog Monastery: $66
- Book Your Tour Podgorica by walk: $36
- Cheese farm tour in the katun: $281
- Durmitor - Black Lake & Tara River Canyon - North Montenegro tour: $226
- Durmitor National Park, Northern Fairy Tail -private tour from Podgorica: $180
- Durmitor mountain - Glacial lakes - Montenegro hiking tours: $208
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 dayPodgorica €20San Jose €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:
- Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery: $27
- Book Your Wine Tour: $78
- Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $98
- Wine tasting in the family winery, feel the spirit: $121
- Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $129
- Full Day Private Podgorica Wine Tour Experience: $159
- Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $197
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 Podgorica and San Jose, we can see that Podgorica is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Podgorica 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 Podgorica would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Podgorica 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 Podgorica Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Podgorica or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Podgorica. When comparing the sizes of Podgorica 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 Podgorica or San Jose?
Podgorica 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 Podgorica or San Jose in the Summer?
Both San Jose and Podgorica during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Podgorica is around the same temperature as San Jose in the summer. The daily temperature in Podgorica averages around 26°C (80°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Podgorica. In the summer, Podgorica often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Podgorica gets 341 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Podgorica usually gets less rain in July than San Jose. Podgorica gets 40 mm (1.6 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 JulyPodgorica 26°C (80°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Podgorica or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Podgorica and San Jose. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Podgorica is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Podgorica in October average around 17°C (63°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In Podgorica, it's very sunny this time of the year. Podgorica usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during autumn. Podgorica gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Jose receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Podgorica gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Podgorica usually receives less rain than San Jose. Podgorica gets 166 mm (6.5 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 OctoberPodgorica 17°C (63°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Podgorica or San Jose in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Podgorica as well as San Jose. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In January, Podgorica is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Podgorica average around 6°C (42°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In the winter, Podgorica often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Podgorica gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.
Podgorica receives a lot of rain in the winter. Podgorica usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Podgorica gets 192 mm (7.6 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 JanuaryPodgorica 6°C (42°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Podgorica or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Podgorica are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Podgorica is much colder than San Jose in the spring. The daily temperature in Podgorica averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It's quite sunny in San Jose. Podgorica usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during spring. Podgorica gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Podgorica. In April, Podgorica usually receives more rain than San Jose. Podgorica gets 144 mm (5.7 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 AprilPodgorica 14°C (58°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Podgorica
| Podgorica | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (42°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (80°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (53°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 217 mm (8.5 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.