Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Port-of-Spain?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Port-of-Spain or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Port-of-Spain and San Jose can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Port-of-Spain or San Jose?
Port-of-Spain
Located on the northwest coast of Trinidad island, Port of Spain is the capital of the Caribbean island nation Trinidad & Tobago. It is a hub of activity, especially during the celebration of Carnival for which the island nation is famous.
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 Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPort-of-Spain $174San Jose $90
The average daily cost (per person) in Port-of-Spain is $174, while the average daily cost in San Jose is $90. 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 Port-of-Spain and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPort-of-Spain $80San Jose $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPort-of-Spain $160San Jose $98
Compare Hotels in Port-of-Spain and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Port-of-Spain 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: Port-of-Spain Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Port-of-Spain $49San Jose $19
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 - 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 Cahuita, English Speaking Driver: $239
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Monteverde, English Speaking Driver: $179
- Direct transfer from San Jose to La Fortuna, English Speaking Driver: $152
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Arrival Private Transfer: $67
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $135
- Juan Santamaria Intl Airport(SJO) to Puntarenas city-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $165
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Port-of-Spain or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Port-of-Spain 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 dayPort-of-Spain $54San Jose $18
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 : $34
- Tropical Cooking Classes: $52
- San Jose By Night Tour: Farm to Table Dinner & Cocktails Classes: $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
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Port-of-Spain $59San Jose $21
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
- Visit a Butterfly Chapel, Gardens, Coffee Tour with Typical Lunch: $30
- Private Roasting and Cupping Coffee Experience: $30
- Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour: $31
- 2-Hour Downtown San Jose Walking Tour: $33
- Private Custom Guided Tour in San Jose: $33
- 2-Hour Orosi Nocturnal Tour: $33
- San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees: $33
- San Jose ART Walking Tour - small groups, creative experience: $35
- Historical Tour and Old Houses by Dota: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPort-of-Spain $22San Jose $17
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 Port-of-Spain and San Jose, we can see that Port-of-Spain is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Port-of-Spain is in Caribbean Islands 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 Port-of-Spain would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Port-of-Spain 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 Port-of-Spain Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Port-of-Spain or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Port-of-Spain. When comparing the sizes of Port-of-Spain 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 Port-of-Spain 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 Port-of-Spain or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Port-of-Spain as well as San Jose. Port-of-Spain 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. Port-of-Spain receives a lot of rain in the summer. Port-of-Spain usually gets more rain in July than San Jose. Port-of-Spain gets 266 mm (10.5 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 Port-of-Spain this time of the year. In the summer, Port-of-Spain often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Port-of-Spain gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Port-of-Spain is around the same temperature as San Jose. Typically, the summer temperatures in Port-of-Spain 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 JulyPort-of-Spain 27°C (81°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Port-of-Spain or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Port-of-Spain are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Port-of-Spain throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. It's quite rainy in Port-of-Spain. In October, Port-of-Spain usually receives less rain than San Jose. Port-of-Spain gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Port-of-Spain. Port-of-Spain usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during autumn. Port-of-Spain gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Port-of-Spain is generally around the same temperature as San Jose. Daily temperatures in Port-of-Spain average around 27°C (81°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPort-of-Spain 27°C (81°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Port-of-Spain or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Port-of-Spain during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Port-of-Spain because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Port-of-Spain usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Port-of-Spain gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Port-of-Spain. In the winter, Port-of-Spain often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Port-of-Spain gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.
Port-of-Spain is around the same temperature as San Jose in the winter. The daily temperature in Port-of-Spain averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPort-of-Spain 26°C (78°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Port-of-Spain or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Port-of-Spain and San Jose. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Port-of-Spain year-round. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Port-of-Spain usually receives more rain than San Jose. Port-of-Spain gets 51 mm (2 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 Port-of-Spain, it's very sunny this time of the year. Port-of-Spain usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose during spring. Port-of-Spain gets 238 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Port-of-Spain is around the same temperature as San Jose. Typically, the spring temperatures in Port-of-Spain in April average around 27°C (81°F), and San Jose averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPort-of-Spain 27°C (81°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Port-of-Spain
| Port-of-Spain | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 252 mm (9.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 225 mm (8.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 203 mm (8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 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.