A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Reykjavik vs. San Jose for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Reykjavik or San Jose?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a green, safe, and friendly city. Reykjavik is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and shopping. See Reykjavik travel costs.

San Jose

San Jose is a bustling, authentic, and traditional city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See San Jose travel costs.

Reykjavik and San Jose: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Reykjavik or San Jose?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Jose than Reykjavik, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. San Jose is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Reykjavik is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than San Jose and is known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. San Jose is popular for its colorful markets and vibrant nightlife, as well as its easy access to the rest of the country. It is also home to The National Museum of Costa Rica.

How is Reykjavik different from San Jose?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Jose and Reykjavik. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Reykjavik or San Jose?

San Jose is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

San Jose is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Despite most people rushing through town, there are a number of museums, plazas, and interesting buildings that are worth checking out.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Reykjavik or San Jose? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

San Jose is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around San Jose. Most people miss out on local cuisine during their time in Costa Rica, but the capital city offers the best opportunities to eat like a local. You can sample favorite local dishes such as chifrijo, gallo pinto, rondón, and casado. You should also wander through the Central Market and dine at one of the many local restaurants.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Reykjavik or San Jose Better for Nightlife?

San Jose is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

San Jose has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. This city has the best nightlife in all of Costa Rica. You'll find a diversity of clubs and bars that are fun to explore. Check out the reggae bars, dance clubs, and sports bars (where you can enjoy a soccer game) while you're in town.

Reykjavik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Reykjavik or San Jose Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is very popular for its hiking trails. However, San Jose is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Reykjavik draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

San Jose is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Reykjavik or San Jose?

San Jose is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting San Jose. There are a number of unique things you can buy in the city including jewelry, handbags, and wood workings. Make sure you check out the Central Market.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Reykjavik or San Jose More Beautiful?

Reykjavik is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, San Jose is not a destination known for its beauty.

Reykjavik is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The city offers the perfect gateway to world-renowned natural beauty including waterfalls, hot springs, and active volcanoes.

San Jose is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Reykjavik or San Jose Better for Families?

Reykjavik is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Reykjavik is a very family-friendly destination. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

San Jose doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Most people pass through the city quickly, but if you have a day or two to explore, you can visit the Children's Museum (Museo de los Niños), Spirogyra Butterfly Gardens, or explore the Central Market.

Is Reykjavik or San Jose Better for Couples?

Reykjavik is a very popular place for romance. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Reykjavik makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Most people don't think of San Jose as a couple's destination. While Costa Rica is a popular honeymoon destination, the capital city is often overlooked for the beaches and rainforests around the country.

Is Reykjavik or San Jose Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Jose is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

San Jose is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Backpackers appreciate the affordability of the city and the wide range of hostels that you can choose from. The city also offers an authentic glimpse of life in Costa Rica.

Reykjavik is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Reykjavik or San Jose Better for Students?

Both Reykjavik and San Jose are good destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

San Jose is popular with students. Many students come to Costa Rica to study the country's amazing environment and unique ecological systems. San Jose makes a good base as its easy to travel to other parts of this small country.

Is Reykjavik or San Jose Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Reykjavik and San Jose.

Reykjavik has some public transit options. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

You'll find some public transit in San Jose, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses that travel through the city during the daytime hours.

Is Reykjavik or San Jose a more walkable city?

Reykjavik is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Reykjavik is very walkable. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

San Jose is a somewhat walkable place. It can feel a bit chaotic, but it's relatively easy to get around on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting? and Is San Jose Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Jose or Reykjavik?

How long in Reykjavik or San Jose?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Reykjavik or San Jose to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Reykjavik than San Jose because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Reykjavik, and 1-2 days is enough time in San Jose.

Families should spend more time in Reykjavik than San Jose. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Reykjavik, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Reykjavik than San Jose. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Reykjavik that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Jose than Reykjavik if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in San Jose.

One day in Reykjavik or San Jose?

The beautiful city of Reykjavik offers shopping and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of San Jose. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Jose has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Reykjavik or San Jose?

Reykjavik is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Reykjavik, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the traditional destination of San Jose. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Reykjavik or San Jose?

Reykjavik is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Reykjavik, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the traditional city of San Jose. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Reykjavik or San Jose?

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

San Jose is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Reykjavik and San Jose, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or San Jose?

San Jose has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik or San Jose?

Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik or San Jose in the Summer?

Both San Jose and Reykjavik are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Reykjavik is much colder than San Jose in the summer. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Reykjavik usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose during summer. Reykjavik gets 171 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, Reykjavik usually receives less rain than San Jose. Reykjavik gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Reykjavik or San Jose in the Autumn?

Both San Jose and Reykjavik during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the autumn. In the autumn, Reykjavik is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Reykjavik in October average around 5°C (41°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Reykjavik gets 83 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. Reykjavik usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Reykjavik gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in San Jose. Also, the hurricane season in San Jose is May to November.

Should I visit Reykjavik or San Jose in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Reykjavik and San Jose. Many travelers come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In January, Reykjavik is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around -0°C (32°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. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Reykjavik gets 27 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Reykjavik usually receives more rain than San Jose. Reykjavik gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Reykjavik or San Jose in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Reykjavik as well as San Jose. Many visitors come to Reykjavik in the spring for the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the spring. Reykjavik is much colder than San Jose in the spring. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 3°C (38°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. In the spring, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Reykjavik gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.

Reykjavik usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Reykjavik gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in San Jose is the dry season. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in San Jose.

Typical Weather for San Jose and Reykjavik