Which place is cheaper, Easter Island or San Jose?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Jose or Easter Island?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Jose or Easter Island, 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: San Jose or Easter Island?
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.
Easter Island
Although Easter Island is considered a territory of Chile, it is actually located far out in the Pacific, almost halfway to Tahiti. Easter Island is well known, despite being one of the most isolated islands on Earth, because of the mysterious giant stone busts which date back centuries. There are 887 monumental statues, called moai, that were built by the Rapa Nui people. There remains much mystery around the historic Polynesian culture which created the stones, as well as the specific meaning for them.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Jose $90Easter Island $80
The average daily cost (per person) in San Jose is $90, while the average daily cost in Easter Island is $80. 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 San Jose and Easter Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Jose $49Easter Island $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Jose $98Easter Island $88
Compare Hotels in San Jose and Easter Island
Looking for a hotel in San Jose or Easter Island? 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: San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Jose $19Easter Island $2.59
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:
- transfer from Juan Santamaria airport to Dominical and Uvita: $290
- Transfers to Occidental Papagayo - Secrets Resort, Round-Trip: $130
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from SanJose Juan Santamaría Airport to SanJose City: $39
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from SanJose City to SanJose Juan Santamaría Airport: $39
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Transfer from SJO Airport to Jaco or vice versa: $125
- Transfer TO or FROM SJO Airport to Monteverde Area. Private, NOT SHARED: $215
- Transfer TO & FROM SJO Airport to Esterillos - Bejuco Not Shared.: $180
- Transfer SJO Airport to Hotels nearby or Vice versa Private 6 PAX: $45
- Transfer SJO Airport TO & FROM Dominical OR Uvita (One Way): $290
- Transfer From San Jose to Puerto Viejo: $80
- Transfer Airport Area to Jaco Hotels Private One Way Transport: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into San Jose or Easter Island?
Prices for flights to both Easter Island and San Jose 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 daySan Jose $18Easter Island $25
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
- Tropical Cooking Classes: $52
- 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
- Private Authentic Food Tour in San José: $84
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $179
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Easter Island
For Easter Island, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner, Show and Traditional Curanto Te Ra'ai Cultural Experience: $120
- Rapa Nui Dinner Show on Easter Island: $153
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Jose $21Easter Island $40
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Street Food Walking Tour in Downtown San Jose: $60
- 2-Hour Downtown San Jose Walking Tour: $33
- 2-Hour Orosi Nocturnal Tour: $33
- 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 Combo Experience: Canopy & Rapell + Thermals: $65
- 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Easter Island
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Easter Island's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Bike Rental$8.38
Tours and Activities in Easter Island
For Easter Island, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Day Tour Touring the Highlights of Rapa Nui: $300
- Half Day Private Tour: Caves and Volcanic Refuges: $170
- 2 Day Private Tour: Rapa Nui's Cultural Heritage: $300
- 2 Days Highlights Tour in Easter Island Moai and Nature: $210
- 3 Hours Terevaka Horseback Private Guided Riding Tour: $180
- Easter Island Full-Day Tour: Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku and Anakena Beach: $171
- Easter Island Moai Archaeology Tour: Ahu Akivi, Ahu Tahai and Puna Pauâ Quarry.: $91
- Poike Volcano Private Hiking Tour with Guide: $280
- Experience Easter Island Shared Tour for Cruise Ship Passengers : $290
- Full Day Hotu Matua Tour from Vaihu to Anakena: $70
- Full Day Private Tour: Factory of the Moai the stone giants: $219
- Full Day Tour - The Land of Hotu Matu´a: $177
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Jose $17Easter Island $5.34
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 comparing the travel costs between San Jose and Easter Island, we can see that San Jose is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though San Jose is in Central America and Easter Island is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Jose Expensive? and Is Easter Island Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Jose or Easter Island?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Easter Island. When comparing the sizes of San Jose and Easter Island, 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 San Jose or Easter Island?
Easter Island 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 San Jose or Easter Island in the Summer?
Both Easter Island and San Jose are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
San Jose is a little warmer than Easter Island in the summer. The daily temperature in San Jose averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Easter Island fluctuates around 24°C (74°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Easter Island. San Jose usually receives less sunshine than Easter Island during summer. San Jose gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Easter Island receives 272 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. In July, San Jose usually receives more rain than Easter Islandin January. San Jose gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySan Jose 28°C (82°F)Easter Island 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Easter Island in the Autumn?
Both Easter Island and San Jose during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, San Jose is a little warmer than Easter Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Jose in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Easter Island averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.
In the autumn, San Jose often gets less sunshine than Easter Islandin April. San Jose gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Easter Island receives 185 hours of full sun.
Easter Island gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. San Jose usually gets more rain in October than Easter Islandin April. San Jose gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSan Jose 27°C (81°F)Easter Island 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Easter Island in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Jose and Easter Island. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
In January, San Jose is generally a little warmer than Easter Islandin July. Daily temperatures in San Jose average around 27°C (81°F), and Easter Island fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Jose usually receives more sunshine than Easter Island during winter. San Jose gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Easter Island receives 148 hours of full sun in the winter.
Easter Island receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, San Jose usually receives less rain than Easter Islandin July. San Jose gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySan Jose 27°C (81°F)Easter Island 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Easter Island in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Jose as well as Easter Island. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
San Jose is much warmer than Easter Island in the spring. The daily temperature in San Jose averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Easter Island fluctuates around 20°C (67°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Easter Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. In the spring, San Jose often gets more sunshine than Easter Islandin October. San Jose gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Easter Island receives 224 hours of full sun.
San Jose usually gets less rain in April than Easter Islandin October. San Jose gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSan Jose 29°C (85°F)Easter Island 20°C (67°F)
Typical Weather for Easter Island and San Jose
| San Jose | Easter Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 86 mm (3.4 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.