Which place is cheaper, Honolulu or San Jose?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Jose or Honolulu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Jose or Honolulu, 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 Honolulu?
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.
Honolulu
Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the state's center for government, finance, and transportation. It's also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the state of Hawaii. Nearly one million people live in this Honolulu metropolitan area. This is almost 80% of the state's population. The city is not the relaxed Hawaiian destination that you might be searching for, but is instead a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. In addition to attracting many tourists every year, you'll also find international businesses, military defense and a diverse culture and population.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Jose $89Honolulu $284
The average daily cost (per person) in San Jose is $89, while the average daily cost in Honolulu is $284. 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 Honolulu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Jose $48Honolulu $183
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Jose $96Honolulu $366
Compare Hotels in San Jose and Honolulu
Looking for a hotel in San Jose or Honolulu? 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 and Honolulu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Jose $19Honolulu $26
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$2.71
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Honolulu
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Honolulu are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
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Airport Shuttle for Two$30
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Hilton Parking$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Honolulu
Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 【ARRIVAL】Honolulu Airport -Private Transfer to Waikiki: $70
- VIP Transfer: Ko Olina to Honolulu Airport or Vice Versa: $199
- VIP Transfer Between Waikiki & Honolulu Airport, /vice versa: $136
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Honolulu HTL-APT (HNL): $81
- Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $39
- Shared Departure Transfer: Oahu Hotels or Cruise Terminal to Honolulu Airport: $20
- Shared Departure Transfer from Waikiki Hotels to Honolulu Airport: $18
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $20
- Private Transfers between HNL Airport and Honolulu City: $56
- Private Transfer: Honolulu Airport HNL to Honolulu in Sedan Car: $108
- Private Transfer: Honolulu Airport HNL to Honolulu in Luxury SUV: $137
- Private Transfer from Honolulu Airport HNL to Waikiki by SUV: $148
Is it cheaper to fly into San Jose or Honolulu?
Prices for flights to both Honolulu 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 $18Honolulu $53
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
Typical Food Prices in Honolulu
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:
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Dinner for Two$73
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Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream$5.55
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Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)$53
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Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)$34
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Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)$7.50
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Hot Dog with the Fixins'$8.30
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Sushi Dinner for Two$73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hawaii Food Tour - Off The Beaten Path : $150
- Lanai Tabura curated Private Aloha Plate Food Tour from Honolulu: $239
- Brewery and Local Food Tour: $480
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Jose $21Honolulu $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:
- 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Parking for Hike$5.00
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Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two$12
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2 hr Dinner Cruise$85
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1 Day Kayak Rental$36
Tours and Activities in Honolulu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.
- Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial, small group Tour: $80
- 1 Hour Private Luxury Classic Car Sightseeing City Tour Honolulu: $138
- 3 Hour Sightseeing *SPECIALTY Tour: $149
- 3 Hour Sunrise Photo Tour with Malasada: $65
- 3 Hour Waikiki Waterslide and Ocean Playground Cruise: $113
- 3-Hour Adventure in Waikiki Water Park Adventure: $127
- 3-Hour Honolulu Bottom Fishing Adventure: $99,999
- 5 Hour Half Day Island Jeep Tour: $190
- 5 Hour Small Group Tour in Pearl Harbor and Honolulu: $145
- 5-Star Oahu Sightseeing with local food & shrimp plate included: $120
- 6 Hour Local Food Plate Jeep Tour: $230
- 6 Hour Romantic Hawaii Jeep Tour: $276
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Jose $16Honolulu $6.47
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Honolulu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Honolulu:
- Shaxi Dive Bar Tour: $37
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Jose and Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Jose is in Central America and Honolulu is in North 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 Honolulu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Honolulu 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 San Jose Expensive? and Is Honolulu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Jose or Honolulu?
Honolulu has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of San Jose and Honolulu, 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 Honolulu?
Honolulu 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 Honolulu in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Jose and Honolulu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round. Also, many travelers come to Honolulu for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
San Jose is around the same temperature as Honolulu in the summer. The daily temperature in San Jose averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Honolulu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Honolulu this time of the year. San Jose usually receives less sunshine than Honolulu during summer. San Jose gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 303 hours of full sun in the summer.
San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, San Jose usually receives more rain than Honolulu. San Jose gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Jose 28°C (82°F)Honolulu 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit San Jose or Honolulu in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Jose as well as Honolulu. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Honolulu in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, San Jose is around the same temperature as Honolulu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Jose in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Honolulu averages at about 80°F (26°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Honolulu. In the autumn, San Jose often gets less sunshine than Honolulu. San Jose gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 246 hours of full sun.
San Jose receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Jose usually gets more rain in October than Honolulu. San Jose gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Jose 27°C (81°F)Honolulu 80°F (26°C)
Should I visit San Jose or Honolulu in the Winter?
Both Honolulu and San Jose are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Honolulu for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, San Jose is generally a little warmer than Honolulu. Daily temperatures in San Jose average around 27°C (81°F), and Honolulu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
It's quite sunny in Honolulu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. San Jose usually receives more sunshine than Honolulu during winter. San Jose gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Jose usually receives less rain than Honolulu. San Jose gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Jose 27°C (81°F)Honolulu 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit San Jose or Honolulu in the Spring?
Both Honolulu and San Jose during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Honolulu because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
San Jose is a little warmer than Honolulu in the spring. The daily temperature in San Jose averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Honolulu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
In Honolulu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Jose. In the spring, San Jose often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Honolulu. San Jose gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 253 hours of full sun.
San Jose usually gets less rain in April than Honolulu. San Jose gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Jose 29°C (85°F)Honolulu 76°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Honolulu and San Jose
| San Jose | Honolulu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
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.