A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Jose vs. Koh Tao for Backpackers, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit San Jose or Koh Tao?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Jose or Koh Tao, 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.

San Jose

San Jose is a traditional, colorful, and bustling city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See San Jose travel costs.

Koh Tao

Koh Tao is a popular, laid back, and mellow island. Koh Tao is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Koh Tao travel costs.

San Jose and Koh Tao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Jose or Koh Tao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Koh Tao. Although San Jose and Koh Tao are popular destinations, Koh Tao has more sights and attractions for tourists. Koh Tao is very popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while San Jose attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities. Koh Tao is more touristy than San Jose and is known for its affordable scuba diving courses, laid-back island vibe, popularity with backpackers, and stunning island hikes. It is also well known for Mango Bay Viewpoint. San Jose is famous for its colorful markets and vibrant nightlife, as well as its easy access to the rest of the country.

How is San Jose different from Koh Tao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Jose is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Koh Tao is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

San Jose offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Despite most people rushing through town, there are a number of museums, plazas, and interesting buildings that are worth checking out.

Koh Tao offers a few options for museum-goers. It's a small island that is all about beachfront beauty. Most visitors enjoy the island's outdoor paradise setting, but on those rainy afternoons, there really are very few indoor activities or temples to visit.

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

Koh Tao is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Koh Tao. You'll find a huge ex-pat community on the island, and with them they bring a variety of international cuisines. There are also local establishments that sell the typical Thai dishes with lots of seafood, curries, and noodle dishes. It's fun to enjoy a beachside restaurant that lets you sit right by the water looking off into a tropical paradise.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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.

Is San Jose or Koh Tao Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in San Jose and Koh Tao.

San Jose has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Koh Tao is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. While most people head for the island for its scuba diving, when the sun goes down everyone heads to the beach to party. The island has a very active nightlife scene with its own Full Moon Parties, dance clubs, beachside bars, and more. Head to Sairee Beach for the most active nightlife and entertainment options.

Is San Jose or Koh Tao Better for Resorts?

Koh Tao is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, San Jose is not a resort destination.

Koh Tao is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. While it's mostly famous as a diving destination, there are also a diversity of resorts, from luxury to affordable, available on the island. The beaches are beautiful and many resorts offer scuba diving packages as well.

San Jose is not a resort destination.

Is San Jose or Koh Tao Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Tao is very popular for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, San Jose is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Koh Tao specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The island is Thailand's most famous scuba diving destination for it's affordable certifications and prolific dive shops. There are a variety of dive sites near the island, but with fame and popularity come challenges. The coral and sealife is feeling the pressure of the high number of tourists, and the reefs show their damage. But the training you receive here is affordable and well-established.

San Jose is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is San Jose or Koh Tao Better for Beaches?

Koh Tao is very popular for its beaches. However, San Jose is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Koh Tao are among the best in the world. The white sand beaches have a mellow vibe with beautiful blue waters. This is a true tropical paradise with beachside cafes, easy snorkeling, and warm water. The beaches range from quiet and isolated to high energy and vibrant.

San Jose is not a beach destination.

Is San Jose or Koh Tao Better for Hiking?

Koh Tao is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, San Jose is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Koh Tao. Hiking is the best way to enjoy the inland beauty of the island. There are paths that take you through the jungle covered land to viewpoints and remote areas. Many paths are rustic and not always well maintained so it's helpful to ask a local for directions beforehand.

San Jose is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in San Jose or Koh Tao?

San Jose is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Koh Tao is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its shopping areas.

San Jose is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Koh Tao to go shopping. The main beach areas of Mae Haad, Sairee, and Chalok Baan Kao have the highest concentration of clothing and dive equipment shops. Because it's an island with limited access, prices can be a bit high.

Is San Jose or Koh Tao More Beautiful?

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

Koh Tao is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The island is famous for its cheap diving scene and underwater beauty, but there are also stunning beaches with crystal blue waters as well as quiet bays.

San Jose is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is San Jose or Koh Tao Better for Families?

Koh Tao is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Koh Tao is a family-friendly island. The island is popular for its affordable scuba diving certifications, so there are a number of options for families with older kids who'd like to get certified. It's also a more laid back and smaller island than some nearby places, so it's possible to find quiet beaches where your family can relax. Some of the quieter beaches include Sai Nuan and Ao Luek. You'll still find a large number of backpackers on the island, but there's a more chill atmosphere with most visitors focused on scuba diving and exploring.

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 San Jose or Koh Tao Better for Couples?

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

Koh Tao makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This laid back island offers a relaxing honeymoon destination for couples who want to learn to scuba dive and enjoy a bit of tropical paradise. There are beachside restaurants, beautiful blue waters, white sand, and everything you need for your own piece of paradise.

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 San Jose or Koh Tao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Tao is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Koh Tao. The island is an oasis for backpackers who want to enjoy the mellow island life, learn to scuba dive cheaply, and have fun at a beachside party. There are plenty of affordable places to stay and countless opportunities to meet other backpackers. The island is also well connected to other nearby islands.

San Jose is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Is San Jose or Koh Tao Better for Students?

San Jose is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Koh Tao is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit San Jose. 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.

Koh Tao is not popular with students.

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

San Jose is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Koh Tao is not a good destination for its public transit.

While San Jose offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are local buses that travel through the city during the daytime hours.

Public transit is generally limited in Koh Tao. You can rent a motorbike or bicycle to explore the island. There are also taxis and taxi boats available.

Is San Jose or Koh Tao a more walkable city?

Koh Tao 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.

Koh Tao is very walkable. The island is smaller than many islands in Thailand, and the small towns are usually no more than 5 kilometers apart. It's also possible to walk around most of the small towns.

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 San Jose Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Tao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koh Tao or San Jose?

How long in San Jose or Koh Tao?

Both San Jose and Koh Tao have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Tao than in San Jose. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for San Jose, and 2-7 days is enough time in Koh Tao.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Tao than San Jose 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 Koh Tao.

One day in San Jose or Koh Tao?

In San Jose, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The beautiful island of Koh Tao offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in San Jose or Koh Tao?

In San Jose, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Jose has to offer.

Koh Tao is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koh Tao, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in San Jose or Koh Tao?

San Jose is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Koh Tao is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koh Tao, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in San Jose or Koh Tao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Jose. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting San Jose. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Koh Tao is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Tao has to offer. This island offers something for everyone.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Jose and Koh Tao, we can see that San Jose is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Jose is in Central America and Koh Tao is in Asia, 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 Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 San Jose would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Jose than you might in Koh Tao.

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 Koh Tao Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Jose or Koh Tao?

San Jose has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of San Jose and Koh Tao, 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 Koh Tao?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit San Jose or Koh Tao in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Jose and Koh Tao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Koh Tao receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, San Jose usually receives around the same amount of rain as Koh Tao. San Jose gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

San Jose usually receives less sunshine than Koh Tao during summer. San Jose gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

In the summer, San Jose is a little warmer than Koh Tao. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Jose in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).

Should I visit San Jose or Koh Tao in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to San Jose as well as Koh Tao. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.

Also, December to April in San Jose is the dry season. Also, May to November in San Jose is the hurricane season. October and November in Koh Tao is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Tao. San Jose receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Jose usually gets less rain in October than Koh Tao. San Jose gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, San Jose often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao. San Jose gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun.

In October, San Jose is generally a little warmer than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in San Jose average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

Should I visit San Jose or Koh Tao in the Winter?

Both Koh Tao 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. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Koh Tao is February to June. In January, San Jose usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. San Jose gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Koh Tao. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. San Jose usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao during winter. San Jose gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun in the winter.

San Jose is a little warmer than Koh Tao in the winter. The daily temperature in San Jose averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Should I visit San Jose or Koh Tao in the Spring?

Both Koh Tao 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.

December to April is the dry season in San Jose. Also, the hurricane season in San Jose is May to November. February to June is the dry season in Koh Tao. San Jose usually gets less rain in April than Koh Tao. San Jose gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Koh Tao, 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 Koh Tao. San Jose gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun.

In the spring, San Jose is a little warmer than Koh Tao. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Jose in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 25°C (77°F).

Typical Weather for Koh Tao and San Jose