Which place is cheaper, Liberia or San Jose?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Jose or Liberia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Jose or Liberia, 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 Liberia?
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.
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Jose $90Liberia $112
The average daily cost (per person) in San Jose is $90, while the average daily cost in Liberia is $112. 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 Liberia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Jose $49Liberia $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Jose $98Liberia $120
Compare Hotels in San Jose and Liberia
Looking for a hotel in San Jose or Liberia? 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 Liberia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Jose $19Liberia $43
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 in Private Vehicle from SanJose Juan Santamaría Airport to SanJose City: $39
- Private One-way Juan Santamaria Airport Transfer to from San Jose: $41
- Private Airport and Hotel Transfer: Alajuela and San Jose: $45
- Transfer SJO Airport to Hotels nearby or Vice versa Private 6 PAX: $45
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport (SJO) to Puntarenas Port: $50
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport One Way: $56
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $63
- Private transfer from SJO Intl Airport to downtown Hotels: $65
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Arrival Private Transfer: $67
- Shared transfer to Manuel Antonio: $70
- San Jose Airport Private Transfer to Jacó 1 to 4 People: $72
- San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) to Monteverde - Arrival Private Transfer: $87
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Bike Rental$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- Transfers Tamarindo Diria or Occidental Tamarindo, Round Trip.: $230
- Transfer from Playas del Coco to Liberia Airport (LIR): $90
- Transfer from Playa Hermosa to Liberia Airport (LIR): $85
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Westin Conchal Hotel: $140
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Riu Palace Hotel in Guanacaste: $90
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Riu Guanacaste Hotel in Guanacaste: $85
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Rio Perdido Resort: $210
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playas del Coco Guanacaste: $85
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playa Hermosa Guanacaste: $85
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Planet Hollywood Beach Resort: $91
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Nosara Beach Guanacaste: $183
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to El Mangroove Hotel: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into San Jose or Liberia?
Prices for flights to both Liberia 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 $18Liberia $21
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
- San Jose By Night Tour: Farm to Table Dinner & Cocktails Classes: $57
- 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
Typical Food Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Snacks$1.97
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Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$4.95
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Lunch$11
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$14
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Ginger Ale$1.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.
- Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Jose $21Liberia $25
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
- San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees: $33
- Historical Tour and Old Houses by Dota: $35
- San Jose Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Skip the Line: Rescate Wildlife Rescue Centre General Admission Ticket: $35
- Corso Lecheria Tour: $40
- Zipline Tour Arenal + Indigenous culture + Thermomineral pools: $48
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- ATV Tour Guanacaste the Beach Excursion & Trail: $110
- Birdwatching Experience private tour : $275
- Llanos de Cortez Safari and Waterfall Tour: $190
- Mega Combo Adventure: $195
- Nicaragua one day tour from Costa Rica, Discover it: $250
- 2 Hour ATV Experience From Guanacaste: $180
- 2 Hour ATV Private Tour in Costa Rica: $81
- 2 In 1 Jet Sky & Buggy Private Tour: $300
- 2-Hour Horseback Riding Tour in Guanacaste: $65
- 2-Hours UTV Tour: $110
- 3 Hour ATV Adventure Tour in El Jobo: $120
- 3 Hours Private Sunset Cruise at Dreams Las Mareas: $175
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Jose $17Liberia $13
Sample the Local Flavors in San Jose
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
- 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 San Jose and Liberia, we can see that Liberia is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Liberia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liberia 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 Liberia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Jose or Liberia?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Liberia. When comparing the sizes of San Jose and Liberia, 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 Liberia?
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 San Jose or Liberia in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to San Jose as well as Liberia. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Liberia throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Liberia. San Jose receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Jose usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Liberia. San Jose gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, San Jose often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Liberia. San Jose gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Liberia receives 164 hours of full sun.
San Jose is around the same temperature as Liberia in the summer. The daily temperature in San Jose averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Liberia fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Jose 28°C (82°F)Liberia 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Liberia in the Autumn?
Both Liberia and San Jose are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Liberia because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Liberia is December to April. The rainy season in Liberia is April to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Liberia. It's quite rainy in San Jose. In October, San Jose usually receives around the same amount of rain as Liberia. San Jose gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
San Jose usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Liberia during autumn. San Jose gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Liberia receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, San Jose is around the same temperature as Liberia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Jose in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Liberia averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Jose 27°C (81°F)Liberia 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Liberia in the Winter?
Both Liberia and San Jose during the winter 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 Liberia year-round.
San Jose usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Liberia. San Jose gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Liberia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Jose. In the winter, San Jose often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Liberia. San Jose gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Liberia receives 264 hours of full sun.
In January, San Jose is generally around the same temperature as Liberia. Daily temperatures in San Jose average around 27°C (81°F), and Liberia fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Jose 27°C (81°F)Liberia 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Liberia in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Jose and Liberia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round. Liberia attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in Liberia is the dry season. Also, April to December is the rainy season in Liberia. In April, San Jose usually receives around the same amount of rain as Liberia. San Jose gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Liberia this time of the year. In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Jose usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Liberia during spring. San Jose gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Liberia receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
San Jose is around the same temperature as Liberia in the spring. The daily temperature in San Jose averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Liberia fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Jose 29°C (85°F)Liberia 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Liberia and San Jose
| San Jose | Liberia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.