Which place is cheaper, Miami or San Jose?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Jose or Miami?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Jose or Miami, 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 Miami?
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.
Miami
Miami is a popular tourist destination and a modern city in South Florida. It has beautiful white beaches, crystal blue waters, cosmopolitan neighborhoods, impressive shopping, and excellent dining opportunities. It is also a gateway to the Florida Keys, which is another popular destination in South Florida.
Miami is the second most populated city in Florida and the metropolitan area is the most populated in the state with more than 5.4 million people. It's also the 7th largest metro area in the country. The city sits between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Everglades to the west. It covers 110 miles north to south but is a narrow 20 miles east to west.
Miami sits at a low latitude, giving it a subtropical savannah climate. There are two seasons; the warm and dry season between November and April and the hot and wet season between May and October. The coldest months are between December and March when highs are in the upper 70 or low 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The summer months have highs in the upper 80s or 90s and lows in the mid 70s with high humidity.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Jose $89Miami $206
The average daily cost (per person) in San Jose is $89, while the average daily cost in Miami is $206. 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 Miami in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Jose $48Miami $132
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Jose $96Miami $264
Compare Hotels in San Jose and Miami
Looking for a hotel in San Jose or Miami? 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 Miami Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Jose $19Miami $38
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 San José Airport - La Fortuna: $180
- Airport transfer from SJO Airport to Los Sueños Marriott: $170
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport SJO to Arenal by Minivan: $177
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport to Manuel Antonio by Minivan: $158
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Monteverde, English Speaking Driver: $181
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $136
- Juan Santamaria Intl Airport(SJO) to Puntarenas city-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $167
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Puntarenas city- Arrival Private Transfer: $83
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $64
- One way Transfer from SJO airport or San José to Playa Dominical max 5 passenger: $240
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Miami
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Miami are as follows:
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Car Rental for a Day$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Miami
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Miami:
- Transfers in Miami: $105
- Transfers Airports Miami, Ft. Lauderdale Port Mía Everglades: $25
- Transfer from Port Miami to Miami Airport: $160
- Transfer from Miami Hotel or Miami Port to Fort Lauderdale Airport or Hotel: $210
- Transfer from Miami Airport to Miami Hotel or Miami Port: $160
- Transfer from Miami Airport to Hotel or Port Miami.: $160
- Shared Tour in Miami with Transfer: $170
- Round Trip Motorcoach Transfer to Key West from Miami: $245
- Private transfer from Miami hotel to Port of Miami: $160
- Private Transfer: Miami International Airport (MIA) to Miami Beach : $69
- Private Transfer to Miami Airport (Departures): $85
- Private Transfer from Miami Airport to any Hotels Downtown Miami: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into San Jose or Miami?
Prices for flights to both Miami 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 $18Miami $41
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 Miami
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Miami:
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Lunch with Drinks (for 2)$45
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David's Cafe Lunch (for 1)$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Miami
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Miami.
- The Ultimate Little Havana Food Tour: $64
- Wynwood Street Art, Culture, Donuts & Walking Food Tour: $65
- South Beach Food Tour: $70
- A Taste of South Beach Food Tour: $70
- Little Havana Walking Food Tour: $75
- South Beach Miami Food & Fun Art Deco Food Tour : $79
- Wynwood Walls Art District Food Tour: $80
- Mango's Tropical Cafe Dinner & Show: $98
- Mango's Dinner and Show Ticket: $98
- Miami Dinner Party w/ Night Club Experience: $100
- Guided Small Group Little Havana Food Tour: $124
- Ukrainian cooking class in Miami: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Jose $21Miami $31
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
- Private Roasting and Cupping Coffee Experience: $30
- Sarapiqui Frog Tour: $30
- Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour: $31
- Poas Volcano National Park - Admission Ticket: $32
- San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees: $33
- Skip the Line: Rescate Wildlife Rescue Centre General Admission Ticket: $35
- San Jose Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- San Jose ART Walking Tour - small groups, creative experience: $35
- Corso Lecheria Tour: $40
Tours and Activities in Miami
Here are a few actual costs in Miami for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cultural Brunch Experience in Miami: $125
- Miami's Most Authentic Walking Tour of Little Havana: $39
- South Beach Walking Tour- A Journey through Food and History: $67
- 1 Day Key West Tour from Miami Florida: $175
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Experience in Miami Beach Florida: $95
- 1 Hour Star Island Segway Tour: $74
- 1-Hour Private Miami Photoshoot Experience: $65
- 1HR Boat Tour Around Miami Celebrities Mansion: $65
- 2 HR Miami Lights & Skyline Private Night Tour for up to 6 people: $299
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Miami Beach: $273
- 2 hrs Miami Private Boat Tour with Cooler, Ice, Bluetooth Stereo: $75
- 2-Day Key West and Miami South Beach Tour: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Jose $16Miami $22
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Miami
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Miami are as follows:
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Evening at a Bar$32
Sample the Local Flavors in Miami
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Miami:
- Miami Bar Crawl: $25
- Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Small-Group Brewery Golf Cart Tour of Wynwood with a Local Guide: $59
- Wynwood Graffiti Brewery Golf Cart Tour: $63
- Wynwood Party Bike Bar Crawl: $64
- Wynwood Party Bike Bar Crawl: $64
- Wynwood Bar Crawl: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Jose and Miami, we can see that Miami 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 Miami 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 Miami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Miami 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 Miami Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Jose or Miami?
Miami has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of San Jose and Miami, 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 Miami?
Miami 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 Miami in the Summer?
Both Miami and San Jose during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Miami because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
San Jose is around the same temperature as Miami in the summer. The daily temperature in San Jose averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Miami fluctuates around 83°F (28°C).
In Miami, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, San Jose often gets less sunshine than Miami. San Jose gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Miami receives 316 hours of full sun.
Miami 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 July than Miami. San Jose gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Miami receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Jose 28°C (82°F)Miami 83°F (28°C)
Should I visit San Jose or Miami in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Jose and Miami. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Miami this time of year.
In the autumn, San Jose is around the same temperature as Miami. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Jose in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Miami averages at about 78°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Miami this time of the year. San Jose usually receives less sunshine than Miami during autumn. San Jose gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Miami receives 275 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Miami receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Jose usually receives more rain than Miami. San Jose gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Miami receives 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Jose 27°C (81°F)Miami 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit San Jose or Miami in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to San Jose as well as Miami. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Miami for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In January, San Jose is generally a little warmer than Miami. Daily temperatures in San Jose average around 27°C (81°F), and Miami fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Miami. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. In the winter, San Jose often gets more sunshine than Miami. San Jose gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Miami receives 243 hours of full sun.
San Jose usually gets less rain in January than Miami. San Jose gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Miami receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Jose 27°C (81°F)Miami 67°F (20°C)
Should I visit San Jose or Miami in the Spring?
Both Miami and San Jose are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Miami in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
San Jose is a little warmer than Miami in the spring. The daily temperature in San Jose averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Miami fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Miami. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. San Jose usually receives less sunshine than Miami during spring. San Jose gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Miami receives 300 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, San Jose usually receives less rain than Miami. San Jose gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Miami receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Jose 29°C (85°F)Miami 75°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Miami and San Jose
| San Jose | Miami | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (162 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 9.4 inches (238 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 83°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 83°F (28°C) | 7.5 inches (191 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.6 inches (194 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 1.9 inches (48 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.