Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or San Jose?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Jose or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Jose or Ottawa, 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 Ottawa?
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.
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River. A city of many ethnic populations, Ottawa is uniquely bilingual with English as the first language of the population's majority and French as a close second. It is best known as the nation's capital, which is centered on Parliament Hill, an architectural landmark as well as the seat of government.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Jose $89Ottawa $123
The average daily cost (per person) in San Jose is $89, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is $123. 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 Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Jose $48Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Jose $96Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in San Jose and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in San Jose or Ottawa? 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 Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Jose $19Ottawa $7.27
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:
- Transfers to Occidental Papagayo - Secrets Resort, Round-Trip: $130
- Transfer to Los Sueños Marriot Playa Herradura from San Jose or Airport: $215
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from SanJose Juan Santamaría Airport to SanJose City: $39
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Transfer from Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) to Quepos Cruise Port: $72
- Transfer TO & FROM SJO Airport to Esterillos - Bejuco Not Shared.: $180
- Transfer SJO Airport TO & FROM Dominical OR Uvita (One Way): $290
- Transfer Costa Rica SJO Airport To OR From Hotels nearby Private : $45
- Transfer Airport area to Manuel Antonio Hotels Private One Way: $185
- Transfer Airport Area to Jaco Hotels Private One Way Transport: $150
- Shuttle & transfer rides to Jaco beach: $137
- Shared transfer to Manuel Antonio: $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa
Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Ottawa Airport (YOW) to Ottawa City: $66
- Private Arrival Transfer in Ottawa Airport : $52
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
- Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
Is it cheaper to fly into San Jose or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa 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 $18Ottawa $17
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ottawa
For Ottawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical : $71
- Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $79
- Evening Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $82
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Jose $21Ottawa $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
Tours and Activities in Ottawa
For Ottawa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour: $59
- A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $6.99
- Best of Ottawa Neighbourhoods & Nature Bike Tour: $82
- Best of Ottawa Small Group Tour with River Cruise: $133
- Best of Ottawa Small Group Walking Tour with Boat Cruise: $85
- City Beers: Bus Tour of Ottawa Breweries: $75
- Explore Canada Through Ottawa's Eyes with Walking Tours Through The City: $6.69
- Full Day Montreal and Cruise Tour from Ottawa: $115
- Gems and Surprises – Ottawa Walking Tour: $186
- Helicopter Private Tour Over Ottawa 70KM in 20 min : $151
- Hidden Ottawa Secrets Walking Tour: $25
- Ottawa Boat Cruise - Paul's Boat Line: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Jose $16Ottawa $18
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 Ottawa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ottawa:
- Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Jose and Ottawa, we can see that Ottawa 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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ottawa 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 Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Jose or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of San Jose and Ottawa, 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 Ottawa?
Ottawa 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 Ottawa in the Summer?
Both Ottawa 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.
In July, San Jose is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in San Jose average around 28°C (82°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
It's quite sunny in Ottawa. San Jose usually receives less sunshine than Ottawa during summer. San Jose gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. In July, San Jose usually receives more rain than Ottawa. San Jose gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Jose 28°C (82°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Ottawa in the Autumn?
Both Ottawa 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.
San Jose is much warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Jose averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In the autumn, San Jose often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. San Jose gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. San Jose usually gets more rain in October than Ottawa. San Jose gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Jose 27°C (81°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Ottawa in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Jose and Ottawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
It's quite cold in Ottawa in the winter. In the winter, San Jose is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Jose in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Jose usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. San Jose gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Jose usually receives less rain than Ottawa. San Jose gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Jose 27°C (81°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Ottawa in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Jose as well as Ottawa. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, San Jose is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in San Jose average around 29°C (85°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
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 Ottawa. San Jose gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
San Jose usually gets less rain in April than Ottawa. San Jose gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Jose 29°C (85°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and San Jose
| San Jose | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 73 mm (2.9 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.