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

Should you visit San Jose or Seattle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Jose or Seattle, 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 colorful, bustling, and authentic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See San Jose travel costs.

Seattle

Seattle is a laid-back, bustling, and progressive city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Seattle is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and beaches. See Seattle travel costs.

San Jose and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Jose or Seattle?

You'll generally find more things to do in Seattle than San Jose. Seattle is bigger than San Jose, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Seattle is better known for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, music, beaches, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while San Jose is more popular for its shopping. Seattle is more touristy than San Jose and is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. Also, Seattle is famous for The Space Needle. San Jose is well known 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 Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Seattle 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 Seattle?

Seattle is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Seattle can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

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.

Is San Jose or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for theatre. However, San Jose is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

San Jose is not a theatre destination.

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

Seattle 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 Seattle. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

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 Seattle Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Seattle is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is San Jose or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is a very popular place for live music. However, San Jose is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Seattle while you're in town. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

San Jose is not a live music destination.

Is San Jose or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, San Jose is not a beach destination.

Seattle has a beach worth visiting. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

San Jose is not a beach destination.

Is San Jose or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle 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 Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

San Jose is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in San Jose or Seattle?

San Jose is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in San Jose. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is San Jose or Seattle More Beautiful?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, San Jose is not a destination known for its beauty.

Seattle is a gorgeous place to visit. Set against the backdrop of Mt. Rainier, the city has both natural and architectural beauty. It's also beautifully situated on the water with lots of parks and vegetation throughout.

San Jose is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is San Jose or Seattle Better for Families?

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

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

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 Seattle Better for Couples?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for romance. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

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 Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Jose is notable for backpackers. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

San Jose is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is San Jose or Seattle Better for Students?

Seattle is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Seattle is a great city to visit as a student. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

San Jose is popular with students. 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.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both San Jose and Seattle.

San Jose has some public transit options. There are local buses that travel through the city during the daytime hours.

You'll find some public transit in Seattle, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is San Jose or Seattle a more walkable city?

Seattle 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.

Seattle is very walkable. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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 Seattle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seattle or San Jose?

How long in San Jose or Seattle?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both San Jose and Seattle. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Seattle than in San Jose. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for San Jose, and 2-3 days is enough time in Seattle.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Seattle 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 Seattle.

One day in San Jose or Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Seattle, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in San Jose or Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in San Jose or Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Jose and Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Jose or Seattle?

Seattle has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of San Jose and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

Seattle 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 Seattle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to San Jose as well as Seattle. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In July, San Jose is generally a little warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in San Jose average around 28°C (82°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. In the summer, San Jose often gets less sunshine than Seattle. San Jose gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

San Jose receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Jose usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. San Jose gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Jose or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle 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. Also, many travelers come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

San Jose is much warmer than Seattle in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Jose averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

San Jose usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during autumn. San Jose gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in San Jose. In October, San Jose usually receives more rain than Seattle. San Jose gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in San Jose is December to April. The hurricane season in San Jose is May to November.

Should I visit San Jose or Seattle in the Winter?

Both Seattle 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Seattle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In the winter, San Jose is much warmer than Seattle. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Jose in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Seattle averages at about 42°F (5°C).

It's quite sunny in San Jose. In the winter, San Jose often gets more sunshine than Seattle. San Jose gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

Seattle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. San Jose usually gets less rain in January than Seattle. San Jose gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Jose or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Jose and Seattle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, San Jose is generally much warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in San Jose average around 29°C (85°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seattle this time of the year. In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Jose usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during spring. San Jose gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, San Jose usually receives less rain than Seattle. San Jose gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring. December to April in San Jose is the dry season. May to November is the hurricane season in San Jose.

Typical Weather for Seattle and San Jose