Which place is cheaper, Temuco or San Jose?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit San Jose or Temuco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Jose or Temuco, 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 Temuco?
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.
Temuco
Temuco is a large and modern city found 680 km south of Santiago. While the city is dynamic, it does not have any particular charm with the exception of being a great point of departure for many excursions around the lake region and the many national parks found in the surrounding area. Temuco is also well known for its Mapuche culture, a proud and rebellious community of around 20 000 in the area today, who has fought continuously against every invaders in the past.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Jose $90Temuco $80
The average daily cost (per person) in San Jose is $90, while the average daily cost in Temuco is $80. 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 Temuco in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Jose $49Temuco $44
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Jose $98Temuco $88
Compare Hotels in San Jose and Temuco
Looking for a hotel in San Jose or Temuco? 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 Temuco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Jose $19Temuco $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Jose
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Jose are as follows:
-
Taxi from SJO$25
-
Local Bus$2.72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Tortuguero: $300
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport to Guanacaste Hotels: $299
- transfer from Juan Santamaria airport to Dominical and Uvita: $290
- Transfer SJO Airport TO & FROM Dominical OR Uvita (One Way): $290
- Private One Way Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $280
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport or Guanacaste Hotels: $276
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Tambor beach: $276
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Manuel Antonio Quepos: $269
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Samara Beach: $265
- Private Transfer: $260
- Private Transfer Airport or San Jose hotels to Puerto Viejo Limon: $259
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Temuco
Also for Temuco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers from or to Temuco - Araucanía Airport: $35
- Transfer from Temuco Airport to Pucon: $140
- Transfer Araucanía Airport - Temuco: $50
- Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Thermal Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $98
- Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Resorts - Arrival Private Transfer: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into San Jose or Temuco?
Prices for flights to both Temuco 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
-
Food Meals for one daySan Jose $18Temuco $22
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
- Tropical Cooking Classes: $52
- 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
- Private Authentic Food Tour in San José: $84
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $179
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Jose $21Temuco $7.85
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Street Food Walking Tour in Downtown San Jose: $60
- 2-Hour Downtown San Jose Walking Tour: $33
- 2-Hour Orosi Nocturnal Tour: $33
- 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 Combo Experience: Canopy & Rapell + Thermals: $65
- 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
Tours and Activities in Temuco
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Temuco.
- Tour Mapuche Community Araucanía: $582
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Jose $17Temuco $5.13
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
When comparing the travel costs between San Jose and Temuco, we can see that San Jose is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though San Jose is in Central America and Temuco is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Temuco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Jose or Temuco?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Temuco. When comparing the sizes of San Jose and Temuco, 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 Temuco?
Temuco 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 Temuco in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Jose and Temuco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
In July, San Jose is generally much warmer than Temucoin January. Daily temperatures in San Jose average around 28°C (82°F), and Temuco fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Temuco this time of the year. San Jose usually receives less sunshine than Temuco during summer. San Jose gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Temuco receives 290 hours of full sun in the summer.
San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, San Jose usually receives more rain than Temucoin January. San Jose gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Temuco receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySan Jose 28°C (82°F)Temuco 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Temuco in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Jose as well as Temuco. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
San Jose is much warmer than Temuco in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Jose averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Temuco fluctuates around 12°C (53°F)in April.
In the autumn, San Jose often gets more sunshine than Temucoin April. San Jose gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Temuco receives 150 hours of full sun.
San Jose receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Jose usually gets more rain in October than Temucoin April. San Jose gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Temuco receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSan Jose 27°C (81°F)Temuco 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Temuco in the Winter?
Both Temuco 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.
In the winter, San Jose is much warmer than Temuco. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Jose in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Temuco averages at about 8°C (46°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. San Jose usually receives more sunshine than Temuco during winter. San Jose gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Temuco receives 78 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Temuco. In January, San Jose usually receives less rain than Temucoin July. San Jose gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Temuco receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySan Jose 27°C (81°F)Temuco 8°C (46°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Temuco in the Spring?
Both Temuco 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.
In April, San Jose is generally much warmer than Temucoin October. Daily temperatures in San Jose average around 29°C (85°F), and Temuco fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
It's quite sunny in San Jose. In the spring, San Jose often gets more sunshine than Temucoin October. San Jose gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Temuco receives 193 hours of full sun.
San Jose usually gets less rain in April than Temucoin October. San Jose gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Temuco receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSan Jose 29°C (85°F)Temuco 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Temuco and San Jose
| San Jose | Temuco | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 177 mm (7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.