Which place is cheaper, Valdivia or San Jose?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Jose or Valdivia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Jose or Valdivia, 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 Valdivia?
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.
Valdivia
Valdivia is a vibrant university city situated in southern Chile. It sits at the meeting point of three rivers in the aptly named Region de Los Rios (The Rivers Region) and is approximately 200 kilometers from both Temuco and Puerto Montt. Due to a large student population, Valdivia boasts a youthful and energetic vibe that is visible in its many bars, cafes and restaurants. The city is also known for having one of Chile's best craft beer cultures, which had its early beginnings when German settlers arrived in the 1840s. The rivers, nearby Pacific coastline and wetlands offer plenty for lovers of the outdoors, too.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, The Best 10-Day Tours in Chile, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Jose $90Valdivia $69
The average daily cost (per person) in San Jose is $90, while the average daily cost in Valdivia is $69. 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 Valdivia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Jose $49Valdivia $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Jose $98Valdivia $80
Compare Hotels in San Jose and Valdivia
Looking for a hotel in San Jose or Valdivia? 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 Valdivia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Jose $19Valdivia $8.08
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:
- 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 Valdivia
Also for Valdivia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Valdivia Airport Private Transfer: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into San Jose or Valdivia?
Prices for flights to both Valdivia 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 $18Valdivia $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, 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Jose $21Valdivia $13
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 Valdivia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Valdivia.
- Sightseeing Tour in Valdivia : $76
- Valdivia SUP Cruises for 6 People with Transportation Included: $35
- Private City Tour: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Jose $17Valdivia $4.79
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Jose and Valdivia, we can see that San Jose is more expensive. And not only is Valdivia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Jose is in Central America and Valdivia is in South 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 Valdivia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valdivia 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 San Jose would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Jose than you might in Valdivia.
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 Valdivia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Jose or Valdivia?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Valdivia. When comparing the sizes of San Jose and Valdivia, 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 Valdivia?
Valdivia 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 Valdivia in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Jose and Valdivia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
San Jose is much warmer than Valdivia in the summer. The daily temperature in San Jose averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Valdivia fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valdivia this time of the year. San Jose usually receives less sunshine than Valdivia during summer. San Jose gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Valdivia receives 296 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 Valdiviain January. San Jose gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySan Jose 28°C (82°F)Valdivia 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Valdivia in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Jose as well as Valdivia. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, San Jose is much warmer than Valdivia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Jose in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Valdivia averages at about 11°C (52°F)in April.
In the autumn, San Jose often gets more sunshine than Valdiviain April. San Jose gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valdivia receives 132 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Valdivia. San Jose receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Jose usually gets more rain in October than Valdiviain April. San Jose gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSan Jose 27°C (81°F)Valdivia 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Valdivia in the Winter?
Both Valdivia 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 January, San Jose is generally much warmer than Valdiviain July. Daily temperatures in San Jose average around 27°C (81°F), and Valdivia fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. San Jose usually receives more sunshine than Valdivia during winter. San Jose gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Valdivia receives 66 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Valdivia. In January, San Jose usually receives less rain than Valdiviain July. San Jose gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySan Jose 27°C (81°F)Valdivia 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Valdivia in the Spring?
Both Valdivia 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.
San Jose is much warmer than Valdivia in the spring. The daily temperature in San Jose averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Valdivia fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in San Jose. In the spring, San Jose often gets more sunshine than Valdiviain October. San Jose gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valdivia receives 198 hours of full sun.
Valdivia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. San Jose usually gets less rain in April than Valdiviain October. San Jose gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSan Jose 29°C (85°F)Valdivia 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Valdivia and San Jose
| San Jose | Valdivia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 297 mm (11.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 247 mm (9.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.