Which place is cheaper, San Jose or San Juan del Sur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Juan del Sur or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for San Juan del Sur and San Jose. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: San Juan del Sur or San Jose?
San Juan del Sur
San Juan del Sur is a popular port destination on the Pacific coast of southwest Nicaragua. The town was once a quaint fishing village but has grown into a tourist town with activities for visitors that include surfing, fishing, and, of course, partying. The town has a population of just over 15,000, most of whom are either fishermen or involved in the tourism industry. There is also a large expat community from the United States, Canada, and Europe.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan del Sur $53San Jose $90
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan del Sur is $53, while the average daily cost in San Jose is $90. 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 Juan del Sur and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan del Sur $21San Jose $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan del Sur $42San Jose $98
Compare Hotels in San Juan del Sur and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur or San Jose? 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 Juan del Sur Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan del Sur $18San Jose $19
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 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 SJO to San Jose City by Minivan: $35
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport to Manuel Antonio by Minivan: $158
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Cahuita, English Speaking Driver: $240
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Limon, English Speaking Driver: $192
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Monteverde, English Speaking Driver: $180
- Direct transfer from San Jose to La Fortuna, English Speaking Driver: $153
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $135
- Juan Santamaria Intl Airport(SJO) to Puntarenas city-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $166
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan del Sur or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and San Juan del Sur 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 Juan del Sur $18San Jose $18
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 Juan del Sur $15San Jose $21
Tours and Activities in San Juan del Sur
Here are a few actual costs in San Juan del Sur for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA: $130
- Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Maderas, San Juan del Sur also in Costa Rica: $90
- Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur: $159
- SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $103
- San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour: $118
- atv tour also in Costa Rica: $132
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 Hacienda Orosi: $21
- Hiking Experience in El Quetzal Private Reserve: $26
- Visit a Butterfly Chapel, Gardens, Coffee Tour with Typical Lunch: $30
- Private Roasting and Cupping Coffee Experience: $30
- Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour: $31
- Poas Volcano National Park - Admission Ticket: $32
- 2-Hour Downtown San Jose Walking Tour: $33
- Private Custom Guided Tour in San Jose: $33
- 2-Hour Orosi Nocturnal Tour: $33
- San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees: $33
- San Jose Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Skip the Line: Rescate Wildlife Rescue Centre General Admission Ticket: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan del Sur $13San Jose $17
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 Juan del Sur and San Jose, we can see that San Jose is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Juan del Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan del Sur 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 San Juan del Sur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Juan del Sur Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan del Sur or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of San Juan del Sur and San Jose, 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 Juan del Sur or San Jose?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to San Juan del Sur as well as San Jose. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. San Juan del Sur receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Juan del Sur usually gets less rain in July than San Jose. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, San Juan del Sur often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose. San Juan del Sur gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
In July, San Juan del Sur is generally around the same temperature as San Jose. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 27°C (81°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and San Juan del Sur are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. It's quite rainy in San Juan del Sur. In October, San Juan del Sur usually receives less rain than San Jose. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
San Juan del Sur usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during autumn. San Juan del Sur gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and San Juan del Sur during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
San Juan del Sur usually gets less rain in January than San Jose. San Juan del Sur gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan del Sur. In the winter, San Juan del Sur often gets less sunshine than San Jose. San Juan del Sur gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.
In the winter, San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan del Sur in January average around 26°C (79°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan del Sur and San Jose. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, San Juan del Sur usually receives less rain than San Jose. San Juan del Sur gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. In San Juan del Sur, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan del Sur usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose during spring. San Juan del Sur gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, San Juan del Sur is generally around the same temperature as San Jose. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 29°C (84°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and San Juan del Sur
| San Juan del Sur | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.