Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Setubal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Setubal or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Setubal and San Jose can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Setubal or San Jose?
Setubal
Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.
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 Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Setubal Prices
Portugal PricesSan Jose Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySetubal €149San Jose €98
The average daily cost (per person) in Setubal is €149, while the average daily cost in San Jose is €98. 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 Setubal and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSetubal €59San Jose €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSetubal €118San Jose €92
Compare Hotels in Setubal and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Setubal 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: Setubal Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Setubal €54San Jose €18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal
Also for Setubal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sesimbra Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $56
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€24
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Local Bus€2.58
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 Montezuma: $300
- San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Limon: Private Transfer: $299
- Private Transfer: San José Apto to Puerto Viejo / Cahuita (Limón): $299
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Liberia: $297
- Private Transfer From San Jose to Cahuita With 2 Stops: $295
- One-Way Private Transfer: SJO Airport to/from Uvita or Dominical: $290
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $283
- Private Transfer San Jose SJO Airport to Puerto Viejo by Minivan: $281
- Private Transfer from SJO Airport to Tamarindo/Papagayo/Riu Hotel: $280
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Cahuita: $272
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Monteverde: $270
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Manuel Antonio Quepos: $269
Is it cheaper to fly into Setubal or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Setubal 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 daySetubal €60San Jose €29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Setubal
For Setubal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Evora Cooking Class & Wine Pairings in Fatima’s Home: $220
- Lisbon Getaway: Private Arrábida Wine & Food Tour: $236
- Authentic Evora Cooking Class with Wine in Chef Sofia’s Garden: $279
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 including Markets: $35
- Street Food Tour in San Jose with a Local Guide: $35
- San Jose By Night: Farm to Table Dinner & Cocktail Class: $49
- Tropical Cooking Classes: $52
- San José Market-to-Table Tour: Cooking Class with a Local Chef: $58
- Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup: $80
- San Jose By Night: Sights & Culture Tour with Local Dinner: $80
- Dinner + Typical dance show at the best viewpoint in San José: $92
- City Tour and Dinner at the Best Lookout in San Jose: $149
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Setubal €12San Jose €20
Tours and Activities in Setubal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.
- Évora Private Food and Wine Walking Tour in the UNESCO Old Town: $189
- Évora Private Walking Tour and Traditional Food Tasting: $183
- Évora Roman Legacy: Private walking tour with tickets: $100
- Évora Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.48
- Évora Walking Tour: Small Group Tour with Chapel of Bones Tickets: $58
- Évora or Montemor-o-Novo: Guided Tour to Escoural Caves: $29
- Évora: Private walking tour with tickets to main monuments: $103
- Évora: Private walking tour, By Local Guide: $73
- Adventure Circuit + Via Ferrata, Arrábida, Setúbal, near Lisbon: $65
- Arrabida Adventure Circuit: $77
- COMPORTA, Arrábida Adventure Coasteering Try Dive or Via Ferrata: $142
- Chã dos Navegantes Jeep Tour: $65
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 in 1 Volcano Irazu + San Jose City Tour: $187
- 3 Hour Painting Experience in Uvita: $80
- 3-Hour Downtown San Jose Walking Tour: $40
- AWA Water Museum - Waterfall Adventure (Organic Food Experience): $98
- Action Packed Class 4 Rafting Adventure: $95
- Adventure Zip Lining at the Cloud Forest from San José: $149
- Arcade and Mini Bowling Experience: $78
- Arenal Combo Experience: Canopy & Rapell + Thermals: $65
- Arenal Hanging Bridges and Hot Springs Private Tour from San Jose: $295
- Arenal Volcano & Baldi Hot Springs one day tour from San Jose: $199
- Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs Full-Day Tour from San José: $197
- Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs Private Tour from San José: $284
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySetubal €10San Jose €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:
- Half Day Wine Tour Around Evora: $153
Sample the Local Flavors in San Jose
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
- San Jose Exclusive Bar Crawl with Drinks and Club Entrys: $28
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $95
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Setubal and San Jose, we can see that Setubal is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Setubal is in Europe and San Jose is in Central 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 Setubal would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Setubal 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 Setubal Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Setubal or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Setubal. When comparing the sizes of Setubal 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 Setubal or San Jose?
Setubal 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 Setubal or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Setubal and San Jose. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Setubal is cooler than San Jose in the summer. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Setubal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Setubal usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Setubal gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
San Jose receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Setubal usually receives less rain than San Jose. Setubal gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySetubal 23°C (73°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Setubal or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Setubal as well as San Jose. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In the autumn, Setubal is cooler than San Jose. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Setubal in October average around 19°C (66°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Setubal this time of the year. In the autumn, Setubal often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Setubal gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Setubal usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Setubal gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in San Jose is the dry season. Also, the hurricane season in San Jose is May to November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSetubal 19°C (66°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Setubal or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Setubal are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Setubal is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 12°C (53°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in San Jose. Setubal usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Setubal gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Setubal. In January, Setubal usually receives more rain than San Jose. Setubal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySetubal 12°C (53°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Setubal or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Setubal during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Setubal is much colder than San Jose in the spring. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Setubal. In the spring, Setubal often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Setubal gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Setubal usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Setubal gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in San Jose. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in San Jose.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSetubal 16°C (60°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Setubal
| Setubal | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 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.