Which place is cheaper, San Jose or The Hague?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit The Hague 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 The Hague and San Jose can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: The Hague or San Jose?
The Hague
The Hague is a metropolitan city in the province of South Holland, where the Dutch government is located. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima currently reside there with their three children. The Hague is home to the U.N.'s International Court of Justice, as well as the International Criminal Court. It is the third largest city in the country, with a population of just over 500,000.
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 Luxury Tours to Netherlands, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, 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 dayThe Hague €178San Jose €85
The average daily cost (per person) in The Hague is €178, while the average daily cost in San Jose is €85. 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 The Hague and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personThe Hague €104San Jose €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomThe Hague €208San Jose €92
Compare Hotels in The Hague and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in The Hague 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: The Hague Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.The Hague €19San Jose €18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in The Hague
Also for The Hague, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Utrecht: Train Transfer Utrecht from/to Den Haag: $16
- Taxi Transfer from The Hague to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: $126
- Private Transfer from The Hague to Amsterdam: $137
- Private Transfer from The Hague City to Schiphol Airport : $137
- From One-Way Private Transfer to Schiphol Airport: $258
- Eindhoven: Train Transfer Eindhoven from/to Den Haag: $28
- Den Haag: Train Transfer Den Haag from/to Rotterdam: $8.29
- Amsterdam: Train Transfer Schiphol Airport from/to Den Haag: $20
- Amsterdam: Train Transfer Amsterdam from/to Den Haag: $17
- Amsterdam: Private Transfer to/from The Hague: $280
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:
- Transfers to Occidental Papagayo - Secrets Resort, Round-Trip: $130
- Transfer to Los Sueños Marriot Playa Herradura from San Jose or Airport: $215
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from SanJose Juan Santamaría Airport to SanJose City: $39
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Transfer from Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) to Quepos Cruise Port: $72
- Transfer TO & FROM SJO Airport to Esterillos - Bejuco Not Shared.: $180
- Transfer SJO Airport TO & FROM Dominical OR Uvita (One Way): $290
- Transfer Costa Rica SJO Airport To OR From Hotels nearby Private : $45
- Transfer Airport area to Manuel Antonio Hotels Private One Way: $185
- Transfer Airport Area to Jaco Hotels Private One Way Transport: $150
- Shuttle & transfer rides to Jaco beach: $137
- Shared transfer to Manuel Antonio: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into The Hague or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and The Hague 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 dayThe Hague €55San Jose €17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in The Hague
For The Hague, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- WALKING DINNER DELFT | 3 courses incl. 3 drinks and a lot of fun: $87
- WALKING DINNER ZOETERMEER | 3 courses + 3 drinks and a lot of fun: $87
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
- 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
- Dinner + Typical Show in the best viewpoint of the City: $99
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.The Hague €34San Jose €20
Tours and Activities in The Hague
For The Hague, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hours Walking Tour in Delft: $3.27
- 2 Hours Walking Tour in The Hague: $3.27
- Amsterdam: The Hague, Delft and Rotterdam Private Day Tour: $538
- Bicycle tour The Hague Highlights: $27
- Boattour The Hague and Scheveningen: $188
- Delft: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.29
- Den Haag: Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $74
- Discover Delft with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour!: $27
- Discover The Hague's city center with an Outside Escape game tour: $27
- Drive it yourself electric Dune & Summer Flower GPS audio tour: $97
- Drive it yourself electric History and Castle GPS audio tour: $97
- Drive it yourself electric Tulip and Flower Fields GPS audio tour: $139
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore San Jose on Foot: Food Delights and Sights Tour: $47
- Street Food Walking Tour in Downtown San Jose: $60
- 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 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
- Arenal Volcano Hike and Hot Springs Tour from San Jose: $142
- Arenal Volcano Horseback Riding & Baldi Hot Springs. Private Tour: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayThe Hague €30San Jose €16
Sample the Local Flavors in The Hague
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in The Hague:
- The Hague Pub Trail: Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
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 The Hague and San Jose, we can see that The Hague is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since The Hague 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 The Hague would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in The Hague 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 The Hague Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, The Hague or San Jose?
The Hague has a larger population, and is about 42% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of The Hague 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 The Hague or San Jose?
The Hague 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 The Hague or San Jose in the Summer?
Both San Jose and The Hague are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to The Hague this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The Hague is much colder than San Jose in the summer. The daily temperature in The Hague averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in The Hague. The Hague usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. The Hague gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In July, The Hague usually receives less rain than San Jose. The Hague gets 75 mm (3 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 JulyThe Hague 17°C (62°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit The Hague or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and The Hague during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to The Hague for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
In the autumn, The Hague is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the autumn temperatures in The Hague in October average around 11°C (51°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, The Hague often gets less sunshine than San Jose. The Hague gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. The Hague usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. The Hague gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberThe Hague 11°C (51°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit The Hague or San Jose in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both The Hague and San Jose. Many visitors come to The Hague in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The Hague can get quite cold in the winter. In January, The Hague is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in The Hague average around 2°C (36°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. The Hague usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. The Hague gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, The Hague usually receives more rain than San Jose. The Hague gets 66 mm (2.6 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 JanuaryThe Hague 2°C (36°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit The Hague or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to The Hague as well as San Jose. Most visitors come to The Hague for the activities around the city during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
The Hague is much colder than San Jose in the spring. The daily temperature in The Hague averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In the spring, The Hague often gets less sunshine than San Jose. The Hague gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
The Hague usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. The Hague gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilThe Hague 8°C (46°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and The Hague
| The Hague | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 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.