Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Valencia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Valencia or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Valencia or San Jose, 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: Valencia or San Jose?
Valencia
Valencia is a port city that sits on Spain's southeastern Orange Blossom coast, where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea. As the nation's third-largest city, it is continually innovative in the arts and sciences with some futuristic architecture including a planetarium, oceanarium, and an interactive museum. The nightlife and daytime culture both thrive in their own ways, bustling with limitless opportunities for sight-seeing and entertainment. While the city is surrounded by fertile farmland, its center is a modern metropolis, skirted by beautiful beaches.
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 G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, 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 dayValencia €123San Jose €85
The average daily cost (per person) in Valencia is €123, 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 Valencia and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personValencia €58San Jose €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomValencia €116San Jose €92
Compare Hotels in Valencia and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Valencia 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: Valencia Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Valencia €18San Jose €18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valencia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valencia:
- Roundtrip Transfer to Tabarca Island: $48
- Private transfer from Valencia Airport to Alicante: $202
- One-Way Boat Transfer to/from Port Saplaya: $13
- Valencia to Valencia Airport (VLC) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Valencia Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Valencia hotels: $121
- Valencia Cruise Port to Valencia hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $74
- Valencia City, Airport, Cruise Terminal Private Transfer: $88
- Valencia Airport (VLC): Transfer to Valencia Cruise Port: $240
- Valencia Airport (VLC): Private Transfer to Valencia: $121
- Valencia Airport (VLC) to Valencia Round-Trip Privat Transfer: $59
- Valencia Airport (VLC) Departure Transfer (Valencia Hotels to Valencia Airport): $83
- Valencia Airport (VLC) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Valencia Hotel or Address): $83
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 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 to Manuel Antonio by Minivan: $158
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Monteverde, English Speaking Driver: $181
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $136
- Juan Santamaria Intl Airport(SJO) to Puntarenas city-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $167
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Puntarenas city- Arrival Private Transfer: $83
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $64
- One way Transfer from SJO airport or San José to Playa Dominical max 5 passenger: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Valencia or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Valencia 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 dayValencia €40San Jose €17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valencia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valencia.
- Flamenco at Toro y La Luna with Drinks or Dinner: $19
- Hard Rock Cafe Entrance with Lunch or Dinner: $32
- Traditional Spanish Home Dinner: $48
- Valencia Traditional Food Tour: $51
- Guided Food Tour with Chocolate Tasting Experience: $54
- Street Food Tour including Paella & Tapas Tasting: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience near the center of Valencia: $59
- Morning Food Tour with Central Market Visit: $64
- Cooking Class of traditional spanish food: $65
- Vegetable Paella cooking class, tapas and visit market: $66
- Valencian Paella cooking class, Tapas and Market Visit: $66
- Flamenco Show with Dinner at La Bulería: $70
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.Valencia €29San Jose €20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Valencia
Here are a few typical costs in Valencia for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Flamenco Tour€16
Tours and Activities in Valencia
Here are a few actual costs in Valencia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hour Private Bike Tour in Valencia: $27
- 3 Hours Valencia City Bike Tour with a Tasty Surprise: $35
- 3hs-Hour Guided City Sightseeing and Beaches Bike Private Tour: $38
- A day tour in Montanejos hot springs.: $97
- Adventure Jetski: $156
- Adventures day: Thermal Springs and Waterfalls: $104
- Albufera Natural Park Tour with Boat Ride from Valencia : $64
- Alicante: 8-hour cruise to Tabarca Island by private boat: $1,076
- Anna: amazing water canyoning experience: $96
- Authentic Tapas Tour Through Valencia City Center: $74
- Between Two Gates: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Valencia: $7.99
- Bike Grand Valencia Group Tour: $38
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 Farm of Hacienda Orosi: $11
- Entrance ticket to the Hacienda Orosi: $21
- Hiking Experience in El Quetzal Private Reserve: $26
- Private Roasting and Cupping Coffee Experience: $30
- Sarapiqui Frog Tour: $30
- Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour: $31
- Poas Volcano National Park - Admission Ticket: $32
- San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees: $33
- Skip the Line: Rescate Wildlife Rescue Centre General Admission Ticket: $35
- San Jose Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- San Jose ART Walking Tour - small groups, creative experience: $35
- Corso Lecheria Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayValencia €20San Jose €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Valencia
Also in Valencia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Guided Pub Crawl with Free Shots: $13
- Pub Crawl Tour in the Old town of Valencia: $17
- Pub Crawl With Free Shots: $25
- Wine Tasting with Professional Sommelier in centre Valencia: $59
- From Guided Cheese Factory Tour with Wine Tasting: $91
- Local Tapas & Wine tasting experience: $91
- Wine Tasting and Tapas Experience: $102
- Cheese Factory Workshop with Wine Tasting in Requena, Valencia: $108
- From Requena Wine Tour with Tastings: $124
- Small Group - Half-Day Wine Tour: $126
- Two wineries tour with wine tasting : $131
- Christmas Tapas and Wine Tour in Valencia: $164
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 Valencia and San Jose, we can see that Valencia is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Valencia 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 Valencia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valencia 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 Valencia Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Valencia or San Jose?
Valencia has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Valencia 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 Valencia or San Jose?
Valencia 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 Valencia or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Valencia as well as San Jose. The summer months attract visitors to Valencia because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In July, Valencia is generally cooler than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Valencia average around 25°C (76°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valencia this time of the year. In the summer, Valencia often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Valencia gets 303 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Valencia usually gets less rain in July than San Jose. Valencia gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyValencia 25°C (76°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Valencia or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Valencia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Valencia this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Valencia is cooler than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Valencia averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Valencia usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during autumn. Valencia gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In October, Valencia usually receives less rain than San Jose. Valencia gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberValencia 19°C (66°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Valencia or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Valencia during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Valencia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
In the winter, Valencia is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Valencia in January average around 12°C (53°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Valencia often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Valencia gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.
Valencia usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Valencia gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryValencia 12°C (53°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Valencia or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Valencia and San Jose. Many visitors come to Valencia in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Valencia is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Valencia average around 15°C (60°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. In Valencia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valencia usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during spring. Valencia gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Valencia usually receives more rain than San Jose. Valencia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilValencia 15°C (60°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Valencia
| Valencia | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (76°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 45 mm (1.8 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.