Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Valletta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Valletta or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Valletta and San Jose can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Valletta or San Jose?
Valletta
A harbor city and the capital city of the island of Malta, Valletta dates back to the 16th-century with a preserved architectural heritage that earned the city a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is best known for its museums, palaces, and churches.
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 Historical Tours in Malta, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta, 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 dayValletta €116San Jose €85
The average daily cost (per person) in Valletta is €116, 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 Valletta and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personValletta €65San Jose €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomValletta €130San Jose €92
Compare Hotels in Valletta and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Valletta 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: Valletta Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Valletta €24San Jose €18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valletta
Also for Valletta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Valletta Cruise Port to Malta Intl Airport (MLA) - Departure Private Transfer : $14
- Turkish Gullet Cruise to Gozo and Comino with Lunch and Transfers: $81
- The Three Fortified Cities of Malta Half Day Tour Incl. Boat Trip and Transfers: $39
- Temples Tour (Pick-up, Transfer, Tickets & Drop-off Included): $235
- Private Transfer: Valletta to Malta International Airport (MLA): $31
- Private Transfer from Valletta Cruise Port to Malta Airport (MLA): $14
- Private Transfer from Malta Airport (MLA) to Valletta Cruise Port: $14
- Private Airport Transfer: Malta International Airport (MLA) to Valletta: $31
- Private Airport Transfer in Malta: $88
- Private Airport Transfer from Malta to Gozo: $109
- Mdina and Highlights of Malta Full Day Guided Tour Incl. Lunch and Transfers: $67
- Malta Private Transfer from Malta Airport to any resort in Malta island: $51
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 Valletta or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Valletta 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 dayValletta €32San Jose €17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valletta
For Valletta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Valletta Food Tour - Eat like a local: $46
- Valletta Food Tour: $49
- Folklore Evening Dinner Show at a Traditional Maltese Restaurant Incl. Transfers: $67
- Maltese Traditional Dinner and Folklore Show with Transfers: $71
- Fireworks Festival Cruise Including Dinner, Drinks and Transport: $77
- The Ultimate Valletta Evening Food Tour: $81
- Fernandes Sunset Cruise including Dinner with Open Bar: $81
- Christmas Tour in Gozo (afternoon) inc. Dinner: $87
- Blue Lagoon & Sunset Quad Tour in Gozo/Dinner: $101
- From Blue Lagoon and Gozo Tour w/Quads and Dinner: $118
- The Valletta Food Tour Experience, a private tour: $150
- Private Valletta Food Tour: $175
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.Valletta €27San Jose €20
Tours and Activities in Valletta
For Valletta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Cities Tour: $16
- 3 Hours Private Picnic Experience in Malta: $273
- 3 cities: Private Insider Walking Tour with Licensed Guide: $161
- 30-Minute Mdina Experience Audio-Visual Show Ticket (Open Ticket): $6.55
- 4-hr day tour around Malta: $208
- 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Pass Bus + Harbour Cruise: $55
- 90 minutes Harbour Cruise in Valletta - ticket only: $22
- A Monumental Maltese Experience: $175
- Adventures in Malta: Thrills, History, and Natural Beauty: $322
- An Insider's Malta VIP Tour: $162
- Best of Mdina and Rabat Walking Tour: $20
- Best of Valletta Walking Tour: $20
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 dayValletta €16San Jose €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Valletta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Valletta:
- Valletta Pub Crawl: $22
- Malta Pub Crawl: $22
- The Brewery Experience Self-Guided Tour with Tasting & Transport: $35
- The Brewery Experience & beer tasting including transport: $35
- Malta: The Three Cities and Wine Tasting Tour: $44
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 Valletta and San Jose, we can see that Valletta is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Valletta 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 Valletta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valletta 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 Valletta Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Valletta or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta 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 Valletta or San Jose?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Valletta or San Jose in the Summer?
Both San Jose and Valletta are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta 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. In July, Valletta usually receives less rain than San Jose. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Valletta is around the same temperature as San Jose. Typically, the summer temperatures in Valletta in July average around 26°C (79°F), and San Jose averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyValletta 26°C (79°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Valletta or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Valletta during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Valletta usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the autumn, Valletta often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
In October, Valletta is generally cooler than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 21°C (70°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberValletta 21°C (70°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Valletta or San Jose in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and San Jose. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Valletta usually receives more rain than San Jose. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. Valletta usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
Valletta is much colder than San Jose in the winter. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryValletta 13°C (55°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Valletta or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Valletta as well as San Jose. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
Valletta usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as San Jose. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valletta this time of the year. In the spring, Valletta often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Valletta is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the spring temperatures in Valletta in April average around 16°C (61°F), and San Jose averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilValletta 16°C (61°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Valletta
| Valletta | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 110 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.