Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Vang Vieng?
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 Vang Vieng or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or San Jose? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Vang Vieng or San Jose?
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
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 Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesSan Jose Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19San Jose $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in San Jose is $103. 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 Vang Vieng and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25San Jose $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50San Jose $98
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng 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: Vang Vieng Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11San Jose $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared transfer from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang city: $20
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 from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Montezuma: $300
- San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Limon: Private Transfer : $299
- One-Way Private Transfer: SJO Airport to/from Uvita or Dominical: $290
- Private Transfer San Jose SJO Airport to Puerto Viejo by Minivan: $283
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Private Transfer SJO Airport to Puerto Viejo/Cahuita/Manzanillo: $271
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Monteverde: $270
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Manuel Antonio Quepos: $269
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Samara Beach: $265
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Cahuita, English Speaking Driver: $263
- Private Ground Transfer SJO - Monteverde: $256
- Private VIP Transfer from San Jose Airport to Fortuna (1-9 ppl): $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Vang Vieng 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 dayVang Vieng $11San Jose $31
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: $34
- San Jose By Night: Farm to Table Dinner, Cooking & Cocktail Class: $47
- San Jose Cooking Classes visit Central Market: $52
- Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour and National Museum : $65
- San Jose By Night: Sights & Culture Tour with Local Dinner : $80
- Dinner + Typical dance show at the best viewpoint in San José: $92
- Street Food Tour in San Jose with a Local Guide: $114
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76San Jose $21
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- 1 Day Guided Tour in Cave from Vang Vieng: $175
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour in Vang Vieng: $180
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike and Blue Lagoon Tour: $79
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Vang Vieng 1-Day Cave Exploration Tour with Guide: $175
- Vang Vieng Ballooning Adventures: $260
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- Vang Vieng Day Tour - Longtail boat, Paragliding: $175
- Vang Vieng Hot Air Balloon Experience and Longtail Boat: $137
- Vang Vieng Hot Air Balloon Kayak Zipline,Blue lagoon1 Tour: $148
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-Hour Orosi Nocturnal Tour: $33
- ATV Off Road Poas Volcano Adventure and Hiking for two persons.: $130
- AWA Water Museum - Waterfall Adventure (Organic Food Experience): $98
- Adventure Park: $190
- Adventure Zip Lining at the Cloud Forest from San José: $138
- 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 Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose: $159
- Arenal Volcano Hike and Hot Springs Tour from San Jose: $142
- Arenal Volcano and Baldi Hot Springs Full Day Tour from San Jose: $195
- Birding Watching tour from San José: $190
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11San Jose $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and San Jose, we can see that San Jose is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vang Vieng is in Asia 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 Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and San Jose. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
San Jose receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than San Jose. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Vang Vieng usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Vang Vieng is cooler than San Jose. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vang Vieng in July average around 22°C (72°F), and San Jose averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as San Jose. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
Also, December to April in San Jose is the dry season. Also, May to November in San Jose is the hurricane season. It's quite rainy in San Jose. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the autumn, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
In October, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than San Jose. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in San Jose. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
Vang Vieng is cooler than San Jose in the winter. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Vang Vieng during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
December to April is the dry season in San Jose. Also, the hurricane season in San Jose is May to November. It rains a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 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 Vang Vieng. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Vang Vieng is cooler than San Jose. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vang Vieng in April average around 23°C (73°F), and San Jose averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.