Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Wellington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Wellington or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Wellington 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: Wellington or San Jose?
Wellington
Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, 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 dayWellington $104San Jose $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Wellington is $104, while the average daily cost in San Jose is $89. 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 Wellington and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWellington $61San Jose $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWellington $122San Jose $96
Compare Hotels in Wellington and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Wellington 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: Wellington Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Wellington $12San Jose $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wētā Workshop Experience with Guided Transfers: $61
- Wellington Airport Transfer to Wellington Hotels and Vice versa: $75
- Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer with Wellington Dial a Driver: $72
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $26
- Private Airport Transfer: $78
- Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
- Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
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$2.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- transfer from Juan Santamaria airport to Dominical and Uvita: $290
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Wellington or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Wellington 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 dayWellington $30San Jose $18
Typical Food Prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$9.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Food Tour Of Wellington: $151
- A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $185
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.Wellington $16San Jose $21
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 5 hour Wellington City Heights Shared tour: $90
- A Taste of Kapiti - Kapiti Foodie Delights Tour: $288
- From Cave to Coast Wellington Highlights Tour: $118
- From Source to Sea Remutaka Mountain Bike Cycle Tour: $103
- From Half-Day Foodie Tour of the Wairarapa: $106
- From Taste Buds Tour of Petone: $167
- Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour: $178
- Full Day Tour of Wellington: $178
- Full-Day Wellington Self-Guided Electric Bike Tour: $51
- Fully customizable tours: $148
- Guided Small Group Walking Tour in Wellington: $45
- Guided Wellington Sightseeing Tour by Electric Bike: $78
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 dayWellington $12San Jose $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour: $93
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $96
- 5 hour Martinborough shared Chefs Wine Tour with Gourmet lunch: $151
- Martinborough Full Day Wine Tour: $169
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $361
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 Wellington and San Jose, we can see that Wellington is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wellington is in Pacific 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 Wellington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wellington 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 Wellington Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Wellington or San Jose?
Wellington has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Wellington 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 Wellington or San Jose?
Wellington 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 Wellington or San Jose in the Summer?
Both San Jose and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Wellington is generally much colder than San Josein July. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 18°C (64°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wellington. Wellington usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Wellington gets 242 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 January, Wellington usually receives less rain than San Josein July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 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 January and JulyWellington 18°C (64°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Wellington or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Wellington during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Wellington in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Wellington is much colder than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
In the autumn, Wellington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Josein October. Wellington gets 163 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. Wellington usually gets less rain in April than San Josein October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 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 April and OctoberWellington 15°C (58°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Wellington or San Jose in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and San Jose. Most visitors come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Wellington is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wellington in July average around 10°C (49°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
Wellington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Wellington usually receives more rain than San Josein January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 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 July and JanuaryWellington 10°C (49°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Wellington or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Wellington as well as San Jose. The spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In October, Wellington is generally much colder than San Josein April. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 13°C (55°F), 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, Wellington often gets less sunshine than San Josein April. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Wellington usually gets more rain in October than San Josein April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 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 October and AprilWellington 13°C (55°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Wellington
| Wellington | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.