Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Yangshuo?
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 Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo and San Jose can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Yangshuo or San Jose?
Yangshuo
A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.
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 Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Yangshuo Prices
China PricesSan Jose Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangshuo $86San Jose $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $86, 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 Yangshuo and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangshuo $26San Jose $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangshuo $52San Jose $98
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo 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: San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangshuo $43San Jose $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $56
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $67
- Private Yangshuo Transfer from Hotel to Longji terraces Hotel: $96
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
- Private One Way Transfer Service to Guilin City Hotel or Airport from Yangshuo: $48
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Private Airport Transfer: Yangshuo Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang Airport: $45
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $62
- Guilin: Li River Cruise with Transfer to Yangshuo: $80
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
- San Jose to Guanacaste: Private Transfer : $299
- Private Transfer From San Jose to Cahuita With 2 Stops: $298
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Liberia: $297
- Transfer one way from San Jose or Airport to Hotel RIU Guanacaste : $295
- Private Transfer San Jose SJO Airport to Puerto Viejo by Minivan: $283
- Private Transfer: San José Apto to Puerto Viejo / Cahuita (Limón): $280
- Private One Way Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $280
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Private Transfer: San José Airport to Puerto Viejo / Cahuita : $275
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Cahuita: $272
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Yangshuo 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 dayYangshuo $33San Jose $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Yangshuo Cooking Class with Market Trip: $45
- Full-day Cultural Experience: Taichi, Cooking & Painting Lessons: $100
- The impression Liu sanjie show and local dinner in town : $145
- Combo Impression Sanjie Liu Show and Authentic Cooking Experience: $199
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
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: $29
- San Jose Cooking Classes visit Central Market: $52
- San Jose By Night: Farm to Table Dinner, Cooking & Cocktail Class: $59
- Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup: $78
- 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: $113
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangshuo $24San Jose $21
Tours and Activities in Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
- Yangshuo Helicopter Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $170
- 1-Day Guilin City Tour and Ends of Longji Rice Terraces from Yangshuo: $218
- 1-Day Private Yangshuo Bicycle Tour along Ten-Mile Gallery: $119
- 1-Day Terracotta Warriors Tour from Beijing/Chengdu/Shanghai: $497
- All Inclusive Private Hiking Tour in Yangshuo: $84
- Day Tour in Yangshuo and Li River: $155
- Enchanting Li River & Beyond: Cruise, Peaks & Panorama: $293
- Entry Ticket to Liu San Jie Impression Show: $71
- From Guilin: 6-Day Yangtze River Cruise with Excursions: $1,299
- From Guilin: Yangshuo Rock-climbing & River-tracing Tour: $282
- From Xingping River-tracing Half Day Private Tour: $102
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 in 1 Volcano Irazu + San Jose City Tour: $187
- 2-Hour Orosi Nocturnal Tour: $33
- 3-Hour Downtown San Jose Walking Tour: $40
- A taste of Aquiares - 2 hours Coffee Tour: $42
- ATV Off Road Poas Volcano Adventure and Hiking for two persons.: $130
- Action Packed Class 4 Rafting Adventure : $95
- Adventure Park: $190
- Adventure Zip Lining at the Cloud Forest from San José: $138
- Airtime Zipline Adventure in Arenal: $60
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangshuo $34San Jose $16
Sample the Local Flavors in San Jose
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
- Exclusive Pub Crawl in San Jose : $30
- Bar Crawl in Downtown San Jose: $39
- 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 Yangshuo and San Jose, we can see that San Jose is more expensive. And not only is Yangshuo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangshuo Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangshuo or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Yangshuo. When comparing the sizes of Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo or San Jose?
Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and San Jose. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Yangshuo is generally around the same temperature as San Jose. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 30°C (86°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
San Jose receives a lot of rain in the summer. Yangshuo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than San Jose. Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 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 JulyYangshuo 30°C (86°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as San Jose. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
Yangshuo is cooler than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Yangshuo usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in San Jose is the dry season. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in San Jose.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberYangshuo 23°C (73°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Yangshuo is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Yangshuo in January average around 10°C (49°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In January, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than San Jose. Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 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 JanuaryYangshuo 10°C (49°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Yangshuo during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
In April, Yangshuo is generally cooler than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 20°C (68°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yangshuo. Yangshuo usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in San Jose. Also, May to November in San Jose is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilYangshuo 20°C (68°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Yangshuo
| Yangshuo | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.