Is San Jose Expensive?

Is San Jose expensive to visit?

San Jose is a popular destination that is also moderately priced. It falls in the middle range of travel cost prices globaly with a daily average travel cost of $90. If we compare it to the rest of Central America, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It ranks in the top 50% of cities in Central America for its travel costs. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Copan and Santa Elena.

National Theatre of Costa Rica, San Jose

How expensive is San Jose?

Travelers spend an average of $90 per day when visiting San Jose (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for San Jose here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to San Jose?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to San Jose costs around $270 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $541.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to San Jose?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to San Jose will cost around $631 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $1,262.

Is it expensive to backpack in San Jose?

With more than 20 hostels around town, San Jose is a very popular backpacker destination. Hostels usually cost around $14 per night. There's a wide range in prices though, with the cheapest beds costing about $5 and the most expensive rooms costing about $25. (See hostel prices in San Jose here.)

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in San Jose.

• $12 for a dorm bed at Costa Rica Backpackers
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• $11 for a dorm bed at Stray Cat Hostel
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• $15 for a dorm bed at Selina San Jose
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Are hotels expensive in San Jose?

Examining hotel prices in San Jose, we can see that they are very affordable when compared to hotels in other cities. The average cost for a night in a hotel room is approximately $57. The city is equipped with about 2 five-star hotels, boasting an average nightly rate of $76. For travelers aiming for a comfortable yet budget-conscious stay, three-star hotels come in at an average of $68 per night, while two-star hotels offer a more pocket-friendly choice at $30 per night.

How expensive are sightseeing activities in San Jose?

In San Jose, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $21 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $32.

• White Water Rafting Canyoning Combo Maquique Adventure: $165
• Horseback our Hacienda - 4 hours Coffee Tour: $65
• Queveri Horseback Riding Tours: $65
• Kayak Jungle Tour - Sarapiquí River - Costa Rica: $75
• Full-Day Bajos del Toro Hiking Experience: $230
• Awesome Class 3 Balsa River Rafting 5-Hour Tour in La Fortuna: $90
• Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Day tour: $119
• Small Group Cultural Walking Tour in San Jose Costa Rica: $42

Is food expensive in San Jose?

In San Jose, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $18 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $25.

• Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $179
• 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
• Explore San Jose By Night: Food and Culture Tour with Local Dinner: $80
• Tropical Cooking Classes: $52

Is transportation expensive in San Jose?

Local transportation in San Jose can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $20 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $26. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

More for San Jose

If you're planning a trip to San Jose, Costa Rica, check out these other informative travel guides.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.