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San Jose is a traditional city known for its colorful markets and vibrant nightlife, as well as its easy access to the rest of the country. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.
How much does it cost to travel to San Jose?
A typical traveler spends $127 (₡64,448) per day on a trip to San Jose. This is the average daily price for a vacation in San Jose based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $36 (₡18,143) on meals
- $11 (₡5,641) on local transportation
- $166 (₡84,469) on hotels
A one-week trip to San Jose for two people costs, on average, $1,777 (₡902,272). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per day$127₡64,448
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One Week Per person$888₡451,136
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2 Weeks Per person$1,777₡902,272
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One Month Per person$3,807₡1,933,440
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One Week For a couple$1,777₡902,272
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2 Weeks For a couple$3,553₡1,804,544
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One Month For a couple$7,614₡3,866,880
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to San Jose cost?
A one week trip to San Jose usually costs around $888 (₡451,136) for one person and $1,777 (₡902,272) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to San Jose on average costs around $1,777 (₡902,272) for one person and $3,553 (₡1,804,544) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in San Jose will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to San Jose on average costs around $3,807 (₡1,933,440) for one person and $7,614 (₡3,866,880) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is San Jose expensive to visit?
In San Jose, budget travelers spend $53 (₡26,840) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $127 (₡64,448) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $301 (₡152,010) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to San Jose.
San Jose is a smaller destination that attracts travelers with diverse styles, spending habits, and budgetary preferences. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
San Jose can certainly rack up expenses, but there are strategies to minimize costs, including eating at less expensive restaurants and taking public transit.
Within Central America, San Jose is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Central America for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, San Jose is generally more expensive than most.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is San Jose Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to San Jose?
The average San Jose trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these San Jose travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to San Jose cost?
San Jose on a Budget
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Accommodation1
For 1 person in double occupancy |
$34
(₡17,020) |
$83
(₡42,234) |
$201
(₡101,941) |
| Local Transportation1 |
$4
(₡2,219) |
$11
(₡5,641) |
$28
(₡14,405) |
| Food2 |
$15
(₡7,460) |
$36
(₡18,143) |
$82
(₡41,617) |
| Alcohol2 |
$1-2
(₡422-1,266) |
$1-2
(₡422-1,266) |
$1-2
(₡422-1,266) |
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Setting realistic expectations for your travel budget is important. Many people think they can visit San Jose on a tight budget, but most travelers aren't comfortable with a low "shoestring" budget. Think about what you enjoy during your vacations and how you typically travel. Do you prefer resorts, vacation rentals, or hostels? Do you want to visit museums, sights, and participate in activities? Is dining out a priority? These factors will shape both your budget and your itinerary.
What is a budget traveler, anyway?
While you might think you're a budget traveler, without giving up many of your usual comforts, you'll likely need to spend more than the $53 per day that backpackers often spend.
Backpackers often work within this tight budget by staying in hostel dorms, eating fast food or street food, using public transit, and mainly visiting free attractions.
Thankfully, San Jose is filled with plenty of hostels, such as Stray Cat Hostel, Socialtel San Jose, and Capital Hostel de Ciudad. Staying in these hostels means you can enjoy low-cost dorm accommodation and a fun social atmosphere, although amenities may be basic.
Are You Considered an Average Traveler?
If you're a couple or a family on a fun getaway, you might want to choose a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at well-liked restaurants, and visit the key museums and attractions that come with entry fees. Most travelers to San Jose will be eager to explore the key attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. Most activities are not free, after all. Therefore, it's realistic to plan on a daily budget of about $127 per person, per day.
Want to Escape the Daily Grind in Style?
If you're looking for a higher-end vacation filled with high-end amenities and exceptional service, plan for a daily expense of approximately $301. Staying at nicer hotels, savoring meals at top-rated restaurants, splurging on lavish outings, and utilizing taxis or private drivers in the city means you'll need a more luxurious budget.
Accommodation Budget in San Jose
Hotel prices in San Jose can vary significantly. Some hotels charge much higher rates but also offer more luxury and better amenities. During peak season, these prices rise even more. In the off-season, the average room costs around $, while in peak winter season it jumps to an average of $. Budget accommodations range from $ to $, but hostels are usually cheaper, especially in dorm rooms. Save money by traveling during the low or shoulder seasons, or by booking in advance and watching for deals.
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in San Jose for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $166 (₡84,469). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $83 (₡42,234) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
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Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person$83₡42,234
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Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room$166₡84,469
Hotels in San Jose
Looking for a hotel in San Jose? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Tips to Save Money on Accommodation in San Jose
Thanks to San Jose's great public transit, staying outside the city is an option to save on accommodation, but be prepared for the trade-off of extra transportation costs.
Choosing to travel outside of winter and in the low or shoulder season will give you lower hotel prices and less tourist congestion.
Recommended Properties
Transportation Budget in San Jose
San Jose has a solid public transit system that covers many major attractions. There's a very comprehensive bus system through the city. If you're looking to save time and money, public transit is a great choice as long as it's close to your destination. Taxis and rideshares are also available throughout town.
San Jose has walkable areas that can facilitate your exploration of various attractions. Stay downtown and you'll be able to walk to most of the area's attractions. There are also some pedestrian streets to explore.
Public Transit: 
(good)
Walkability: (good)
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $11 (₡5,641) per person, per day, on local transportation in San Jose. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in San Jose is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.$11₡5,641
Flights to San Jose
How much does it cost to go to San Jose? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
Rental Cars in San Jose
The price of renting a car in San Jose will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in San Jose
While the cuisine in San Jose is enjoyable, there are other things that usually bring in visitors. Still, you can discover some wonderful spots around the city. Like elsewhere in Costa Rica, you'll find lots of rice and beans in your dishes. Gallo pinto and casado are both very popular. Make sure you check out the Central Market while you're in town.
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in San Jose can vary significantly, the average cost of food in San Jose is $36 (₡18,143) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2 Meals for one day$36₡18,143
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in San Jose is around $36 (₡18143) per person, with previous travelers spending from $15 to $82. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in San Jose are as follows:
- Breakfast: $4 to $11
- Lunch: $5 to $14
- Dinner: $11 to $25
- Coffee: $3
- Fast Food or Street Food: $5
Food & Dining Tips
Many accommodations throw in breakfast at no extra cost, though others might charge you for it. The price and quality can greatly vary by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you figure out if you need to spend more money. You might find the hotel's buffet is worth it, or you may prefer to grab a cheaper bite at a local bakery or cafe.
Opt for a water bottle instead of constantly buying drinks. It's not only convenient but also eco-friendly.
Before you head out on a tour, be sure to find out which meals are included. You could end up paying for some meals out of pocket, which can impact your budget.
Nightlife Budget in San Jose
The nightlife in San Jose is vibrant and lively, with visitors reveling in evenings spent at local bars, clubs, and parties. This city has the best nightlife in all of Costa Rica. You'll find a diversity of clubs and bars that are fun to explore. Check out the reggae bars, dance clubs, and sports bars (where you can enjoy a soccer game) while you're in town.
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $1.66 (₡844) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in San Jose per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2 Drinks for one day$1.66₡844
Nightlife Tips
While nightlife can be a blast, skipping a few rounds can significantly lower your travel expenses.
When enjoying the nightlife, stay alert and cautious, as you may attract the attention of pickpockets or other criminals. It's best to stay with a group of people you trust.
Travel cost data last updated: Aug 16, 2025
Budgeting and Travel Tips for San Jose
- Prices usually spike during peak season in winter, and the city tends to be quite busy. To save some cash and steer clear of the crowds, consider visiting during the shoulder or low seasons instead.
- By taking a slower approach to travel, you can enjoy the local beauty while saving money. When you jam-pack your schedule with activities, your expenses can skyrocket. But if you allow yourself to relax and take in the sights, you might find you're spending less overall.
Budgeting Challenges
- When traveling with young kids, opting for a private vehicle or taxi is likely on your agenda. It's often easier to avoid the headaches of public transportation, though it may cost you a little extra.
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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.
1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.
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.