Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Edinburgh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and San Jose can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Edinburgh is a gothic, ancient, and charming city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Edinburgh is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include theater, nightlife, and live music. See Edinburgh travel costs.
San Jose is a bustling, authentic, and traditional city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See San Jose travel costs.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Edinburgh than San Jose. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Edinburgh is very popular for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, music, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while San Jose attracts visitors for its food. Edinburgh is more touristy than San Jose and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also well known for The Edinburgh Castle. San Jose is famous for its colorful markets and vibrant nightlife, as well as its easy access to the rest of the country.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Jose and Edinburgh. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Edinburgh is very popular for its museums and history. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.
Travelers visit Edinburgh from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.
San Jose offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Despite most people rushing through town, there are a number of museums, plazas, and interesting buildings that are worth checking out.
Edinburgh is a very popular place for theatre. However, San Jose is not a theatre destination.
Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.
San Jose is not a theatre destination.
San Jose is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.
San Jose has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Most people miss out on local cuisine during their time in Costa Rica, but the capital city offers the best opportunities to eat like a local. You can sample favorite local dishes such as chifrijo, gallo pinto, rondón, and casado. You should also wander through the Central Market and dine at one of the many local restaurants.
Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.
The high quality nightlife scene is relatively similar in Edinburgh and San Jose.
Edinburgh has a large number of nightlife venues. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.
San Jose is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.
Edinburgh is very popular for live music. However, San Jose is not a live music destination.
Edinburgh is known as a music capital around the world. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.
San Jose is not a live music destination.
Edinburgh is very popular for its historic old town. However, San Jose does not have a historic old town.
Edinburgh has a world-famous historical area. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.
San Jose does not have a historic old town.
Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Edinburgh and San Jose.
Edinburgh is well-known for its shopping. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.
Browsing through shops is a popular activity in San Jose. There are a number of unique things you can buy in the city including jewelry, handbags, and wood workings. Make sure you check out the Central Market.
Edinburgh is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, San Jose is not a destination known for its beauty.
Edinburgh is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It has a long history and a lot of architectural beauty. The weather may be the most challenging part of a visit to Edinburgh.
San Jose is not a destination known for its beauty.
Edinburgh is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.
Edinburgh is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.
San Jose doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Most people pass through the city quickly, but if you have a day or two to explore, you can visit the Children's Museum (Museo de los Niños), Spirogyra Butterfly Gardens, or explore the Central Market.
Edinburgh is a very popular place for romance. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.
Edinburgh makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.
Most people don't think of San Jose as a couple's destination. While Costa Rica is a popular honeymoon destination, the capital city is often overlooked for the beaches and rainforests around the country.
Edinburgh is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.
Many backpackers frequent Edinburgh. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.
San Jose is a great city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers appreciate the affordability of the city and the wide range of hostels that you can choose from. The city also offers an authentic glimpse of life in Costa Rica.
Edinburgh is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.
Edinburgh is a great city to visit as a student. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.
San Jose is popular with students. Many students come to Costa Rica to study the country's amazing environment and unique ecological systems. San Jose makes a good base as its easy to travel to other parts of this small country.
Visitors will find nice public transit in both Edinburgh and San Jose.
Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.
You'll find some public transit in San Jose, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses that travel through the city during the daytime hours.
Edinburgh is very popular for its walkability. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Edinburgh. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around
San Jose is a somewhat walkable place. It can feel a bit chaotic, but it's relatively easy to get around on foot.
For even more information, also check out Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is San Jose Worth Visiting?.
You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Edinburgh or San Jose to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Edinburgh than San Jose because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-2 days is enough time in San Jose.
Families should spend more time in Edinburgh than San Jose. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Edinburgh, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Edinburgh than San Jose. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Edinburgh that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than San Jose if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Edinburgh.
The beautiful city of Edinburgh offers theater and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
You'll find shopping and museums around the city of San Jose. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Jose has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Edinburgh is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Edinburgh, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of San Jose. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Edinburgh is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Edinburgh, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the bustling city of San Jose. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Edinburgh is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.
San Jose is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 2-Week Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Edinburgh is £171, while the average daily cost in San Jose is £77. 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 Edinburgh and San Jose in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Edinburgh 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Edinburgh:
Also for Edinburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Jose are as follows:
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Edinburgh 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.
For Edinburgh, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Edinburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For San Jose, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Edinburgh's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Edinburgh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Edinburgh from other travelers:
Also in Edinburgh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Edinburgh and San Jose, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Edinburgh is in Europe 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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.
Edinburgh has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Jose experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Both San Jose and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Edinburgh is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 14°C (58°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 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 July, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than San Jose. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both San Jose and Edinburgh during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Edinburgh is much colder than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Edinburgh gets 90 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. Edinburgh usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in San Jose. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in San Jose.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and San Jose. The museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Edinburgh in the winter. In the winter, Edinburgh is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Edinburgh in January average around 3°C (38°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than San Jose. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as San Jose. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In April, Edinburgh is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 7°C (45°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, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Edinburgh usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in San Jose is the dry season. Also, May to November in San Jose is the hurricane season.
Edinburgh | San Jose | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
May | 10°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
Jul | 14°C (58°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
Aug | 14°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
Oct | 10°C (49°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
Nov | 5°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |