Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Foz do Iguacu?
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 Foz do Iguacu 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.
Foz do Iguacu is a scenic, breathtaking, and spectacular park. Foz do Iguacu is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping. See Foz do Iguacu travel costs.
San Jose is a authentic, traditional, and colorful city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See San Jose travel costs.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Foz do Iguacu. Although Foz do Iguacu and San Jose are popular destinations, Foz do Iguacu has more sights and attractions for tourists. Foz do Iguacu is very popular for its hiking and impressive beauty, while San Jose attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities. Foz do Iguacu is more touristy than San Jose and is popular for its spectacular beauty and incredible volume of water. It is also well known for Iguacu National Park. 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 Foz do Iguacu. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
San Jose is a city with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, Foz do Iguacu is a park with minimal options for its historical sights.
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.
While most people don't head to Foz do Iguacu specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a handful of museums and nature parks in and near town.
Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Foz do Iguacu and San Jose.
Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Foz do Iguacu. You'll find a variety of restaurants around town where you can sample the regional cuisine. A popular item on the menus is Surubí (a local river fish). Also make sure you try the Mbeyú (fried bread), and paraguayan soup (more like bread than an actual soup).
San Jose is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.
San Jose is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Foz do Iguacu is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.
The people in San Jose know how to have a good time. 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.
If you're looking for night time activities Foz do Iguacu has a few options to choose from. Head to the intersection of Avenida JK and Avenida Jorge Schimmelpfeng for the most lively nightlife scene in town. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of restaurants and bars, many with outdoor areas or live music.
Foz do Iguacu is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, San Jose is not a hiking destination.
Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Foz do Iguacu. There's a network of trails and walkways at the foot of the falls as well as above the falls. You can also venture into the surrounding rainforest or hike to Devil's Throat for a great view.
San Jose is not a hiking destination.
San Jose is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Foz do Iguacu is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.
San Jose is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.
Foz do Iguacu has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's shopping in the center of town, particularly around Avenida Brasil, Rua Barbosa, Rua Almirante Barroso, and Quintino Bocaiuva.
Foz do Iguacu is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, San Jose is not a destination known for its beauty.
Foz do Iguacu is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The falls is absolutely breathtaking. The volume of water and enormity in size is something that you can only experience in person.
San Jose is not a destination known for its beauty.
Foz do Iguacu is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.
Foz do Iguacu is a very family-friendly destination. Of course, the highlight for everyone is a visit to Iguacu National Park, which also offers boat rides, hiking, and spectacular views. In addition to this impressive park, the whole family will also enjoy a visit to Parque das Aves, which is a bird park that includes information on wildlife species and conservation.
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.
Foz do Iguacu is a very popular place for romance. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.
Foz do Iguacu makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While the town itself has limited entertainment, the waterfalls is a spectacular sight that has inspired more than a few marriage proposals.
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.
Foz do Iguacu and San Jose are high quality places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Foz do Iguacu is a great park to visit for backpackers. This is one of the country's most popular backpacker destinations so you'll find plenty of hostels and young travelers to hang out with. The falls itself is truly incredible and well worth the trip.
Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit San Jose. 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.
San Jose is a city with good options for students. However, Foz do Iguacu is not popular with students.
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.
Foz do Iguacu is not popular with students.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Foz do Iguacu and San Jose.
You'll find some public transit in Foz do Iguacu, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. It's 12 miles between the park and the town so you'll need to take either a taxi or a public bus. On your way to the park, you should arrange for a ride back because finding a taxi as you leave can be challenging.
While San Jose offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are local buses that travel through the city during the daytime hours.
San Jose is a city with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Foz do Iguacu is a park with minimal options for its ease of walking around.
San Jose is a somewhat walkable place. It can feel a bit chaotic, but it's relatively easy to get around on foot.
Foz do Iguacu is generally not a very walkable park. There are walkways near the waterfalls, but the city isn't particularly walkable and you'll need transportation to travel between the park and the town.
For even more information, also check out Is Foz do Iguacu Worth Visiting? and Is San Jose Worth Visiting?.
You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Foz do Iguacu or San Jose to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Foz do Iguacu than San Jose because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Foz do Iguacu, and 1-2 days is enough time in San Jose.
Families should spend more time in Foz do Iguacu than San Jose. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Foz do Iguacu, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Foz do Iguacu than San Jose. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Foz do Iguacu that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Jose than Foz do Iguacu 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 San Jose.
The beautiful park of Foz do Iguacu offers nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.
Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of San Jose. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.
Foz do Iguacu is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Jose. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.
Foz do Iguacu is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colorful destination of San Jose. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.
Foz do Iguacu is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This park offers something for everyone.
You'll find food and shopping around the city of San Jose. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, 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 Foz do Iguacu is $79, 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 Foz do Iguacu and San Jose in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Foz do Iguacu 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:
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 Foz do Iguacu 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Foz do Iguacu.
For San Jose, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few actual costs in Foz do Iguacu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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 Foz do Iguacu from other travelers:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Foz do Iguacu and San Jose, we can see that San Jose is more expensive. And not only is Foz do Iguacu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Foz do Iguacu is in South America 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 Foz do Iguacu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Foz do Iguacu Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Foz do Iguacu. When comparing the sizes of Foz do Iguacu 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.
Foz do Iguacu has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Jose experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
The summer brings many poeple to Foz do Iguacu as well as San Jose. Most visitors come to Foz do Iguacu for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In January, Foz do Iguacu is generally around the same temperature as San Josein July. Daily temperatures in Foz do Iguacu average around 27°C (81°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Foz do Iguacu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Foz do Iguacu usually gets less rain in January than San Josein July. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both San Jose and Foz do Iguacu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Foz do Iguacu because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Foz do Iguacu is cooler than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Foz do Iguacu averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In April, Foz do Iguacu usually receives less rain than San Josein October. Foz do Iguacu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in San Jose is December to April. The hurricane season in San Jose is May to November.
Both San Jose and Foz do Iguacu during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Foz do Iguacu this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
In the winter, Foz do Iguacu is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in July average around 18°C (64°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
Foz do Iguacu usually gets more rain in July than San Josein January. Foz do Iguacu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Foz do Iguacu and San Jose. Many travelers come to Foz do Iguacu for the natural beauty. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Foz do Iguacu is generally cooler than San Josein April. Daily temperatures in Foz do Iguacu average around 24°C (75°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Foz do Iguacu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Foz do Iguacu usually receives more rain than San Josein April. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. December to April in San Jose is the dry season. May to November is the hurricane season in San Jose.
Foz do Iguacu | San Jose | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
May | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |