A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Frankfurt vs. San Jose for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt and San Jose can help you decide which place is right for you.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a energetic, dynamic, and diverse city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Frankfurt travel costs.

San Jose

San Jose is a bustling, authentic, and traditional city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See San Jose travel costs.

Frankfurt and San Jose: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Frankfurt or San Jose?

You'll generally find more things to do in Frankfurt than San Jose. Frankfurt is bigger than San Jose, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Frankfurt is more touristy than San Jose and is known for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. Also, Frankfurt is famous for The Old Town Center. San Jose is well known for its colorful markets and vibrant nightlife, as well as its easy access to the rest of the country.

The Old Town Center

How is Frankfurt different from San Jose?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Jose and Frankfurt. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Frankfurt or San Jose?

Frankfurt is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Frankfurt can be an interesting and educational experience. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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.

Is the Food Better in Frankfurt or San Jose? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Frankfurt is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Frankfurt. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in San Jose. 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.

Is Frankfurt or San Jose Better for Nightlife?

Both Frankfurt and San Jose have excellent vibes after the sun sets.

Frankfurt has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

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.

Is Frankfurt or San Jose Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, San Jose does not have a historic old town.

Frankfurt is a good destination for visiting its old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

San Jose does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Frankfurt or San Jose?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Frankfurt and San Jose.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Frankfurt. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

San Jose is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Frankfurt or San Jose Better for Families?

Frankfurt is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Frankfurt is a very family-friendly destination. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

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.

Is Frankfurt or San Jose Better for Couples?

Frankfurt is a nice place to visit for romance. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

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.

Is Frankfurt or San Jose Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt and San Jose are both excellent destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Is Frankfurt or San Jose Better for Students?

Frankfurt is very popular for its student-friendly activities. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Frankfurt is a great destination for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

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.

Is Frankfurt or San Jose Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Frankfurt is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Frankfurt has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

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.

Is Frankfurt or San Jose a more walkable city?

Frankfurt is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, San Jose is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Frankfurt is very walkable. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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 Frankfurt Worth Visiting? and Is San Jose Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Jose or Frankfurt?

How long in Frankfurt or San Jose?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Frankfurt or San Jose to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Frankfurt than San Jose because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Frankfurt, and 1-2 days is enough time in San Jose.

Families should spend more time in Frankfurt than San Jose. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Frankfurt, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Frankfurt than San Jose. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Frankfurt that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.

One day in Frankfurt or San Jose?

Frankfurt is a big city with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. 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.

A weekend in Frankfurt or San Jose?

Frankfurt 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Frankfurt, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the bustling 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.

Five days in Frankfurt or San Jose?

Frankfurt 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 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.

A week in Frankfurt or San Jose?

Frankfurt is a great place to explore. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Frankfurt and San Jose, we can see that Frankfurt is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or San Jose?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt or San Jose?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt or San Jose in the Summer?

Both San Jose and Frankfurt are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the summer, Frankfurt is cooler than San Jose. Typically, the summer temperatures in Frankfurt in July average around 19°C (67°F), and San Jose averages at about 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Frankfurt. Frankfurt usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Frankfurt gets 225 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, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than San Jose. Frankfurt gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Frankfurt or San Jose in the Autumn?

Both San Jose and Frankfurt during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.

In October, Frankfurt is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 11°C (51°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Frankfurt gets 103 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. Frankfurt usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Frankfurt gets 51 mm (2 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. Also, May to November in San Jose is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Frankfurt or San Jose in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Frankfurt and San Jose. Many visitors come to Frankfurt in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Frankfurt can get quite cold in the winter. Frankfurt is much colder than San Jose in the winter. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 1°C (34°F) in January, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. Frankfurt usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Frankfurt gets 41 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Frankfurt usually receives more rain than San Jose. Frankfurt gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Frankfurt or San Jose in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Frankfurt as well as San Jose. Most visitors come to Frankfurt for the activities around the city during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.

In the spring, Frankfurt is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the spring temperatures in Frankfurt in April average around 10°C (50°F), and San Jose averages at about 29°C (85°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In the spring, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Frankfurt gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Frankfurt gets 52 mm (2 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, the hurricane season in San Jose is May to November.

Typical Weather for San Jose and Frankfurt