Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Hofn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hofn or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hofn or San Jose, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Hofn or San Jose?
Hofn
Hofn is a very small fishing town on the southeast of Iceland, measuring just over half a mile across. It is best known for being located in the beautiful Vatnajokull Region, where the largest glacier in Europe is located. Hofn, and the surrounding area, is full of breathtaking natural scenery including lagoons, icefalls, and mountains.
San Jose
San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica and is likely to be your first and last stop in a visit to the country. The city is situated in the Central Valley and is surrounded by beautiful mountains and valleys, making for a beautiful flight in. The city has an elevation of 1200 meters and sits on a plateau with a beautiful backdrop of lush green forest. Half of the people in Costa Rica reside in the country's capital city. You are likely to stay only a day or two, but there are a handful of things to do and see including museums and markets. You will also find many embassies, as well as the University of Costa Rica in San Jose.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Hofn Prices
Iceland PricesSan Jose Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHofn $207San Jose $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Hofn is $207, 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 Hofn and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHofn $113San Jose $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHofn $226San Jose $98
Compare Hotels in Hofn and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Hofn 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Hofn Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hofn $31San Jose $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Jose
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Jose are as follows:
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Taxi from SJO$25
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Local Bus$2.72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Montezuma: $300
- San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Limon: Private Transfer : $299
- San Jose to Guanacaste: Private Transfer : $299
- Private Transfer From San Jose to Cahuita With 2 Stops: $298
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Liberia: $297
- Transfer one way from San Jose or Airport to Hotel RIU Guanacaste : $295
- Private Transfer San Jose SJO Airport to Puerto Viejo by Minivan: $283
- Private Transfer: San José Apto to Puerto Viejo / Cahuita (Limón): $280
- Private One Way Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $280
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Private Transfer: San José Airport to Puerto Viejo / Cahuita : $275
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Cahuita: $272
Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Hofn 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayHofn $73San Jose $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Jose
For San Jose, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour including Markets: $29
- San Jose Cooking Classes visit Central Market: $52
- San Jose By Night: Farm to Table Dinner, Cooking & Cocktail Class: $59
- Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup: $78
- San Jose By Night: Sights & Culture Tour with Local Dinner : $80
- Dinner + Typical dance show at the best viewpoint in San José: $92
- Street Food Tour in San Jose with a Local Guide: $113
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hofn $20San Jose $21
Tours and Activities in Hofn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.
- 3 Hours Blue Ice Experience in Vatnajokull : $214
- Crystal Ice Cave Adventure : $203
- Crystal Ice Cave Tour from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: $182
- Frozen Wonders : Small Group Ice Cave Tour: $200
- Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $157
- Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $170
- Sindri’s Ice Cave Photography Tour: A Local’s Perspective: $215
- The Orignal Ice Cave Tour in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: $164
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 in 1 Volcano Irazu + San Jose City Tour: $187
- 2-Hour Orosi Nocturnal Tour: $33
- 3-Hour Downtown San Jose Walking Tour: $40
- A taste of Aquiares - 2 hours Coffee Tour: $42
- ATV Off Road Poas Volcano Adventure and Hiking for two persons.: $130
- Action Packed Class 4 Rafting Adventure : $95
- Adventure Park: $190
- Adventure Zip Lining at the Cloud Forest from San José: $138
- Airtime Zipline Adventure in Arenal: $60
- Arenal Combo Experience: Canopy & Rapell + Thermals: $65
- Arenal Hanging Bridges and Hot Springs Private Tour from San Jose: $295
- Arenal Volcano & Baldi Hot Springs one day tour from San Jose: $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHofn $13San Jose $16
Sample the Local Flavors in San Jose
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
- Exclusive Pub Crawl in San Jose : $30
- Bar Crawl in Downtown San Jose: $39
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $85
- Bar Crawl in San Jose in a Deluxe Party Bus: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hofn and San Jose, we can see that Hofn is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hofn 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 Hofn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hofn 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 Hofn Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hofn or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 200 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn 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 Hofn or San Jose?
Hofn 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 Hofn or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and San Jose. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Hofn is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 9°C (48°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
San Jose receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Hofn usually receives less rain than San Jose. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHofn 9°C (48°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Hofn or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hofn as well as San Jose. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Hofn in the autumn. Hofn is much colder than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 4°C (40°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Hofn receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hofn usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in San Jose is the dry season. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in San Jose.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHofn 4°C (40°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hofn or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Hofn are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. In the winter, Hofn is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hofn in January average around -0°C (31°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in Hofn. In January, Hofn usually receives more rain than San Jose. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHofn -0°C (31°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hofn or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Hofn during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Hofn can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Hofn is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 2°C (36°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Hofn usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHofn 2°C (36°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Hofn
| Hofn | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 0°C (32°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 5°C (40°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (40°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (34°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
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.