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

Should you visit Oxford or San Jose?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford 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.

Oxford

Oxford is a collegiate, beautiful, and historic college town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Oxford is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Oxford travel costs.

San Jose

San Jose is a bustling, authentic, and traditional city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See San Jose travel costs.

Oxford and San Jose: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or San Jose?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Jose than Oxford, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. San Jose is more popular for its shopping and big city activities, while Oxford is known for its museums and attractions, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Oxford is more touristy than San Jose and is known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities. San Jose is popular for its colorful markets and vibrant nightlife, as well as its easy access to the rest of the country. It is also home to The National Museum of Costa Rica.

How is Oxford different from San Jose?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Oxford 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 Oxford can be an interesting and educational experience. This town is filled with culture, history, and world class museums. Check out the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, The Museum of Modern Art, Ashmolean Museum, or the Museum of Oxford.

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 Oxford or San Jose? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Oxford and San Jose offer good local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Oxford. In addition to the typical British pubs and fish and chips shops, you'll find a wide diversity of ethnic food around town. Thai, sushi, Indian, and more are common dining options. Head to the Oxford Covered Market to try a traditional British breakfast or have some delicious ice cream.

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 Oxford or San Jose Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Oxford and San Jose.

Oxford has a large number of nightlife venues. As a college town, you'll find an active nightlife scene with trivia nights and plenty of parties. There are pubs around town where you can grab a drink or find out if there's a concert while you're in town.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or San Jose?

San Jose is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Oxford offers some nice shopping areas. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Is Oxford or San Jose More Beautiful?

Oxford is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, San Jose is not a destination known for its beauty.

Oxford is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The history and architecture make this a beautiful destination.

San Jose is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Oxford or San Jose Better for Families?

Oxford is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Oxford is a family-friendly college town. Families will enjoy taking a paddle boat out on the water and exploring the beautiful setting. There are also a number of sights that were influential in the making of Harry Potter. In particular, you'll find the inspiration for the "Great Hall" if you take a tour of Christ Church College. The tour must be booked in advance and they often sell out. Older kids will also enjoy exploring the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

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 Oxford or San Jose Better for Couples?

Oxford is a very popular place for romance. However, San Jose is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Oxford makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beautiful campus and striking architecture make this a great destination for romance. Hire a boat and explore the water or wander through one of the impressive gardens.

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 Oxford or San Jose Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Jose is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Oxford is lacking in good options for backpackers.

San Jose is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Oxford is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town that offer affordable accommodation. As a college town, Oxford also has an active nightlife scene and a young crowd that keeps things affordable and fun.

Is Oxford or San Jose Better for Students?

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

Oxford is a great destination for students. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Oxford and San Jose.

Oxford has some public transit options. There are buses available if your legs get tired.

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 Oxford or San Jose a more walkable city?

Oxford 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.

Oxford is very walkable. The best way to explore most of the town is on foot, so you can soak up the full collegiate atmosphere.

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

Should I spend more time in San Jose or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or San Jose?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Oxford or San Jose to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Oxford 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 Oxford, and 1-2 days is enough time in San Jose.

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

Couples should spend more time in Oxford than San Jose. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Oxford 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 Oxford 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.

One day in Oxford or San Jose?

Oxford is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of San Jose. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Oxford or San Jose?

Oxford is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this college town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Oxford, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

San Jose is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Oxford or San Jose?

Oxford 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Jose. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Oxford or San Jose?

Oxford 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 college town offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of San Jose. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, 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 Oxford and San Jose, we can see that Oxford is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oxford 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 Oxford would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oxford 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 Oxford Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Oxford or San Jose?

San Jose has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Oxford. When comparing the sizes of Oxford 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 Oxford or San Jose?

Oxford 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 Oxford or San Jose in the Summer?

Both San Jose and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Oxford because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Oxford is much colder than San Jose in the summer. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Oxford usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Oxford gets 195 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, Oxford usually receives less rain than San Jose. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oxford or San Jose in the Autumn?

Both San Jose and Oxford during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.

In the autumn, Oxford is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Oxford in October average around 11°C (52°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Oxford often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Oxford gets 107 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. Oxford usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 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, the hurricane season in San Jose is May to November.

Should I visit Oxford or San Jose in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Oxford. In January, Oxford is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 3°C (38°F), 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. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oxford usually receives more rain than San Jose. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or San Jose in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Oxford as well as San Jose. Many visitors come to Oxford in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.

Oxford is much colder than San Jose in the spring. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, 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, Oxford often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 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. Keep in mind that May to November is the hurricane season in San Jose.

Typical Weather for San Jose and Oxford