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

Should you visit Zadar or San Jose?

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

Should I visit Zadar or San Jose? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Zadar

Zadar is a relaxed, coastal, and vibrant town. Zadar is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Zadar travel costs.

San Jose

San Jose is a colorful, bustling, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See San Jose travel costs.

Zadar and San Jose: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zadar or San Jose?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Jose than Zadar. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. San Jose is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Zadar attracts visitors for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. San Jose is more touristy than Zadar and is popular for its colorful markets and vibrant nightlife, as well as its easy access to the rest of the country. It is also well known for The National Museum of Costa Rica. Zadar is famous for its historical sights and waterfront setting.

How is Zadar different from San Jose?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Zadar and San Jose.

Zadar offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The old town is like a living museum, with city walls and a historic gate. The Church of St. Donatus, Zadar Cathedral, and the Zadar Archaeological Museum are all fascinating places to visit in town, but if you're looking for the most unique sight, make sure you check out The Sea Organ and The Sun Salutation.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around San Jose. 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 Zadar or San Jose? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Zadar 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 Zadar. The town is filled with outdoor cafes that serve up a healthy and delicious selection of recipes. The ingredients are fresh and local with olive oil and seafood making frequent appearances on the menus. Prices are also reasonable.

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 Zadar or San Jose Better for Nightlife?

San Jose is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

San Jose offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Zadar. The town comes to life at night when the bars and restaurants fill with people chatting and socializing. This is an easy place to enjoy the evening as almost all of the nightlife venues are within a five minute walk of each other.

Is Zadar or San Jose Better for Resorts?

Zadar is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, San Jose is not a resort destination.

Zadar is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. If you want a beachfront resort, there are a number of nice options outside of town.

San Jose is not a resort destination.

Is Zadar or San Jose Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Zadar is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, San Jose is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Zadar has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. This is an easy place to snorkel because the water is so clear. There are also half and full day snorkeling trips that take you to some of the best spots.

San Jose is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Zadar or San Jose Better for Beaches?

Zadar is a very popular place for its beaches. However, San Jose is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Zadar. There are some nice beaches outside of town with one of the most famous being Sakarun Beach, which is part of the Zadar archipelago. There are a handful of beaches nearby that are pebbly and popular with the locals. These include Puntamika Beach and Beach Borik.

San Jose is not a beach destination.

Is Zadar or San Jose Better for its Old Town?

Zadar is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, San Jose does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Zadar to see the historical old town. The small old town is filled with charm and character. It's a walled medieval town that can easily be explored in a few hours.

San Jose does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Zadar or San Jose?

San Jose is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Zadar has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are small, boutique shops around the old town that sell designer merchandise. There are also shopping malls on the outskirts of town.

Is Zadar or San Jose More Beautiful?

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

Zadar is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's a charming medieval town that is at its most beautiful during the spectacular sunsets.

San Jose is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Zadar or San Jose Better for Families?

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

Zadar is a family-friendly town. It's fun to explore the small medieval old town, but the kids will also appreciate getting out of town and enjoying the nearby activities. It's definitely worth visiting Pag Island or any of the other natural settings that are nearby. There are also several beaches near town. In town, make sure you hear the Sea Organ and dance at the Sun Salutation.

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 Zadar or San Jose Better for Couples?

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

Zadar makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This charming seaside town is fun to explore as a couple. There's a walled medieval town that is small and easy to wander around. There are also nearby beaches and great restaurants to explore. A highlight of a visit is watching the stunning sunsets by the water.

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 Zadar or San Jose Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Zadar and San Jose are very good destinations for backpackers.

Zadar is a great town to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of hostels in town and you'll find backpackers, students, and budget travelers everywhere.

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.

Is Zadar or San Jose Better for Students?

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

Zadar is a great town to visit as a student. The laid back lifestyle and low cost of living make this a great place to be a student. It's a relaxed environment with many nearby places to explore.

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

Both Zadar and San Jose offer nice public transit options.

Zadar has a few public transit options. There are 11 bus lines that travel around town.

San Jose has some public transit options. There are local buses that travel through the city during the daytime hours.

Is Zadar or San Jose a more walkable city?

Zadar 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.

Zadar is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable and can easily be explored on foot in a few hours.

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

Should I spend more time in San Jose or Zadar?

How long in Zadar or San Jose?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Zadar or San Jose to fill your time. In our opinion, Zadar has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Zadar than San Jose. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Zadar or San Jose?

The beautiful town of Zadar offers museums and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In San Jose, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this bustling destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Zadar or San Jose?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Jose. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Zadar or San Jose?

Zadar 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.

San Jose is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of San Jose. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Zadar or San Jose?

Zadar 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 town offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the colorful destination of San Jose. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

Which is Bigger, Zadar or San Jose?

San Jose has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Zadar. When comparing the sizes of Zadar 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 Zadar or San Jose?

Zadar 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 Zadar or San Jose in the Summer?

Both San Jose and Zadar during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Zadar for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.

In July, Zadar is generally around the same temperature as San Jose. Daily temperatures in Zadar average around 26°C (80°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Zadar. In the summer, Zadar often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Zadar gets 345 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.

San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zadar usually gets less rain in July than San Jose. Zadar gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zadar or San Jose in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zadar and San Jose. Many visitors come to Zadar in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Zadar is much colder than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zadar averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Zadar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zadar usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during autumn. Zadar gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

San Jose receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Zadar usually receives less rain than San Jose. Zadar gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to April in San Jose is the dry season. The hurricane season in San Jose is May to November.

Should I visit Zadar or San Jose in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Zadar as well as San Jose. Most visitors come to Zadar for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.

In the winter, Zadar is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zadar in January average around 8°C (47°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In the winter, Zadar often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Zadar gets 128 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.

Zadar usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Zadar gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zadar or San Jose in the Spring?

Both San Jose and Zadar are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Zadar because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Zadar is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Zadar average around 15°C (59°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

It's quite sunny in San Jose. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zadar. Zadar usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during spring. Zadar gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Zadar usually receives more rain than San Jose. Zadar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in San Jose is December to April. May to November is the hurricane season in San Jose.

Typical Weather for San Jose and Zadar