Travel budget and cost of living in San Jose (Costa Rica) how much does a trip cost?

San Jose travel budget

San Jose: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to San Jose

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in San Jose for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in San Jose compared to Costa Rica in 2019

On average, the cost of living in San Jose in 2019 is 20% less than the average cost of living in United States.

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in San Jose in 2019 compared to average prices in United States:

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Arrival city:

Main airport(s)San JoseOther airport(s)Liberia (Guanacaste)

Depart on:

Return on:

Adults (over 16):

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Class:

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Local prices in San Jose by expense type

Restaurant budget in San Jose

Lunch

$ 8.1/person
($ 6.3 to $ 11)

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50% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 17

3 course dinner

$ 23/person
($ 16 to $ 33)

---

18% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 28

McDonald's meal

$ 7.4/person
($ 6.7 to $ 9)

---

5% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 7.9

Local beer

$ 2.7 for 500ml
($ 1.8 to $ 3.6)

---

44% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 4.9

Imported beer

$ 2.9 for 330ml
($ 1.4 to $ 4.5)

---

7% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 3.1

Cappuccino

$ 3/cup
($ 2.2 to $ 3.9)

---

34% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 4.5

Fizzy drink

$ 1.7/can
($ 1.1 to $ 2.7)

---

16% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 2

Water bottle

$ 1.6/bottle
($ 1.1 to $ 2.7)

---

6% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 1.6

Hotel and accommodation budget in San Jose

1-star hotel

$ 39/night
($ 34 to $ 44)

---

64% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 107

2-star hotel

$ 45/night
($ 26 to $ 69)

---

64% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 125

3-star hotel

$ 89/night
($ 46 to $ 158)

---

50% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 179

4-star hotel

$ 182/night
($ 97 to $ 304)

---

29% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 260

5-star hotel

$ 165/night
( $ 165)

---

67% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 500

Hotel/Youth Hostel

$ 36/month
($ 21 to $ 54)

---

72% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 132

Room with kitchen

$ 88/month
($ 47 to $ 149)

---

47% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 167

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 115/month
($ 47 to $ 242)

---

30% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 167

Cottage or guest house

$ 67/month
($ 40 to $ 115)

---

69% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 219

Family room

$ 137/month
($ 79 to $ 232)

---

22% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 176

Supermarket food budget in San Jose

Milk

$ 1.4/litre
($ 1.1 to $ 2)

---

64% more than United States Average price in United States: $ 0.9

Bread

$ 2.2/500g
($ 1.1 to $ 3.2)

---

25% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 2.8

Rice

$ 2/kg
($ 1.7 to $ 2.7)

---

50% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 4.2

Eggs

$ 2.7/12 eggs
($ 2.2 to $ 3.6)

---

13% more than United States Average price in United States: $ 2.5

Cheese

$ 7.4/kg
($ 5 to $ 13)

---

34% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 12

Chicken

$ 8.7/kg
($ 6.3 to $ 11)

---

6% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 9.2

Apples

$ 4.4/kg
($ 2.7 to $ 6.3)

---

7% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 4.8

Oranges

$ 2.9/kg
($ 1.8 to $ 5.4)

---

33% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 4.3

Tomatoes

$ 3.3/kg
($ 1.7 to $ 5.4)

---

23% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 4.3

Potatoes

$ 2.3/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 3.6)

---

18% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 2.8

Salad

$ 1.1/salad
($ 0.8 to $ 1.4)

---

35% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 1.7

Water bottle

$ 2.5
($ 1.8 to $ 3.6)

---

28% more than United States Average price in United States: $ 1.9

Joint of beef

$ 12/kg
($ 8.1 to $ 14)

---

10% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 13

Public and private transport budget in San Jose

Bus ticket

$ 0.7/ticket
($ 0.6 to $ 1)

---

70% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 2.4

Bus pass

$ 54/month
($ 42 to $ 64)

---

30% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 77

Taxi (per km)

$ 1.2/km
($ 1.1 to $ 1.7)

---

35% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 1.9

Petrol

$ 1.2/litre
($ 1.1 to $ 1.2)

---

44% more than United States Average price in United States: $ 0.8

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 1.2
($ 1.1 to $ 1.4)

---

68% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 3.8

Car hire

$ 21/24hrs
($ 4.8 to $ 90)

---

48% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 40

Budget for living and housing in San Jose

Electricity, water...

$ 81/month
($ 38 to $ 127)

---

52% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 165

Mobile phone

$ 0.1/min.
($ 0 to $ 0.1)

---

54% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 0.1

Broadband internet

$ 85/month
($ 46 to $ 137)

---

23% more than United States Average price in United States: $ 70

Studio flat (city centre)

$ 523/month
($ 361 to $ 856)

---

62% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 1396

Studio flat (suburbs)

$ 453/month
($ 272 to $ 696)

---

59% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 1109

Flat (centre)

$ 1030/month
($ 722 to $ 1604)

---

54% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 2268

Flat (suburbs)

$ 825/month
($ 542 to $ 1284)

---

53% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 1776

Gym

$ 64/month
($ 38 to $ 102)

---

59% more than United States Average price in United States: $ 40

Private nursery

$ 384/month
($ 214 to $ 578)

---

60% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 974

Private primary school

$ 9267/yr
($ 5768 to $ 12826)

---

46% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 17419

Leisure activity budget in San Jose

Cinema

$ 5.5/ticket
($ 5.4 to $ 7.2)

---

57% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 13

Tennis

$ 27/hr
($ 9 to $ 38)

---

58% more than United States Average price in United States: $ 17

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in San Jose

Cigarettes

$ 3.9/pack
($ 3.6 to $ 4.5)

---

51% less than in United States Average price in United States: $ 8.1

Levi's jeans

$ 72
($ 49 to $ 91)

---

50% more than United States Average price in United States: $ 48

Summer dress

$ 58
($ 38 to $ 109)

---

48% more than United States Average price in United States: $ 39

Trainers

$ 109
($ 91 to $ 181)

---

35% more than United States Average price in United States: $ 81

Leather shoes

$ 107
($ 73 to $ 145)

---

4% more than United States Average price in United States: $ 103

Plane ticket budget

Los Angeles → San Jose

$ 512
(fair price: $ 446)

London → San Jose

$ 985
(fair price: $ 799)

New York City → San Jose

$ 490
(fair price: $ 415)

Montreal → San Jose

$ 554
(fair price: $ 480)

Toronto (Ontario) → San Jose

$ 501
(fair price: $ 443)

Manchester → San Jose

$ 947
(fair price: $ 837)

Dublin → San Jose

$ 972
(fair price: $ 893)

Edinburgh → San Jose

$ 978
(fair price: $ 878)

Sydney → San Jose

$ 1574
(fair price: $ 1434)

Auckland → San Jose

$ 1859
(fair price: $ 1611)

Melbourne → San Jose

$ 1735
(fair price: $ 1559)

Tours and organised trips in Costa Rica

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