Make it a trip · San Jose, Costa Rica
What San Jose costs
once you land
Real prices, from the airport ride to a room for the night, each with where we found it. Checked October 2026, around San José and the Central Valley.
Prices as the source quoted them.
Arriving
-
No visa needed Fixed
For AU, NZ, GB, US, CA, IE, NL, DE, FR, SG passports.
Up to 180 days.
Source: Wikipedia, visa policy of Costa Rica (2026)
Free -
Uber or DiDi from SJO to central San José, from Many reports
Usually 15 to 25 USD. 25 to 40 minutes, pickup outside the terminal. Orange airport taxis cost 25 to 40 USD.
Source: AirConnect, San José airport transport (2026-08)
US$15 Book an airport pickup
Getting around
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City bus ride Many reports
Source: LivingCost, San José (2026-06)
US$1.10
Eating and drinking
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Lunch menu at a cheap restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, San José (2026-06)
US$12.80 -
US$11.80
-
Dinner for two at a restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, San José (2026-06)
US$50 -
Cappuccino Many reports
Source: LivingCost, San José (2026-06)
US$5.20 -
Beer at a pub, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, San José (2026-06)
US$3.40
At the supermarket
-
Water, 1 litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, San José (2026-06)
US$2.10 -
Coca-Cola at a restaurant, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, San José (2026-06)
US$2.30 -
Beer from a shop, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, San José (2026-06)
US$2.90
Doing
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Manuel Antonio National Park entry Many reports
Park entry. Rates can change without notice.
Source: Enter Costa Rica, national park entrance fees (2026)
US$16 Get tickets -
Poás Volcano National Park entry Many reports
Park entry; transport extra. Rates can change without notice.
Source: Enter Costa Rica, national park entrance fees (2026)
US$15 Book the tour
Sleeping, per night
-
Hostel dorm bed Range
Middle half of 15 central hostels on Hostelworld, 30 Oct 2026. The cheapest bed was 7 USD. Weekends and peak season cost more.
Source: Hostelworld, San Jose hostels (2026-10)
US$11 to US$19 Find a hostel
Prices change. Fixed fees come from official or widely reported figures; ranges are what travellers and operators report for 2026. Some links are affiliate links: they never change what you pay. How we make money.
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