Living in San Jose

San Jose

Coffee, museums and chilled out vibes
Photo by César Badilla Miranda
78
Score

As the heart of Costa Rica, San Jose is famous for its outdoor activities, delicious coffee, and laid-back lifestyle. The city offers fascinating museums and old buildings along with lush rainforests and amazing wildlife.

The Good

  • 🎉 Decent nightlife
  • 😋 Decent food options
  • 🍜 Streetfood
  • ☕ Coffee
  • ☀️ Fantastic weather
  • 🏝️ Nature & beaches
  • 🏛️ Architecture
  • ⛱️ Great beach

The Bad

  • 👮 Not the safest
  • 🗑️ Pollution
  • 📡 Unreliable wifi
  • 🚌 Limited public transport
  • 🤼 Crowded

Living costs

Estimated Monthly Living Cost
San Jose
Cheapest () Costliest ()
Costa Rica
0%
cheaper than Costa Rica median
178th
Cheapest out of 291 RoamRank places
  • The average salary in San Jose is
  • It's about 9% more expensive to live in San Jose than it is Athens
  • You can expect to spend around $1,812.90 per month living here

Work
Internet
60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data
PAYG Sim Card
30 Day / Unlimited Data
 --
Airalo eSim
Global eSims for Instant Connectivity
 Buy
Coffee
Regular (8-10oz)
Co-Working Space
Per Month
 --

Living
Apartment (1 bed)
Median Rent Per Month
Apartment (2 beds)
Median Rent Per Month
 --
Airbnb (2 beds)
Median Rent Per Month
 --
Utilities
Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage Collection Per Month
Water
0.33 liter bottle

Leisure
Meal
Cheap Restaurant
Meal for 2
Mid Range Restaurant
Local Beer
330ml Bottle
Cocktail
Standard Measure
 --
Bottle of Wine
Mid range
Gym Membership
Per Month
Cigarettes
20 pack
Cinema
Admission Per Person
  • Prices are estimates and should be used as a guide only. We accept no responsibility for inaccuracies in data.
  • Prices adjusted to reflect exchange rates as of 4th Jun 2026

Safety

OK

Moderate crime rates, particularly in certain areas; exercise caution and stay aware of your surroundings.

Internet speed

OK

Download
25.3Mbps
Upload
8.8Mbps
Latency
29.7ms
Select a tile
Click a tile to see median wifi speed data for that area. Speeds are shown in Mbps.
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Time difference

San Jose

When to visit

Current weather
The weather in June is really warm with temperatures around 27°
Best time to visit
Dry Season is December to April. The weather is typically dry and sunny, making it ideal for outdoor activities. The temperatures are comfortable, and there's a lower chance of rain, making it a popular time for tourists. However, keep in mind that this is the peak tourist season, so popular attractions may be more crowded.
Worst time to visit
May to November. The wet season brings more rainfall, particularly in the afternoons and evenings. While mornings are often clear, heavy rains can occur in the afternoons, leading to muddy trails and difficult travel conditions. The wet season also coincides with hurricane season in the Caribbean, although Costa Rica is less prone to direct hits. If you don't mind occasional rain and want to avoid crowds, the wet season can still be a good time to visit, as prices for accommodations may be lower.

Average temperatures

25°
25°
27°
27°
26°
26°
26°
26°
26°
25°
25°
25°
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Who it suits