Mid-Range Travel Guide: San Jose

Accommodation

$25-70 per night

Private rooms in mid-range hotels, comfortable guesthouses, boutique properties

Food & Dining

$15-40 per day

Mix of local restaurants and tourist-oriented dining, cafes, hotel breakfast

Transportation

$8-25 per day

Private auto-rickshaws, taxis for longer distances, mix of public and private transport

Activities

$20-60 per day

Paid attractions, guided tours, cultural experiences, adventure activities

Eat at local markets and street stalls instead of tourist restaurants (typically 60-80% cheaper)

Use public buses and shared transport instead of private taxis (saves 70-85% on transportation costs)

Book accommodation directly with properties rather than through international booking sites (often 15-25% cheaper)

Visit free temples and natural attractions instead of paid tourist sites (can save $10-30 per day)

Shop at local markets for snacks and water instead of hotel shops (typically 50-70% less expensive)

Travel during monsoon season when many properties offer discounts of 30-50%

Stay in neighborhoods where locals live rather than main tourist areas (generally 40-60% cheaper for food and accommodation)

Taking private taxis everywhere instead of learning the public transport system (typically costs 4-6x more)

Eating only in tourist-oriented restaurants instead of exploring local dining options (usually 100-200% markup)

Booking accommodation in prime tourist zones without comparing nearby local areas (often 50-80% more expensive for similar quality)

Not bargaining at markets and with auto-rickshaw drivers (can overpay by 30-100% in tourist areas)