TOP Cheap Hotels in San José for 2026

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Our top choices for San José cheap hotels

1. Fairfield by Marriott San Jose Airport Alajuela

Rio Segundo

Dora

Rp1.559.301

Rp1.762.010 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

2. Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Airport Alajuela

Rio Segundo

Michelle

Rp1.850.686

Rp2.091.276 total

includes taxes & fees

28 Aug - 29 Aug

3. Alajuela City Hotel & Guest House

Agonía

Benazir

Rp532.313

Rp723.032 total

includes taxes & fees

21 Aug - 22 Aug

4. Holiday Inn Express San Jose Costa Rica Airport by IHG

Cacique

Heidi

Rp1.828.146

Rp2.065.805 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

The Apex | Premium bedding, down duvets, in-room safe, desk

Rooftop bar, al fresco dining, open daily

5. Hotel Presidente

Catedral

cara

Rp1.736.739

Rp1.962.515 total

includes taxes & fees

5 Sept - 6 Sept

6. Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport

Cacique

Natealyn

Rp2.042.864

Rp2.308.436 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Sept - 2 Sept

Body treatments, body wraps, body scrubs, facials

7. Barceló San José

Uruca

sonia

Rp1.505.483

Rp1.701.196 total

includes taxes & fees

11 Aug - 12 Aug

32-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels, TV

Room, 1 Queen Bed | Down duvets, in-room safe, desk, iron/ironing board

Down duvets, in-room safe, desk, iron/ironing board

8. City Express by Marriott San Jose Costa Rica

Ulloa

Donna

Rp1.290.456

Rp1.458.215 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Aug - 10 Aug

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Top San José Hotel Reviews

Holiday Inn Express San Jose Costa Rica Airport by IHG

10/10 Excellent

"Breakfast here is better than every American hotel I've ever stayed at."

Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Airport Alajuela

10/10 Excellent

"I stayed here while on a long, overnight layover. It was your typical Marriott hotel. Everything is always very predictable and we got great rest before we left to the airport the next morning. This place has a free airport shuttle too."

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto, Costa Rica

10/10 Excellent

"X"

DoubleTree by Hilton Cariari - San Jose Costa Rica

10/10 Excellent

"I recently stayed at the hotel for five days. Everything was good, clean, the only problem that I had it was that we didn’t have any fridge in in the room and also they didn’t even give us water bottles to have in our room but everything else was excellent"

Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport

8/10 Good

"Perfect location"

Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton

10/10 Excellent

"Excelente servicio y atención del personal"

Radisson San Jose-Costa Rica

10/10 Excellent

"Great hotel, professional staff, I like the bar/restaurant and the breakfast is pretty good too!"

Frequently asked questions

What is San José like for travellers on a budget?

San José has cheap accommodation options and a variety of places to visit, making it a great choice for a budget-friendly getaway. You can find ways to save money while getting to know this destination, which is home to attractions such as Central Park, National Theater of Costa Rica and Plaza de la Cultura.

What's the best budget-friendly accommodation in San José?

Based on reviews, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto, Costa Rica is a popular hotel for our travellers who want a more economical choice, and features free full breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Other good choices to stay on the cheap include Wyndham San Jose Herradura Hotel & Convention Center and Viajero San José Hostel.

How many budget hotels will I be able to find in San José?

Choose a hotel that suits your wallet from Expedia's 31 budget hotels in San José.

When is the best time for a budget trip to San José?

Weather will likely play an important role when you plan your trip to San José, but bear in mind that cheaper options are usually available when the weather isn't as good. The hottest months are usually March and April, with an average temperature of 20°C, while the coldest months are January and February, with an average of 19°C. The rainiest months in San José are October, June, September and August, with each month seeing an average of 650 mm of rainfall.

What is there to see and do in San José?

San José attracts visitors with its top museums and majestic volcano, and offers plenty to see and do without spending a fortune. You can budget for the local attractions that interest you most, and then make time for activities that are easy on the wallet. Explore and snap photos of landmarks like Estación del Ferrocarril de Costa Rica and Ruinas de Ujarras, or check out the area's cultural spots like at National Theater of Costa Rica.

How can I get to San José and get around on a budget?

Scoping out the transportation options in San José is a smart way to keep your trip affordable. The closest airport is 4.4 mi (7.1 km) away from the centre in San José (SYQ-Tobías Bolaños Intl.). However, if that doesn't suit your budget, you can book a flight to San José (SJO-Juan Santamaría Intl.), located 9.6 mi (15.5 km) away. San José might not have very many public transport options so a car rental could be a reasonable alternative to see more of the area.

Room 1

Change your mind

Treat yourself

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Check availability on San José Cheap Hotels

Our top choices for San José cheap hotels

1. Fairfield by Marriott San Jose Airport Alajuela