Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and San Juan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or San Juan?
Abu Dhabi
It doesn't get more "lifestyles of the rich and famous" than a vacation to Abu Dhabi. The federal capital and center of government for the United Arab Emirates is arguably the most modern city in the world.
Abu Dhabi has a population of 1.5 million and provides a home to several oil companies and embassies, but this place is definitely a playground for the world's fanciest tourists. This city has several large projects underway including Yas Island's Formula 1 track and Ferrari theme park.
Note: homosexuality is still outlawed in the UAE with harsh punishments including deportation, fines, jail time or even a death sentence.
San Juan
If you've ever set foot on a Caribbean cruise, you've probably spent a bit of time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, maybe you should consider spending more than just a port day in this beautiful and historically rich city.
As the capital and largest city in all of Puerto Rico, San Juan is home to approximately 400,000 people. Established in 1521, it is also the second oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas.
As this city fuses a historic paradise with modern day energy, it has absolutely everything to offer. Intellectual wanderers, beach bums, rainforest adventurers and radical surfers will all find plenty to do in San Juan.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to United Arab Emirates, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United Arab Emirates.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $192. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Abu Dhabi and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or San Juan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:
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Car Rental$31
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Taxi to Airport$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Abu Dhabi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Abu Dhabi:
- Skydive in Abu Dhabi | Tandem Skydive with transfer: $817
- Private Transfer from Qasr Al Sarab to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $274
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Fujairah: $274
- Private Transfer from Jebel Dhanna Resort to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $274
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Talal Liwa: $274
- Private Transfer from Talal Liwa to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $274
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Jebel Dhanna Resort: $274
- Ferrari world & Warner bros. parks with transfer from Dubai: $250
- Abu Dhabi Helicopter Ride with optional Private Transfers: $222
- Warner Bros World Ticket's -Abu Dhabi Without Transfer: $220
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury Van: $212
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport AUH to Dubai in Luxury Van: $202
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- San Juan One-way Transfer: $30
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel : $50
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla Y Luxury SUV, Select Zone: $77
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla S Lux Sedan, Select Zone: $79
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Abu Dhabi change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAbu Dhabi $45San Juan $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Dubai: Dhow Cruise Marina Multi Cusine Dinner & Tanura Show: $35
- Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $42
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Live Shows Pick & Drop More: $45
- Dubai Best Dhow Cruise Dinner Marina: $46
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $49
- Desert Safari, Quad Bike, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $50
- Desert Tour with BBQ Dinner and Hotel Transfer: $51
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner and all Camp Activities : $72
- Desert Safari Abu Dhabi w/ Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $75
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari & Dinner Under the Stars: $77
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari (Dune Bashing, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Sand Skii): $80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Old San Juan Sunset Food Tour with Drinks: $156
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walk and Food Tour: $159
- City Lights Sky High Dinner Experience: $165
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Abu Dhabi Full Day City Tour : $100
- Abu Dhabi Louvre Museum Entrance Ticket: $41
- Abu Dhabi Tour-Sheik Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace With Louvre Musuem: $115
- Falcon Hospital Tour with Transportation : $101
- Full Day Abu Dhabi City & Louvre Museum Tour: $90
- Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi: $234
- Ticket to Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi: $19
- 4 Hour Cultural Tour of Abu Dhabi - Private Tour: $160
- 8 Hour Ticket/Pass For Yas Water World In Dubai.: $103
- Abu Dhabi 'Hidden Gems' by City Break - walking tours made fun!: $32
- Abu Dhabi 4G & 5G Data Roaming for Tourist: $11
- Abu Dhabi : Private Custom Walking Tour with A Guide: $43
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Tour$40
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Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
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1 Hr Windsurfing Lesson$75
Tours and Activities in San Juan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Juan.
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historic Buildings: $5.99
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $20
- Old Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $25
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- Ron del Barrilito Skip-the-Line Heritage Tour Ticket: $46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Pinones Pub crawl in Puerto Rico: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Abu Dhabi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Abu Dhabi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Abu Dhabi and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in San Juan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Juan than you might in Abu Dhabi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Abu Dhabi Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or San Juan?
Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and San Juan, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi or San Juan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as San Juan. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in July than San Juan. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. In the summer, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than San Juan. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
It's very hot in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Abu Dhabi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Abu Dhabi throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than San Juan. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Abu Dhabi is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Abu Dhabi in October average around 29°C (84°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Abu Dhabi during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Abu Dhabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than San Juan. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the winter, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than San Juan. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
In January, Abu Dhabi is generally cooler than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 18°C (64°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and San Juan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than San Juan. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than San Juan during spring. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
Abu Dhabi is around the same temperature as San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.