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 Family-Friendly Tours to United Arab Emirates, and The Best 3-Day Tours in 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:
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Tickets with Private Transfers: $289
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Sharjah: $279
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Fujairah: $279
- Private Transfer from Talal Liwa to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $279
- Private Transfer from Jebel Dhanna Resort to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $279
- Ferrari world & Warner bros. parks with transfer from Dubai: $250
- Visit Ferrari World Abu Dhabi From Dubai Included Transfer and Tickets: $235
- From 2 Dives for Certified Divers with transfer: $231
- From Scuba Dive and Snorkeling with BBQ, Transfer: $231
- Abu Dhabi Helicopter Ride with optional Private Transfers: $222
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury SUV: $222
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury Van: $216
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 (Cruise, SJU, Hotels, Airbnb): $30
- One-way transfer from SJU Airport to Cruise Port or Vice Versa: $55
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, Tesla 3 Luxury Sedan.: $56
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan from/to Rio Grande or Loiza: $68
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan (SJU,hotel,airbnb,port) to Dorado City: $68
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla Y Luxury SUV, Select Zone: $69
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Airport Private Transfer from/to City Hotels: $70
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla S Lux Sedan, Select Zone: $71
- Transfer from San Juan to Ceiba (Vieques/Culebra) or Fajardo: $80
- Private Transfer from San Juan to Humacao: $80
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.
- Abudhabi Desert Safari Buffet Dinner & Live Entertainments Shows: $24
- Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment: $38
- Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $45
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Tour with Shows and BBQ Dinner: $60
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $60
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner : $65
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner and all Camp Activities : $72
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari & Dinner Under the Stars: $77
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari 4x4, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride: $81
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $81
- Abu Dhabi Afternoon Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner: $90
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:
- From Pinones Beach & Bar Hopping Food Tour: $50
- Piñones Bar Crawl and Beach Hop Food Tour with Drinks: $56
- Puerto Rican food tasting and beginner cooking Tour: $79
- Elevated Dinner Experience (4 Courses) City Lights & Ocean Breeze: $132
- Old San Juan Sunset Food Tour with Drinks: $156
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walk and Food Tour: $159
- 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 Tour-Sheik Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace With Louvre Musuem: $115
- Admission Ticket To Qasr Al Hosn Abu Dhabi: $20
- Falcon Hospital Tour with Transportation : $101
- Full Day Abu Dhabi City & Louvre Museum Tour: $90
- Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi Ticket: $26
- Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi: $279
- 1 Day 2 Yas Island Park Tickets Combo: $130
- 17 Minutes Helicopter Tour in Abu Dhabi: $245
- 2 Days 2 Park- Ferrari World +Yas Waterworld Or Warner Bros World Combo Tickets: $155
- Abu Dhabi 'Hidden Gems' by City Break - walking tours made fun!: $33
- Abu Dhabi City Tour: $95
- Abu Dhabi City Tour & Ferrari World Ticket: $119
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 Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $20
- Legends of Puerto Rico Haunted Walking Tour: $20
- Old Breathtaking Historic Walking Tour: $25
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Local Certified Guide: $30
- Old San Juan History & Culture Guided Walking Tour: $35
- Urban Park Sky Bull Zipline Experience: $39
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Guided Old Town Walking Tour: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13San Juan $12
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.