Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Acapulco de Juarez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or San Juan? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Acapulco de Juarez or San Juan?
Acapulco de Juarez
Located on the southwestern Pacific Coast of Mexico is the beautiful beach city of Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco is one of the original travel and resort destinations in Mexico, and it's still considered a popular spring break destination for Americans. Known as simply "Acapulco" to many travelers, this region is a popular spot for cruise lines to stop and timeshares to grow. Thanks to those cruise lines and timeshares, tourist activities like water parks and jet skis have experienced considerable growth.
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 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAcapulco de Juarez $81San Juan $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Acapulco de Juarez is $81, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $179. 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 Acapulco de Juarez and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAcapulco de Juarez $39San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAcapulco de Juarez $78San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Acapulco de Juarez and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Acapulco de Juarez 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: Acapulco de Juarez Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Acapulco de Juarez $16San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Acapulco de Juarez
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Acapulco de Juarez:
- Private Airport Transfer &on 2nd Day 4Hr TourAll AttractionsCombo: $90
- Private Best Round Trip Airport - Hotel - Airport Transfer : $70
- Private - One Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $66
- Airport Transfer in Suburban: $65
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Bahia de Acapulco: $49
- Transfer in private minivan from Bahía de Acapulco -Acapulco Airport (ACA): $32
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Bahía de Acapulco - Acapulco Airport (ACA): $24
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Acapulco Airport (ACA) -Bahía de Acapulco: $24
- Acapulco hotels to Acapulco Airport (ACA) – Departure Private Transfer : $20
- Acapulco Airport Transfer: $10
- Shared transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Acapulco: $6.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Mendoza: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $25
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- Oneway Transfer from San Juan (SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Ponce: $125
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Private Transportation in Puerto Rico From or To San Juan Airport(SJU) Transfers: $33
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Acapulco de Juarez or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Acapulco de Juarez 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 dayAcapulco de Juarez $29San Juan $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Acapulco de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Acapulco de Juarez.
- High Divers DeLuxe Three Course Dinner +Three Drinks plus SUNSET: $49
- Cliff Divers Exhibition 2 Drinks + Tacos al Pastor Dinner & Beer: $55
- Cliff Diver De Luxe 3 Course Dinner at "La Quebrada" in Acapulco: $56
- Cliff Divers Show With Dinner At Acapulco: $72
- Wrestling-Lucha Libre Experience Tacos Beer Dinner Only SUNDAY: $84
- Off the Beaten Path Mexican Cooking Class Lagoon Boatride &Lunch: $89
- Hands ON - Mex Cooking Class Experience - City Market & Lunch : $90
- Hands On Mexican Cooking Class with Food Tasting & Market Visit: $100
- Mexican Fiesta Show & Dinner: $115
- Bella Vista PRIVATE Al Fresco 3 Course Dinner Cliff Diver3Drinks: $191
- Super DeLuxe Bella Vista Dinner &1 Drink +2 Drinks at CliffDivers: $193
- Divers Show and Luxury Dinner in Acapulco: $199
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
- Private Local Food Tour in San Juan: $275
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Acapulco de Juarez $18San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Acapulco de Juarez
Here are a few actual costs in Acapulco de Juarez for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 4Hrs City Tour Exclusively for Hotels, Divers, Chapel & Mural.: $44
- 6Hr Walking Tour San Diego Fort Museum Cliff Divers Zocalo: $68
- Small-Group or Private All Inclusive 4 Hours City Tour & Divers: $36
- 4 Hrs Exclusive to Cruise Ship Passengers Sightseeing Experience : $62
- 4-6Hrs Acapulco City Tour With a Fun Guide. Diver Show, Mex Lunch: $47
- 4Hrs Small Group Half Day City Tour with Lunch at High Divers: $85
- 4hr City Tour For Cruises or Hotels Diver Peace Chapel & Mural: $40
- 6Hr City Tour Cruise or Hotel Turtle Nesting High Diver & Market: $51
- 6Hr Cruise or Hotels City Tour, Divers, Baby Turtles Peace Chapel: $51
- 6Hr Cruisers or Hotels High Diver Peace Chapel BabyTurtleRelease: $50
- Acapulco City Tour : $35
- Acapulco Historical Tour with Cliff Divers Show: $65
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
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- Walking tour of Oaxaca City: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAcapulco de Juarez $11San 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 Acapulco de Juarez and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Acapulco de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Acapulco de Juarez is in North America 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 Acapulco de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Acapulco de Juarez 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 Acapulco de Juarez.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Acapulco de Juarez Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Acapulco de Juarez or San Juan?
Acapulco de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Acapulco de Juarez 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 Acapulco de Juarez or San Juan?
Acapulco de Juarez has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Juan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Acapulco de Juarez during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In the summer, Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in July average around 29°C (83°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Acapulco de Juarez. In the summer, Acapulco de Juarez often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Acapulco de Juarez gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets more rain in July than San Juan. Acapulco de Juarez gets 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAcapulco de Juarez 29°C (83°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Acapulco de Juarez and San Juan. The shopping scene are the main draw to Acapulco de Juarez this time of year. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Acapulco de Juarez is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 28°C (83°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Acapulco de Juarez, it's very sunny this time of the year. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during autumn. Acapulco de Juarez gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Acapulco de Juarez gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan. Acapulco de Juarez gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAcapulco de Juarez 28°C (83°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Acapulco de Juarez as well as San Juan. Many travelers come to Acapulco de Juarez for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Acapulco de Juarez this time of the year. In the winter, Acapulco de Juarez often gets more sunshine than San Juan. Acapulco de Juarez gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in January than San Juan. Acapulco de Juarez gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAcapulco de Juarez 26°C (79°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Acapulco de Juarez are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez in the spring for the beaches. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in April average around 27°C (81°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during spring. Acapulco de Juarez gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives less rain than San Juan. Acapulco de Juarez gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAcapulco de Juarez 27°C (81°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Acapulco de Juarez
| Acapulco de Juarez | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 271 mm (10.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 341 mm (13.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 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.