Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Amsterdam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Amsterdam or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or San Juan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Amsterdam or San Juan?
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital, and most popular tourist destination in the Netherlands. There are over one million residents in the metro area. Amsterdam is most famous for its canals that criss cross across the city, but it also has a rich history, interesting culture, and liberal vibe that appeal to all types of travelers. The architecture, bridges, and cycling culture help this metropolitan area maintain its small town vibe, despite being the largest city in the country as well as the financial center.
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 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmsterdam $187San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Amsterdam is $187, 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 Amsterdam and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmsterdam $109San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmsterdam $218San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Amsterdam and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Amsterdam 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: Amsterdam Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Amsterdam $21San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:
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Ride on Tram$3.43
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Renting a Bike$16
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One Hour Canal Cruise$11
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Single Day Transit Pass$2.79
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Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport$3.64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
- Private Transfer to/from Bruges: $829
- Kinderdijk & Delft Private Day Trip w/ Transfers: $807
- Private Transfer to/from Brussels: $743
- Private Transfer to/from Antwerp: $592
- Private Transfer to Bruges: $387
- Amsterdam Cruise Port: Private Transfer to The Hague hotels: $335
- Amsterdam and Rotterdam: 1-Way Private Transfer: $312
- Rotterdam: Private transfer to/from Schiphol Airport: $312
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Dordrecht: $288
- Private Direct Transfer from Amsterdam to Bruges: $274
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Airport Amsterdam to Den Haag: $273
- Layover Sightseeing Tour with Airport Transfer: $268
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
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Amsterdam or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Amsterdam 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 dayAmsterdam $47San Juan $36
Typical Food Prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:
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Afternoon Tea$6.43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.
- Food Tour Amsterdam (Tip Based): $5.46
- Amsterdam Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood : $8.19
- Self-Guided Food Tour in De Jordaan Neighbourhood: $13
- Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood: $13
- Self-Guided Food Tour of Amsterdam's De Jordaan District: $14
- Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam with Set Lunch or Dinner: $31
- Exclusive Burger Dinner Cruise: $32
- Dinner Cruise with Fries Bitterballen and Drink from Amsterdam: $38
- Pizza Cruise with Drinks: $40
- Evening Canal Cruise with Pizza and Drinks: $43
- Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket with A GOLD MENU Hard Rock Dinner: $43
- Food Tour Jordaan District: $51
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.Amsterdam $40San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Amsterdam
Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Two tickets to the Houseboat Museum$6.43
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Entry for two to the Anne Frank House$18
Tours and Activities in Amsterdam
Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Amsterdam (Museum Quarter) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Anne Frank Story & Neighborhood Walk Tour in Amsterdam: $46
- Cheese, Wine with Unlimited Drinks in Amsterdam Luxury Cruise: $54
- 1 Hour Amsterdam Canal Cruise with Audio Guide: $20
- 1 Hour Canal Cruise in Amsterdam: $22
- 1,5 hours Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $164
- 1-Hour Canal Cruise in the Evening : $22
- 2 Hour Exclusive Canal Boat Cruise w/ Dutch snacks & Onboard Bar: $43
- 2 Hour Exclusive Canal Cruise: Including drinks & Dutch snacks: $63
- 2 Hours Private Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $213
- 2-Hour Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour: $131
- 2-hour Red Light District and Old Town Walking Tour in Amsterdam: $49
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 dayAmsterdam $25San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bar Crawl with Shots and Beer Maid Guide: $25
- Red Light District Pub Crawl: $27
- Central Pub Crawl and Nightlife Experience: $27
- Central Pub Crawl and Nightlife Experience: $27
- Original Pub Crawl Party with VIP Entrance: $29
- Chateau Urban Wine Tasting and optional bites: $32
- Original Amsterdam Pub Crawl: $33
- Self-guided Red Light District Pub Crawl Mystery: $38
- Leidseplein and Red Light Pub Crawl: 2 Night Pass: $38
- Red Light District and Local Pub Tour: $39
- Dutch Cheese and Wine Tasting: $43
- Dutch Wine Tasting || Amsterdam City Centre: $48
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 comparing the travel costs between Amsterdam and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Amsterdam is in Europe and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amsterdam Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or San Juan?
Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam or San Juan?
Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Amsterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In July, Amsterdam is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Amsterdam. In the summer, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
Amsterdam usually gets less rain in July than San Juan. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 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 JulyAmsterdam 17°C (62°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Amsterdam or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and San Juan. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Amsterdam is much colder than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, 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. Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Amsterdam gets 99 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. In October, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than San Juan. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 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 OctoberAmsterdam 11°C (51°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Amsterdam or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as San Juan. The winter months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
The weather in Amsterdam can be very cold. In the winter, Amsterdam is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Amsterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the winter, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Amsterdam usually gets more rain in January than San Juan. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 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 JanuaryAmsterdam 2°C (36°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Amsterdam or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Amsterdam is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than San Juan. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (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 AprilAmsterdam 8°C (46°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Amsterdam
| Amsterdam | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 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.