Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Ayutthaya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Ayutthaya or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ayutthaya 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: Ayutthaya or San Juan?
Ayutthaya
Once the largest city in the world, Ayutthaya, is the example of an ancient capital within a modern city. Located in the central plains of Thailand, this spot is ideally located between China, India and the Malay Archipelago creating the perfect place for trade in Asia. Eighteenth century maps from Holland and France show golden palaces, large ceremony spots and trading vessels from all over the world. Suddenly, in 1767, Ayutthaya experienced a tragic fall from grace with a Burmese invasion burning much of the city to the ground.
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 Cultural Tours in Thailand, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand.
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Ayutthaya Prices
Thailand PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAyutthaya $86San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Ayutthaya is $86, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $218. 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 Ayutthaya and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAyutthaya $24San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAyutthaya $48San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Ayutthaya and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Ayutthaya 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: Ayutthaya Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ayutthaya $29San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ayutthaya
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:
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River Ferry Crossing$0.63
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
- Premium Transfer in Airport, Hotel, Airbnb, Cruise: $25
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- San Juan hotels to San Juan PR Cruise Port - Departure Transfer: $30
- San Juan One-way Transfer - Cruise, SJU, Hotels, Airbnb: $30
- Private Transfer Puerto Rico:To or From Airports, Hotels &Cruises: $33
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, Tesla 3 Luxury Sedan.: $56
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports: $66
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Roundtrip-Transfer in Puerto Rico: From Airports, Hotels, Cruises: $71
- Airport Transfer to Cruise Ships, Hotels, Airbnb in San Juan: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Ayutthaya or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Ayutthaya 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 dayAyutthaya $39San Juan $62
Typical Food Prices in Ayutthaya
Some typical examples of dining costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:
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Lunch for 2$4.40
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Ice Cream$0.94
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Breakfast for 2$4.40
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Breakfast for 2$11
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:
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $165
- FlyDining: Sunset & City Lights Dinner Over Old San Juan: $165
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Cooking and Connecting with a Local in Puerto Rico: $173
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ayutthaya $31San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ayutthaya
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Ayutthaya are as follows:
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Temple Entrances (2)$6.28
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Wat Entrance$1.57
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.
- Transportation in San Juan, Isla verde, Condado, Hotels, Cruises & Airbnb's SJU: $14
- San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Eco Friendly Farming Tour to Explore Dorado's Most Beautiful Farm: $20
- Discover Superb Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $23
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Local Certified Guide: $25
- San Juan Ghost Tour: Shrieks in the Sugarcane: $32
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Historic Old San Juan Sunset Walking Tour: $39
- Top Rated El Yunque Rainforest & Waterslide – VIP SmallGroup Tour: $45
- Ron del Barrilito Heritage Skip-the-Line Tour: $46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAyutthaya $21San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Old San Juan Bar Crawl: Experience Local Hotspots: $65
- The Pinones Pub crawl Bar crawl : $70
- Local Puerto Rican Rum Distillery Tour - Ron Pepon: $90
- Puerto Rico's First and Only Craft Beer Brewery Tour! : $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ayutthaya and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Ayutthaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ayutthaya is in Asia 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 Ayutthaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ayutthaya 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 Ayutthaya.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ayutthaya Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya 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 Ayutthaya 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 Ayutthaya or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ayutthaya as well as San Juan. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Ayutthaya receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ayutthaya usually gets more rain in July than San Juan. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 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. In the summer, Ayutthaya often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Ayutthaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
Ayutthaya is around the same temperature as San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAyutthaya 29°C (84°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Ayutthaya or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Ayutthaya are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Ayutthaya is October to April. The rainy season in Ayutthaya is May to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. It's quite rainy in Ayutthaya. In October, Ayutthaya usually receives more rain than San Juan. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 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 Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Ayutthaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Ayutthaya is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ayutthaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAyutthaya 28°C (82°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Ayutthaya or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Ayutthaya during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ayutthaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in January than San Juan. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 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 Ayutthaya. In the winter, Ayutthaya often gets more sunshine than San Juan. Ayutthaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
In January, Ayutthaya is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 25°C (78°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAyutthaya 25°C (78°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Ayutthaya or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and San Juan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya. In April, Ayutthaya usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 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 Ayutthaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ayutthaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during spring. Ayutthaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's very hot in Ayutthaya this time of the year. Ayutthaya is a little warmer than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAyutthaya 31°C (88°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Ayutthaya
| Ayutthaya | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (78°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (85°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (85°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 292 mm (11.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 13 mm (0.5 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.