Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Bilbao?
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 Bilbao or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bilbao and San Juan. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Bilbao or San Juan?
Bilbao
The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.
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Bilbao Prices
Spain PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBilbao $194San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Bilbao is $194, 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 Bilbao and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBilbao $82San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBilbao $164San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Bilbao and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Bilbao 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: Bilbao Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bilbao $30San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:
- Private Transfer from Bilbao to San Sebastian: $298
- Private Transfer from Bilbao city to San Sebastian Airport: $298
- Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Logroño city: $272
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Logroño: $272
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Logroño Airport : $272
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Pamplona Airport : $256
- Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Pamplona city: $256
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Pamplona: $256
- Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Laguardia town: $221
- Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Elciego town: $221
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Laguardia town: $221
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Bilbao Cruise Port: $220
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer SJU Airport to Old San Juan by SUV: $125
- Arrival Private Transfer SJU Airport to Old San Juan by Sedan: $120
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Departure Transfer from Old San Juan to to SJU Airport by Car: $86
- Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $279
- From Private Transfer to Ceiba Ferry Terminal: $99
- HandyCap Transfer Airport to Dorado, Rio Grande or Luquillo: $270
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Private Taxi Transfer From SJU Airport to Humacao Palmas Del Mar: $125
- Private Transfer Puerto Rico:To or From Airports, Hotels &Cruises: $33
- Private Transfer San Juan from or to SJU Airport, Hotel, Cruises: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Bilbao or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Bilbao 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 dayBilbao $88San Juan $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.
- Basque Food Tour with Guide: $96
- The High End Bilbao Food Tour for Foodies: $97
- Bilbao Food Tour with Pintxos & Drinks with a Local: $101
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairings: $103
- Bilbao Food Tour: Pintxos, Drinks, and Tapas with a Local: $103
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class: $108
- The High End Food Tour of Bilbao with a Local: $108
- The Award-Winning Bilbao Food Tour & Wine Pairing by Basque Local: $119
- Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $142
- Immersive Basque Cooking Class: $159
- Small-group Immersive Basque Cooking Class in Bilbao with Open Bar: $174
- Private Guided Street Food Tour of Bilbao: $176
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:
- Puerto Rican food tasting and beginner cooking Tour: $79
- From Pinones Beach & Bar Hopping Food Tour: $85
- Puerto Rico Secret Food Tour of Old San Juan: $115
- San Juan Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $139
- Private San Juan Cooking Class with a Local Expert: $146
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $165
- Ponce: Walking Tour with Castillo Serrallés Visit and Dinner: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bilbao $33San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Bilbao
Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Pintxos Tasting in Bilbao Small Group or Private Walking Tour: $98
- Year of Love in Quest Experience: $12
- 2 Hours Private Family Guided Walking Tour in Bilbao: $208
- 3-day Bilbao Bike Tour and Guggenheim Museum Ticket: $291
- Awesome Bilbao – Private Family Walking Tour: $455
- BILBAO-City Highlights Bike Tour: $41
- Basque Country 7-Day Guided Tour from Bilbao: $1,265
- Bilbao & Guggenheim Private Walking Tour from Hotel/Center: $297
- Bilbao - Private Historic walking tour: $398
- Bilbao 3-Day Package: Guggenheim, Hotel Stay and Bike Tour: $285
- Bilbao : Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $51
- Bilbao All Iron Tour: Guggenheim and San Mamés with Lunch: $284
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.
- San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Outdoor Salsa Class Experience in San Juan: $19
- Legends of Puerto Rico Haunted Walking Tour: $24
- Tour de Viejo San Juan en Español: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Local Certified Guide: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- Old San Juan Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Explore Old San Juan Walking Tour: $30
- Old San Juan History & Culture (Open Walking Tour): $35
- Urban Park Sky Bull Zipline Experience: $39
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBilbao $24San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao
Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Unique Spanish Wine Tasting with Sommelier - In Bilbao: $51
- Basque Wine Tasting with Sommelier (Bilbao): $52
- Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo, Mundaka, Gernika, & Wine Tour: $56
- From La Rioja Wineries Day Trip with Wine Tastings: $85
- Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide: $97
- Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $188
- Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $191
- Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $199
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Bilbao: $232
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Bilbao: $278
- From Rioja Architecture and Wine Tour: $278
- From Private San Sebastian, Pintxo, and Wine Tour: $281
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
- Puerto Rico: Ocean Lab Brewery and Tobaco Farm Tour: $139
When comparing the travel costs between Bilbao 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 Bilbao 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 Bilbao Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bilbao or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao 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 Bilbao or San Juan?
Bilbao 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 Bilbao or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Bilbao during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In July, Bilbao is generally cooler than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 20°C (68°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
Bilbao usually gets less rain in July than San Juan. Bilbao gets 51 mm (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 JulyBilbao 20°C (68°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and San Juan. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Bilbao is much colder than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 16°C (62°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. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Bilbao gets 125 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. Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Bilbao usually receives less rain than San Juan. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 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 OctoberBilbao 16°C (62°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as San Juan. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In the winter, Bilbao is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bilbao in January average around 9°C (48°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, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bilbao usually gets more rain in January than San Juan. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 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 JanuaryBilbao 9°C (48°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the activities around the city during these months. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Bilbao is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 12°C (54°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In April, Bilbao usually receives more rain than San Juan. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 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 AprilBilbao 12°C (54°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Bilbao
| Bilbao | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (51°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (62°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 135 mm (5.3 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.