Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Blue Ridge?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge 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: Blue Ridge or San Juan?
Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge is a resort town, located in the northern part of Georgia in the vicinity of the Blue Ridge Mountain region of the Appalachian Mountain chain. It is a popular destination for outdoor adventures like hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and even whitewater rafting. Whether you wish to stay in a cozy cabin or luxury resort, the environment is one enveloped by the natural beauty of mountain scenery.
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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBlue Ridge $124San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Blue Ridge is $124, 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 Blue Ridge and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBlue Ridge $67San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBlue Ridge $134San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Blue Ridge and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Blue Ridge 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: Blue Ridge Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Blue Ridge $34San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers from San Juan to Adjuntas or Utuado: $113
- Transfer from San Juan to South coast- Ponce or Guanica: $250
- Transfer from San Juan to Río Grande, Loíza or Luquillo: $135
- Transfer from San Juan to Ceiba (Vieques/Culebra) or Fajardo: $80
- Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
- Airport Private Transfer from/to City Hotels: $70
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $280
- San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel : $50
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $280
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Arrival Private Transfer: $47
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla Y Luxury SUV, Select Zone: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Blue Ridge or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Blue Ridge 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 dayBlue Ridge $35San Juan $36
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: $99
- Elevated Dinner Experience (4 Courses) City Lights & Ocean Breeze: $155
- 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
- Private Local Food Tour in San Juan: $285
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Blue Ridge $18San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Blue Ridge
For Blue Ridge, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hour Culture Tour in Helen: $29
- 2-Hour Helen Haunts and History Walk Tour: $29
- Helen Ghosts, Voodoo & Haunted Trails Tour: $25
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.
- Full-Day Tour: El Yunque, Luquillo Beach, Bio Bay Night Kayaking: $155
- Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan: $65
- (Private) El Yunque Half-Day Tour with Transport / 7AM or 12PM: $110
- (Small Group) El Yunque HalfDay Tour with Transport / 7AM or 12PM: $105
- 1 or 2 Hour Puerto Rico Horseback Ride Experience!: $210
- ATV Single Rider Adventure at Hacienda Campo Rico: $136
- Adventure to a Hidden Waterfall, Private Tour: $185
- Airport transportation to cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, Puerto Rico: $68
- Along The Shore Private Helicopter Tour San Juan Puerto Rico: $295
- Arenales Caves, Waterfall, Spring & River Swimming Adventure: $140
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
- Black Sand Beach- See The Southeast of Puerto Rico Private Tour: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBlue Ridge $20San Juan $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Blue Ridge and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Blue Ridge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Blue Ridge Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Blue Ridge or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 350 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge or San Juan?
Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Blue Ridge and San Juan. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Blue Ridge this time of year. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Blue Ridge is around the same temperature as San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Blue Ridge, it's very sunny this time of the year. Blue Ridge usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Blue Ridge gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
Blue Ridge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than San Juan. Blue Ridge gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBlue Ridge 81°F (27°C)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Blue Ridge or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Blue Ridge as well as San Juan. Many travelers come to Blue Ridge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In the autumn, Blue Ridge is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Blue Ridge in October average around 63°F (17°C), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Blue Ridge this time of the year. In the autumn, Blue Ridge often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Blue Ridge gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. Blue Ridge usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. Blue Ridge gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBlue Ridge 63°F (17°C)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Blue Ridge or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Blue Ridge are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Blue Ridge in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Blue Ridge can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Blue Ridge is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 40°F (5°C), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Blue Ridge usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Blue Ridge gets 145 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Blue Ridge. In January, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than San Juan. Blue Ridge gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBlue Ridge 40°F (5°C)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Blue Ridge or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Blue Ridge during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Blue Ridge for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Blue Ridge is much colder than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Blue Ridge. In the spring, Blue Ridge often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Blue Ridge gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in April than San Juan. Blue Ridge gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBlue Ridge 62°F (17°C)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Blue Ridge
| Blue Ridge | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 44°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 53°F (12°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 62°F (17°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 78°F (25°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 80°F (27°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 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.