A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bonn vs. San Juan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bonn or San Juan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Bonn 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: Bonn or San Juan?

Bonn

Bonn was the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (previously, West Germany) and it has a population of about 315,000 people. It sits on the Rhine River just twenty kilometers away from Cologne. Many people travel to Bonn for conferences and business, but Bonn also has a lot of cultural and historical sights to offer visitors. The city is also famous as the birth place of Ludwig van Beethoven. There's a strong student culture in the city as well, and it actually shares many characteristics with Italian cities because of its many cafes and restaurants which line the streets. Outdoor beer gardens are popular and Bonn is a particular good summer destination when the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy the outdoor setting. The city's location also makes it a great base for day trips to Cologne, Dusseldorf, and the Rhine and Eifel regions.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.


Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Bonn?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bonn is $165, 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 Bonn and San Juan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bonn $91
    San Juan $124
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bonn $182
    San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Bonn and San Juan

Looking for a hotel in Bonn 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.

Hotels in Bonn


Hotels in San Juan


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: Bonn Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bonn $24
    San Juan $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonn

Also for Bonn, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Bonn hotels Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan

Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $272
  • San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $272
  • Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
  • Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
  • Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
  • Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Bonn or San Juan?

Prices for flights to both San Juan and Bonn 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bonn $52
    San 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:

  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bonn $37
    San Juan $49

Tours and Activities in Bonn

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bonn.

  • Autumn tours with a live guide: $20
  • Bonn : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $121
  • Bonn : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $52
  • Bonn Crime-Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Bonn Musikerviertel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Bonn Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $223
  • Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.58
  • Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Bonn Self Guided City Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $7.31
  • Bonn Walking Tour (In the footsteps of Ludwig Van Beethoven): $323
  • Bonn and Bad Godesberg hop-on hop-off tour in a double-decker bus: $22
  • 1.5-Hour River Cruise on the Rhine: $20

Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan

For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Horseback Riding Tour
    $40
  • Full Day Snorkeling Trip
    $100
  • 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
  • 1 or 2 Hour Puerto Rico Horseback Ride Experience!: $210
  • Arenales Caves, Waterfall & River Swimming Adventure: $140
  • Arte Boriken-Urban Art & Beach Sip & Paint Tour: $145
  • Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
  • Black Sand Beach- See The Southeast of Puerto Rico Private Tour: $150
  • Carolina: ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch with Guide: $136
  • Craft Beer Private Tour in San Juan: $168
  • Cruise Ship Travelers: Hike to a Hidden Puerto Rican Waterfall: $85
  • Culebra Beach Day Tour with Snorkeling from San Juan by Ferry: $200
  • Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo: $175

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bonn $24
    San 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 comparing the travel costs between Bonn 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 Bonn 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 Bonn Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bonn or San Juan?

San Juan has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Bonn 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 Bonn or San Juan?

Bonn 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 Bonn or San Juan in the Summer?

Both San Juan and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Bonn because of the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Bonn is cooler than San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

It's quite sunny in San Juan. Bonn usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Bonn gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bonn usually receives less rain than San Juan. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bonn 19°C (66°F) 
    San Juan 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Bonn or San Juan in the Autumn?

Both San Juan and Bonn during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Bonn this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.

In the autumn, Bonn is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bonn in October average around 12°C (53°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).

In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Bonn often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Bonn gets 109 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.

San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bonn usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bonn 12°C (53°F) 
    San Juan 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Bonn or San Juan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and San Juan. Many travelers come to Bonn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bonn. In January, Bonn is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 3°C (37°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Bonn usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Bonn gets 45 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bonn usually receives less rain than San Juan. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bonn 3°C (37°F) 
    San Juan 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Bonn or San Juan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bonn as well as San Juan. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.

Bonn is much colder than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the spring, Bonn often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Bonn gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.

Bonn usually gets less rain in April than San Juan. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bonn 10°C (50°F) 
    San Juan 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for San Juan and Bonn

Bonn San Juan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 47 mm (1.8 in) 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Sep 16°C (61°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov 7°C (44°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)