Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Brussels?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Brussels 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 Brussels 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: Brussels or San Juan?
Brussels
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and also the sight of the headquarters of the European Union. Generally speaking, it's an expensive city that sees a good amount of travelers. It is also a highly political city that has an air of importance and power. It's an incredibly international city, with people from all over the world flocking to it due to its political, economical, and cultural significance.
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 Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBrussels $147San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Brussels is $147, 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 Brussels and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBrussels $78San Juan $124
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBrussels $156San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Brussels and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Brussels 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: Brussels Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Brussels $18San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:
-
Subway Pass$4.82
-
Atomium train ticket (2)$8.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brussels
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:
- Private Transfer from Brussels to Amsterdam: $505
- Brussels Airport (BRU) To Amsterdam: VIP Transfer: $495
- Private Arrival Transfer from Brussels to Amsterdam by Luxury car: $295
- Private Transfer From Brussels To Amsterdam, Stop in Utrecht: $282
- Brussels Shuttle Transfer <-> Disneyland Paris (1 to 8 SEATS): $280
- Private Direct Transfer from Brussels to Amsterdam: $257
- VIP Transfer between Brussels Airport (BRU) and Antwerp: $248
- Private VIP Transfer to/from Bruges: $246
- Private Transfer from Brussels to Luxembourg with Luxury car: $234
- Private Transfer From Brussels To Circuit SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS Belgium Luxury car : $191
- Transfer Shuttle Leuven <-> Amsterdam (1 to 8 Places): $175
- Private Transfert from Bruges to Brussels Airport By Business car: $164
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 Brussels or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Brussels 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 dayBrussels $41San Juan $36
Typical Food Prices in Brussels
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brussels:
-
Ice Cream & Macaroons$4.93
-
Dessert (Turkish Delights)$5.09
-
Cheese$6.00
-
Olives and Snacks$7.48
-
Waffle$3.21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brussels
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Brussels.
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $28
- Chocolate and Beer Food Tour of Brussels: $43
- City Center Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $61
- Food Tour in Brussels - Do Eat Better Experience: $106
- Brussels Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $130
- Secret Food Tours Brussels: $138
- Market Tour and Cooking Lesson with a Belgian Gourmet Meal in a Brussels Home: $160
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $164
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.Brussels $25San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Brussels
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beer Tasting Tour in Brussels: $24
- Brussels Walking Tour with Waffle Tasting: History and Delights: $23
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.27
- Christmas Gems of Brussels - Walking Tour: $261
- 2-Hour Brussels Guided Walking Tour: $15
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in the templar village of Lissewege: $75
- 4 Hour Private Tour in Brussels : $273
- 600 Years of History and Heritage: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Leuven: $5.99
- A Self-Guided Tour of Brussels' Secret Places and Untold Stories: $5.99
- A Self-Guided Tour of From Medieval to Modern Times: $7.99
- A Self-Guided Tour of Medieval to Modern Times: $7.99
- A day in the life of Brussels - Private tour with a local: $148
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.
- 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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBrussels $14San Juan $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Brussels are as follows:
-
Bottle of Wine$11
-
Beer$6.43
Sample the Local Flavors in Brussels
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:
- Brussels Pub Crawl - Nightlife & Party Experience: $17
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Party Experience: $18
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brussels and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Brussels much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brussels is in Europe 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 Brussels would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Brussels 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 Brussels.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Brussels Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Brussels or San Juan?
Brussels has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Brussels 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 Brussels or San Juan?
Brussels 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 Brussels or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Brussels during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brussels this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Brussels is much colder than San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 18°C (65°F) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Brussels often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
Brussels usually gets less rain in July than San Juan. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyBrussels 18°C (65°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Brussels or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and San Juan. Many travelers come to Brussels for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Brussels is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Brussels in October average around 12°C (54°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Brussels gets 114 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, Brussels usually receives less rain than San Juan. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBrussels 12°C (54°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Brussels or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Brussels as well as San Juan. Many visitors come to Brussels in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Brussels can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Brussels is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 3°C (38°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the winter, Brussels often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Brussels usually gets more rain in January than San Juan. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBrussels 3°C (38°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Brussels or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Brussels 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.
Brussels is much colder than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 10°C (49°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Brussels usually receives less rain than San Juan. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilBrussels 10°C (49°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Brussels
| Brussels | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (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.