Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Brussels?
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 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 Tours for Seniors to Belgium, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Belgium.
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Brussels Prices
Belgium PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBrussels $191San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Brussels is $191, 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 Brussels and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBrussels $85San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBrussels $170San 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Brussels $19San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:
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Subway Pass$5.21
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Atomium train ticket (2)$9.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brussels
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:
- Brussels & Atomium: Private Tour with Transfer and Tasting: $813
- Private transfer from Brussels to Amsterdam, 2h Stop in Antwerp: $300
- Private Transfer from Brussels Airport (BRU) to IJmuiden Port: $296
- Private Transfer from Brussels Airport or city to Rotterdam By Business car: $293
- VIP Transfer between Brussels Airport (BRU) and Antwerp: $268
- Private transfer from Brussels to Ostend, 2h Sightseeing Stop: $259
- Private Transfer from Brussels hotels to Zeebrugge Cruise Port: $241
- Private Arrival Transfer from Brussels to Maastricht by Business car: $210
- Private transfer on arrival from Brussels Airport to Ghent by luxury car: $206
- Brussels Airport(BRU) to Brussels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $190
- Private transfer From Charleroi airport to Bruges by luxury car: $187
- Private Arrival Transfer from Brussels Airport to Bruges with Business car: $177
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer to Cruise Ships, Hotels, Airbnb in San Juan: $75
- Departure Transfer from Old San Juan to to SJU Airport by Car: $86
- Dorado Transfers: $75
- Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $289
- HandyCap Airport Transfer to Isla Verde, Condado or Ocean Park: $100
- HandyCap Transfer Airport to Dorado, Rio Grande or Luquillo: $270
- Luxury Puerto Rico Private Transfers: $220
- Premium Transfer Service FROM or TO Rio Grande Puerto Rico: $50
- Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
- Private Transfer Airport SJU to Old San Juan Vice versa One way: $65
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to Humacao Hotels: $180
- Private Transfer from San Juan Airport (SJU) to Ponce Cruise Port: $76
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
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Food Meals for one dayBrussels $76San Juan $62
Typical Food Prices in Brussels
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brussels:
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Ice Cream & Macaroons$5.33
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Dessert (Turkish Delights)$5.50
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Cheese$6.49
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Olives and Snacks$8.09
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Waffle$3.47
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: $33
- Chocolate and Beer Food Tour of Brussels: $46
- City Center Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $74
- Brussels Food Tour: Main Dish, Beer, Waffle & Chocolate: $93
- Walking Food Tour with Chocolate, Beer, & Waffles: $111
- Brussels Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $112
- Brussels Food Tour: 10 Tastings of Waffles, Beers, Fries & More: $127
- Food Tour of 10 Tastings - Waffles, Beers & More: $147
- Brussels Private Food Tour: Waffles, Fries, Beer & Local History: $152
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $183
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 Gastronomy Cooking Class: $167
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Fly Dining 4 Course Sunset and City Light Dinner Over San Juan: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Brussels $27San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Brussels
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "From Waterloo Battlefield History Private Tour: $500
- 2-Hour Walking Tour in Fall and Rise of Art Nouveau: $18
- 3-Hours Private Sightseeing Trip in Brussels: $241
- A Self-Guided Tour of Brussels' Secret Places and Untold Stories: $15
- A Self-Guided Tour of From Medieval to Modern Times: $12
- A day in the life of Brussels - Private tour with a local: $159
- Architecture Tour of Brussels: $29
- Axe Throwing Experience: $20
- Battle of the Bulge & Gen Patton Private Tour from Brussels: $1,454
- Belgian Beer World Experience and GoPhoto ticket included: $31
- Belgian Beer World Experience: Beer Tasting + Rooftop Beer: $21
- Belgium: Discover the best of Brussels on our guided tour: $29
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.
- The Ultimate Self-Guided Hidden Gems Tour in Puerto Rico: $5.00
- San Juan’s Historic Streets Audio Guided Walking Tour: $12
- Transportation in San Juan, Isla verde, Condado, Hotels, Cruises & Airbnb's SJU: $14
- Outdoor Salsa Class Experience in San Juan: $19
- San Juan Ghost Tour: Shrieks in the Sugarcane: $26
- Explore Old San Juan Walking Tour: $30
- Paddleboard Adventure: Explore Marine Life in Condado Lagoon: $35
- San Juan Guided Turtle Snorkel Tour and Complimentary Videos: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BACARDÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- Top Rated El Yunque Rainforest & Waterslide – SmallGroup Tour: $45
- 1 Hour Bull Maze Adventure at Toroverde Urban Park San Juan: $45
- Ron del Barrilito Heritage Skip-the-Line Tour: $46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBrussels $15San Juan $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Brussels are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$12
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Beer$6.95
Sample the Local Flavors in Brussels
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:
- BBQ Experience with Burger & Beer in a Brewery: $15
- Brussels Pub Crawl - Nightlife & Party Experience: $18
- Immersive Brewery Tour with Beer Tastings - Brussels Area: $18
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Party Experience: $23
- micro brewery & distillery tour + beer tasting: $29
- micro brewery & distillery tour + beer tasting: $29
- Discovery of the La Senne Brewery: $31
- Beer & Chocolate Tasting in a Micro Brewery-Distillery: $53
- Sip the Unexpected at a Hidden Leuven Brewery: $59
- Beer Pong in a Micro Brewery and Distillery: $76
- Beer Pong Session at a Micro Brewery & Distillery: $76
- Lambic Brewery Hopping in the South of Brussels: $116
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
- Puerto Rico Tobacco Farm and Local Brewery Tour: $109
- Puerto Rico's First and Only Craft Beer Brewery Tour!: $150
When comparing the travel costs between Brussels 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 Brussels 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 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.