Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Canberra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Canberra or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Canberra 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: Canberra or San Juan?
Canberra
There is something special about the capital city of Australia. Canberra's not just a wonderful spot for outdoor adventures. It's a city completely designed and built up around the coast of an artificial lake. When architects Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin proposed their plans for Canberra it was met with a lot of criticism. Many people thought it would be a "waste of a good sheep pasture."
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 Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCanberra $135San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Canberra is $135, 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 Canberra and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCanberra $83San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCanberra $166San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Canberra and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Canberra 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: Canberra Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Canberra $25San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Canberra
Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Guided Tour of Floriade Festival with Transfers: $118
- Private Transfer from Canberra city hotels to Eden Cruise Port: $82
- Private Transfer from Canberra Airport CBR to Eden Cruise Port : $82
- Canberra Airport (CBR) to Canberra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Canberra to Canberra Int Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $34
- Canberra Int'l Airport to Canberra - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $272
- San Juan One-way Transfer: $30
- San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel : $50
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $272
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla Y Luxury SUV, Select Zone: $77
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla S Lux Sedan, Select Zone: $79
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Canberra or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Canberra 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 dayCanberra $35San Juan $36
Typical Food Prices in Canberra
For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$17
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Canberra $17San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Canberra
For Canberra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour in Canberra: $30
- Australian Institute of Sport: The AIS Tour: $14
- Best of Wildlife and Birds Tour: $98
- Building + Architecture Tour | 10am Daily: $13
- Canberra Floriade Tour: $118
- Canberra Small Group Winery Tour: $149
- Beer, Wine, and Spirits Tasting Tour: $112
- Best of Wildlife Tour: $89
- City Highlights Day Tour with Entrance Fees: $118
- Capital Christmas: Private Festive Tour in Canberra: $646
- Discover Canberra’s Heritage: A Full-Day Private Tour: $870
- Discover Pearls of Canberra - Private Walking Tour: $133
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
- 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCanberra $16San Juan $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Canberra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:
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Drinks at a Bar$9.25
Sample the Local Flavors in Canberra
Also in Canberra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Canberra Brewery and Beer Tour in 3 Hours: $99
- Canberra Brewery Winery and Distillery Tour: $112
- Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $122
- CanBEERa Explorer: Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $123
- From Winery, Distillery, & Tasting Tour with Lunch: $149
- Canberra Wine Tour: $158
- Full-Day Canberra Brewery, Wineries & Distillery tour /w lunch: $162
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 Canberra and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Canberra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Canberra is in Pacific 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 Canberra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Canberra 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 Canberra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Canberra Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Canberra or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Canberra 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 Canberra or San Juan?
Canberra 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 Canberra or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and San Juan. The summer months attract visitors to Canberra because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Canberra is generally cooler than San Juanin July. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 20°C (68°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
In January, Canberra usually receives less rain than San Juanin July. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) 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 January and JulyCanberra 20°C (68°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Canberra or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Canberra as well as San Juan. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Canberra this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Canberra is much colder than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. Canberra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Canberra usually gets less rain in April than San Juanin October. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) 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 April and OctoberCanberra 17°C (63°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Canberra or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Canberra 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.
In the winter, Canberra is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Canberra in July average around 11°C (52°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
In July, Canberra usually receives less rain than San Juanin January. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) 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 July and JanuaryCanberra 11°C (52°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Canberra or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Canberra during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Canberra in the spring for the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In October, Canberra is generally much colder than San Juanin April. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 15°C (60°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Canberra usually gets more rain in October than San Juanin April. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) 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 October and AprilCanberra 15°C (60°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Canberra
| Canberra | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (67°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (54°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (53°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (60°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.