Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Cancun?
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 Cancun or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cancun and San Juan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cancun or San Juan?
Cancun
In the northeast corner of the Mexican Caribbean, Cancun is one of Mexico's most popular destinations. The area that is now Cancun was actually selected specifically by the Mexican government for development as a tourist destination. The area was chosen because it has fourteen miles of beautiful white beaches, nearby Mayan ruins, and turquoise blue water with nearby snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. Prior to its development as a tourist destination, there were few inhabitants in the area.
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 Playa del Carmen, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun.
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Cancun Prices
Mexico PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCancun $151San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Cancun is $151, 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 Cancun and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCancun $87San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCancun $174San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Cancun and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Cancun 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: Cancun Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cancun $16San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cancun
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cancun:
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Taxi Around Town$1.50
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Airport Shuttle (for 2)$12
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Ferry to Isla de Mujeres (for 2)$15
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Local Bus (for 2)$1.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cancun
Also for Cancun, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Cancun Airport to Holbox: $300
- Akumal One Way or Roundtrip Private Luxury Transfer: $291
- Cancun Airport to Tulum Roundtrip Private Transfer: $290
- Isla Mujeres: Private Round-Trip Transfer and Boat from Cancun: $275
- Private Transfer Cancun Airport to Chiquilá Holbox Ferry: $260
- Cancún Airport (CUN) to Tulum - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $256
- Cancun Airport Private Transfer to Tulum (Round Trip): $250
- Private Transfer from Cancún Airport (CUN) to Tulum: $233
- Cancun Airport Luxury Arrival Transfer in Mercedes Maybach GLS600: $232
- Cozumel: El Cielo & KUZÁ Beach & Adventure Park with Transfer: $221
- Buggy Trip in Cozumel Island with transfer from Riviera Maya: $220
- Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $220
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Transfer SJU Airport to Dorado. Hotels and Airbnb. Vice Versa One Way Trip.: $140
- San Juan hotels to San Juan PR Cruise Port - Departure Transfer: $29
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- San Juan Transfers: $38
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $114
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU)- Departure Transfer: $29
- San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel: $82
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Port Arrival Private Transfer: $57
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $114
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Arrival Private Transfer: $29
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Cancun or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Cancun 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 dayCancun $44San Juan $62
Typical Food Prices in Cancun
For Cancun, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cancun
For Cancun, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour in Cancun with a Local Guide: $59
- Cancun Street Food Tour with Food Stalls, Local Market and Murals: $64
- Columbus Romantic Dinner in Cancún: $64
- Cancun Food Tour: Market 23, Local Flavors & Downtown Culture: $69
- Salsa Streets Cancun Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $69
- Tortilla Trails Cancun Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $69
- Cancun Food Tour - Taco Attack: Street Food & Tequila Tasting: $69
- Cancun Taco & Mexican Food Tour with Tequila Tasting: $70
- 3hr Cooking Class in Cancun with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $75
- Puerto Morelos Walking Food Tour: $76
- Cancun Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $78
- MYST Cancun Tickets Mexican Madness Music Show and Dinner: $79
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 Food Tour with 7 Tastings of Authentic Local Flavors: $140
- Puerto Rican Gastronomy Cooking Class: $167
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour: $179
- FlyDining 4-Course Dinner in Old Sunset or City Lights: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cancun $32San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cancun
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cancun's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Seasick Pills$0.54
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Whale Shark Tour (for 2)$91
Tours and Activities in Cancun
For Cancun, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day ATV, Horse Ride, Ziplines and Cenote Adventure from Cancun: $35
- 2 Day Deluxe Tour Tulum and Chichén Itzá: $120
- 2 in 1 Parasailing and Jet Sky Tour in Cancun: $135
- 2-day tour: Isla Mujeres catamaran and Chichen Itzá: $110
- 20 minutes Jet Pack flight experience in Cancun!: $119
- 3 Hidden Cenotes Experience & Puerto Morelos Reef Snorkeling: $89
- 3 adrenaline activities Atvs Zipline and a swim experience in a cenote: $60
- 3 in 1 Jungle Tour Adventure Cancun: $69
- 3 in 1 Tour to Coba Cenote and Maya Village Riviera Maya: $139
- 3-Hour Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Cancun: $86
- 3-in-1 Tour on Catamaran All-Inclusive to Isla Mujeres Regular: $99
- 4-in-1 Cenote Tour Guided Experience with Breakfast, Lunch & Wine: $159
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.
- 1 Hour Historical UTV Tour in San Juan: $200
- 2 Tours in 1 Day Rainforest and Beach Adventure with Transport: $55
- 3 Tours in 1 Day Old San Juan Rainforest and Beach with Transport: $55
- 3 in 1 Full Day Cueva Ventana, Indian Cave & Waterfall Adventure: $155
- 30-Minute Jet Ski Adventure in the Bay: $100
- ATV Tour in Double Rider, Puerto Rico: $221
- ATV Tour in Single Rider, Puerto Rico: $149
- Arecibo: River and Natural Waterslide Adventure from San Juan: $105
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure Tour from San Juan: $108
- Cave Adventure: Charco Azul Caves, Canyon & Waterfall Adventure: $110
- Cave, Waterfall and River Adventure in Charco Azul from San Juan: $125
- Clear Kayak Tour in Condado Lagoon: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCancun $12San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Cancun
Also in Cancun, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- A bespoke wine tastings crafted for unforgettable moments: $80
- Bar Crawl Madness Tour in Cancun: $115
- Brewery Tour Craft Beer Tasting Cancun Mexico: $130
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cancun and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Cancun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cancun 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 Cancun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cancun 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 Cancun.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cancun Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cancun or San Juan?
Cancun has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Cancun 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.
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.