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.
Jump to 
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.
-
Cancun Prices
Mexico PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCancun $162San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Cancun is $162, 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
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCancun $94San Juan $124
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCancun $188San 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cancun $17San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cancun
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cancun:
-
Taxi Around Town$1.61
-
Airport Shuttle (for 2)$13
-
Ferry to Isla de Mujeres (for 2)$16
-
Local Bus (for 2)$1.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cancun
Also for Cancun, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Akumal One Way or Roundtrip Private Luxury Transfer: $291
- Cancun Airport to Tulum Roundtrip Private Transfer: $290
- Private Transfer Cancun Airport to Chiquilá Holbox Ferry: $279
- Limo Transfer Airport Cancun - Puerto Morelos Hotel Zone: $279
- Full-Day Tour to Xcaret Plus with Transfer from Playa del Carmen and Lunch: $265
- Private Transfer roundtrip (Cancun Airport-Akumal): $259
- Luxury Transfers in a Mercedes Maybach GLS 600: $232
- Holbox Private Transfer from Cancun Hotels or Airport: $229
- Airport Transfers to Costa Mujeres - Private van (ROUND TRIP) FLAT RATE: $228
- Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $220
- Private One Way Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $220
- Private round airport transfer from Cancun - Puerto Aventuras - airport.: $210
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from San Juan to Rincon or Rincon to San Juan: $167
- Transfer from San Juan to Ponce or Ponce to San Juan: $150
- Transfer from San Juan to Humacao or Humacao to San Juan: $80
- 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
- Transfer SJU Airport to Cruise Port / Vice Versa in Old S.J ONLY: $65
- Transfer Ceiba Port Vieques and Culebra to San Juan Area or San Juan to Ceiba Po: $125
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $58
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- San Juan Puerto Rico Private Luxury Transfers: $105
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $58
- San Juan PR Transfer in Luxury SUV (Airports,Ports,Hotel,Airbnb): $103
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
-
Food Meals for one dayCancun $48San Juan $62
Typical Food Prices in Cancun
For Cancun, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch for Two$20
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: $61
- Cancun Street Food Tour with Food Stalls, Local Market and Murals: $64
- Tortilla Trails Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $69
- Cancun Food Tour - Taco Attack: Street Food & Tequila Tasting: $69
- Cancun Street Food Tour – Local Market & Downtown Experience: $69
- Salsa Streets Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $69
- Cancun Historic Downtown Food Tour with 7+ Authentic Tastings: $76
- Cancun Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $78
- Cancun Taco & Mexican Food Tour with Tequila Tasting: $79
- Cancun Hands-On Mexican Cooking Class: $79
- Couples Special Price! Cancun Pirate Show with Dinner & Drinks: $80
- Puerto Morelos Walking Food Tour: $82
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:
- Private Puerto Rican Cooking Class in San Juan for Groups: $146
- FlyDining: 4 Course Sunset & City Light Dinner Over Old San Juan: $159
- FlyDining: 4 Courses Dinner with City Lights & Ocean Breeze: $165
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour: $179
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cancun $34San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cancun
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cancun's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Seasick Pills$0.58
-
Whale Shark Tour (for 2)$98
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: $40
- 1 Day Tour to Bacalar, Cenotes and 7 color Lagoon with lunch from Cancun: $125
- 1-Day Tour to Bacalar with Kayaking, Marmol Beach Club and Cenote: $119
- 1-hour Clear Boat Tour in Nichupte Lagoon from Cancun: $22
- 2 Day Combo Tour, Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor and Chichen Itza Option: $280
- 2 Islands Tour - Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres from Playa del Carmen: $160
- 2 in 1 Parasailing and Jet Sky Tour in Cancun: $140
- 2-day tour: Isla Mujeres catamaran and Chichen Itzá: $118
- 2x1 Tulum tour and Chichen Itza tour for 1 price in 2 days: $139
- 3 adrenaline activities Atvs Zipline and a swim experience in a cenote: $60
- 3 in 1 Tour to Coba Cenote and Maya Village: $139
- 3-Hour Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Cancun: $87
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.
- 1 Hour Bull Maze Adventure at Toroverde Urban Park San Juan: $45
- 1 Hour Historical UTV Tour in San Juan: $200
- 1)El Yunque Rainforest and Famous Luquillo Beach Experience: $96
- 2 Tours in 1 Day: Rainforest Waterslides & Beach Tour w/Transport: $60
- 3 Tours in 1 Day: Old San Juan, Rainforest, Beach with Transport: $65
- ATV Double Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $221
- ATV Single Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $149
- Adventure Water Bike in Condado Lagoon, San Juan: $60
- Bio Bay Magic and Rum Tasting Tour from San Juan: $250
- Bio Bay Night Kayak Tour with Transport from San Juan: $125
- BioBay Kayak Tour with San Juan Roundtrip Transportation: $179
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCancun $13San 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:
- Bar Crawl Madness Tour in Cancun: $115
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 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.