Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Christchurch?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Christchurch or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Christchurch 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: Christchurch or San Juan?
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.
The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.
Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a year.
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 G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChristchurch $96San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Christchurch is $96, 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 Christchurch and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChristchurch $50San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChristchurch $100San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Christchurch and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Christchurch 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: Christchurch Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Christchurch $15San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Christchurch
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Christchurch:
- Christchurch Airport (CHC): Transfer to Christchurch hotels: $130
- Departure Private Transfers from Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Van: $91
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Van: $91
- Christchurch City Hotels to Airport Transfer - Lowest price 1 to 9 Passengers: $78
- Christchurch Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Christchurch: $69
- Arrival Private Transfer from Airport CHC to Christchurch in Business Car: $66
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Business Car: $66
- Departure Private Transfers from Christchurch to Airport CHC in Business Car: $66
- Christchurch Hotels to Airport Transfer: $51
- Christchurch to Christchurch Airport(CHC)- Departure Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer from Lyttelton Port to Christchurch Airport CHC: $29
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 Christchurch or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Christchurch 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 dayChristchurch $31San Juan $36
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.Christchurch $18San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Christchurch
Here are a few actual costs in Christchurch for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Christchurch Gondola Ride Ticket: $25
- 8 Day Southern Secrets Small Group Tour: $961
- Akaroa Day Tour From Christchurch: $114
- Akaroa Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Christchurch: $151
- Arthur's Pass and TranzAlpine Train Day Tour from Christchurch: $250
- Arthur's Pass: TranzAlpine Train and Castle Hill Day Tour: $237
- Arthurs Pass Day Tour With TranzAlpine and Jet Boat Ride : $229
- Christchurch Gondola and Tram City Tour Combo: $42
- Christchurch International Antarctic Centre Entry Tickets: $35
- Christchurch Scenic Helicopter Tour: $190
- Christchurch Tram City Tour & Punting Combo: $46
- Christchurch Zipline Tour: $120
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.
- 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChristchurch $11San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Christchurch
Also in Christchurch, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Full-Day Wine Tour with Lunch: $102
- All-Inclusive Waipara Region Wine Tour from Christchurch: $106
- From Guided Local Wine Tours in Waipara: $120
- Akaroa Craft Distillery HeliGin Experience: $538
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 Christchurch and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Christchurch much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Christchurch 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 Christchurch would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Christchurch 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 Christchurch.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Christchurch Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Christchurch or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Christchurch. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch 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 Christchurch or San Juan?
Christchurch 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 Christchurch or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Christchurch during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In January, Christchurch is generally much colder than San Juanin July. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 18°C (64°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Christchurch. In the summer, Christchurch often gets less sunshine than San Juanin July. Christchurch gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
Christchurch usually gets less rain in January than San Juanin July. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 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 January and JulyChristchurch 18°C (64°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Christchurch and San Juan. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Christchurch is much colder than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Christchurch usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Christchurch gets 161 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 April, Christchurch usually receives less rain than San Juanin October. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 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 April and OctoberChristchurch 12°C (54°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Christchurch as well as San Juan. Many travelers come to Christchurch for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In the winter, Christchurch is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Christchurch in July average around 6°C (43°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the winter, Christchurch often gets less sunshine than San Juanin January. Christchurch gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Christchurch usually gets more rain in July than San Juanin January. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 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 July and JanuaryChristchurch 6°C (43°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Christchurch are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Christchurch in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Christchurch is generally much colder than San Juanin April. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 12°C (54°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Christchurch. Christchurch usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Christchurch gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Christchurch usually receives less rain than San Juanin April. Christchurch gets 45 mm (1.8 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 October and AprilChristchurch 12°C (54°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Christchurch
| Christchurch | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (60°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 6°C (44°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 6°C (43°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (49°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 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.