Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Coimbra?
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 Coimbra or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Coimbra 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: Coimbra or San Juan?
Coimbra
Coimbra is located in Central Portugal in the Centro Region. It's the third largest city in the country with about 460,000 people living in the entire region. It is also where you'll find the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese speaking world. During the High Middle Ages, Coimbra served as the nation's capital and there are archaeological structures that date back to the Roman era.
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 Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal.
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Coimbra Prices
Portugal PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCoimbra $160San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is $160, 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 Coimbra and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCoimbra $51San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCoimbra $102San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Coimbra 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: Coimbra Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Coimbra $12San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra
Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Coimbra to Aveiro Costa Nova: $293
- Private transfer from/to Fatima - Porto, Coimbra or Aveiro: $269
- Private transfer from Porto Airport to Coimbra: $211
- Private transfer from/to Fátima - Porto, Braga or Guimarães: $209
- Transfer from Lisboa to Coimbra with visit to Fátima Sanctuary, half day: $198
- Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $158
- Transfers Aveiro or Coimbra to Lisbon Airport: $156
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 Coimbra or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Coimbra 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 dayCoimbra $96San Juan $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Erotic Cabaret Show and Dinner: $64
- Bairrada Food Tour: $115
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Coimbra $21San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Coimbra: $249
- An adventure through the Forest and Palace of Bussaco - Coim: $99
- An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã: $88
- Arista Tour - Penacova Windmills and Landscapes (noon): $88
- Aveiro, Barra and Costa Nova | Full-day Private Tour: $227
- Best of Coimbra Private Walking Tour with University Late Visit: $82
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $29
- Buggy Tour in Serra da Lousã 2Hours: $146
- Buracas do Casmilo Private Hiking Tour from Coimbra: $105
- Coimbra - Condeixa: 120-minute Off-road Buggy Adventure: $303
- Coimbra - Condeixa: 240-minute Off-Road Buggy Adventure: $512
- Coimbra - Condeixa: 60-minute Off-road Buggy Adventure: $175
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 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCoimbra $14San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:
- Guided Wine Tasting with Regional Bites: $31
- Coimbra Food and Wine Tasting Private Guided Walk: $41
- Bairrada Sommelier Experience Wine Tasting and Lunch: $186
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 Coimbra and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Coimbra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Coimbra is in Europe 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 Coimbra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Coimbra 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 Coimbra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Coimbra Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Coimbra or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra 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 Coimbra or San Juan?
Coimbra 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 Coimbra or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and San Juan. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Coimbra is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Coimbra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during summer. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Coimbra usually receives less rain than San Juan. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 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 JulyCoimbra 23°C (73°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as San Juan. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In October, Coimbra is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 18°C (65°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the autumn, Coimbra often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. Coimbra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Coimbra usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 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 OctoberCoimbra 18°C (65°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Coimbra is much colder than San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Coimbra usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In January, Coimbra usually receives more rain than San Juan. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 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 JanuaryCoimbra 11°C (51°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Coimbra during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In the spring, Coimbra is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Coimbra in April average around 15°C (59°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Coimbra. In the spring, Coimbra often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
Coimbra usually gets more rain in April than San Juan. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 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 AprilCoimbra 15°C (59°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Coimbra
| Coimbra | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.