A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cordoba vs. San Juan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cordoba or San Juan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cordoba or San Juan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Cordoba or San Juan?

Cordoba

Cordoba is the capital of the Cordoba province and the second largest city in all of Argentina. The city is in a beautiful setting surrounded by valleys and hills. Within the city you will find many colonial buildings and beautiful architecture. Cordoba also has many universities and scientific institutes, giving it the nickname "La Docta." Because of the large number of students, Cordoba's population is young and active, which keeps the atmosphere light and fun.

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 3-Week Tours in Argentina, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires.


Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Cordoba?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cordoba is $61, 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 Cordoba and San Juan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cordoba $49
    San Juan $124
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cordoba $98
    San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Cordoba and San Juan

Looking for a hotel in Cordoba 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.

Hotels in Cordoba


Hotels in San Juan


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: Cordoba Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cordoba $2.86
    San Juan $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan

Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $289
  • Transfer in Puerto Rico with Minivan from Airport: $280
  • Transfer SJU Airport to Ponce and Juana Diaz. Hotels and Airbnb Vice Versa 1 Way: $260
  • Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $200
  • Single ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $195
  • Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
  • Transfer SJU Airport to Dorado. Hotels and Airbnb. Vice Versa One Way Trip.: $140
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
  • Transfer from San Juan to Ponce or Ponce to San Juan: $125
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
  • San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $120
  • Arrival Private Transfer SJU Airport to Old San Juan by Sedan: $120

Is it cheaper to fly into Cordoba or San Juan?

Prices for flights to both San Juan and Cordoba 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 day
    Cordoba $6.62
    San Juan $62

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:

  • Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $165
  • FlyDining: Sunset & City Lights Dinner Over Old San Juan: $165
  • Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
  • Cooking and Connecting with a Local in Puerto Rico: $173
  • Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour: $179

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cordoba $17
    San Juan $49

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.

  • Culebra Swim with Turtles Adventure and Flamenco Beach by Ferry: $130
  • El Yunque Rainforest Tour Half Day Earlybird/ Small Groups: $85
  • Full-Day Tour: El Yunque, Luquillo Beach, Bio Bay Night Kayaking: $155
  • Puerto Rican Food Experience: $99
  • "Exclusive Tour": VIP Rum Tasting at San Juan Artisan Distillers: $150
  • "Yo Soy de PfknR" Bad Bunny Party Bus Experience: $145
  • 1 Hour Historical UTV Tour in San Juan: $200
  • 2 Tours in 1 Day: Rainforest Waterslides & Beach Tour w/Transport: $60
  • 3 Tours in 1 Day: Old San Juan, Rainforest, Beach with Transport: $75
  • 30-Minute Freestyle Jet Ski Adventure in the Bay: $100
  • ATV Double Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $221
  • ATV Single Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $149

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cordoba $6.96
    San Juan $12

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
  • The Pinones Pub crawl Bar crawl : $70
  • Local Puerto Rican Rum Distillery Tour - Ron Pepon: $90
  • Puerto Rico's First and Only Craft Beer Brewery Tour! : $99


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cordoba and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Cordoba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cordoba is in South 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 Cordoba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cordoba 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 Cordoba.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cordoba Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cordoba or San Juan?

Cordoba has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Cordoba 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 Cordoba or San Juan?

Cordoba 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 Cordoba or San Juan in the Summer?

Both San Juan and Cordoba are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Cordoba is much colder than San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Cordoba averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cordoba. Cordoba usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during summer. Cordoba gets 277 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Cordoba usually receives less rain than San Juanin July. Cordoba gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Cordoba 10°C (50°F) 
    San Juan 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Cordoba or San Juan in the Autumn?

Both San Juan and Cordoba during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.

In the autumn, Cordoba is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cordoba in April average around 16°C (61°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F)in October.

In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Cordoba often gets less sunshine than San Juanin October. Cordoba gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.

San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cordoba usually gets less rain in April than San Juanin October. Cordoba gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Cordoba 16°C (61°F) 
    San Juan 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Cordoba or San Juan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cordoba and San Juan. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Cordoba is generally around the same temperature as San Juanin January. Daily temperatures in Cordoba average around 27°C (81°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Cordoba usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Cordoba gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Cordoba usually receives less rain than San Juanin January. Cordoba gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Cordoba 27°C (81°F) 
    San Juan 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Cordoba or San Juan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cordoba as well as San Juan. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.

Cordoba is cooler than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Cordoba averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cordoba this time of the year. In the spring, Cordoba often gets less sunshine than San Juanin April. Cordoba gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.

Cordoba usually gets less rain in October than San Juanin April. Cordoba gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Cordoba 19°C (66°F) 
    San Juan 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for San Juan and Cordoba

Cordoba San Juan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (2 in) 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 14°C (57°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in) 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Dec 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)