Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Cozumel?
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 Cozumel 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 Cozumel and San Juan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cozumel or San Juan?
Cozumel
Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico.
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Cozumel Prices
Mexico PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCozumel $129San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Cozumel is $129, 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 Cozumel and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCozumel $67San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCozumel $134San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Cozumel and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Cozumel 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: Cozumel Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cozumel $22San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel
Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cozumel Island Transfers: $300
- Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $149
- The Ultimate Beachside Cigar Rolling Experience with transfer: $132
- XRAIL Adventure Shared Vehicle with Transfer: $125
- Private Transfer from Cozumel Airport: $110
- Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $98
- Private Transfer from Cozumel Airport (СZM) to Cozumel Port: $90
- Private Transfer from Cozumel Port to Cozumel Airport (CZM): $90
- Jade Cavern ATV Tour in Cozumel with Beach Break with transfer: $86
- ATV Adventure to Jade Cavern with transfer: $83
- Cozumel Cruise Port to Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
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
- HandyCap Transfer Airport to Dorado, Rio Grande or Luquillo: $270
- Transfer from San Juan to Aguadilla or Aguadilla to San Juan: $200
- Private Transfer: SJU Airport or Port to Humacao and Nagüabo: $200
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to Ponce hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $198
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to Humacao Hotels: $180
- Transfer from San Juan to Rincon or Rincon to San Juan: $167
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to Rio Grande hotel – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $163
- Transfer from San Juan to Ponce or Ponce to San Juan: $150
- Transfer SJU Airport to Dorado. Hotels and Airbnb. Vice Versa One Way Trip.: $140
- Private Luxury transfer - SJU, Hotel, Airbnb - Car seat available: $131
- Private Transfer from or to San Juan and Ponce: $125
Is it cheaper to fly into Cozumel or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Cozumel 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 dayCozumel $39San Juan $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel
For Cozumel, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Mexican Trompitos Cooking Class in Cozumel: $89
- Kuza Beach & Flavors Experience-Mexican cooking Class & Beach Day: $89
- Under the Stars Twilight Snorkel and Seaside Dinner at Money Bar: $90
- Cozumel Food Tour: $90
- Cozumel Cooking Class: $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
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- FlyDining: 4 Courses Dinner with City Lights & Ocean Breeze: $195
- Fly Dining 4 Course Sunset and City Light Dinner Over San Juan: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cozumel $42San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Cozumel
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.
- 10 Experiences: A Culinary Journey Through Mexico: $224
- 2 Hours ATV Jungle, Caverns and Mayan Ruins Tour: $80
- 4 Hour Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Experience on a Luxury Catamarán: $77
- 4 Hour Snorkeling Tour in Cozumel: $50
- 4-Hour Private Tour in Cozumel with Pickup: $95
- ATV Adventure of Jade Cave El Cedral with Tequila Tasting: $90
- ATV Adventure to Mayan Jade Cavern plus Snorkeling and Lunch: $79
- ATV Seashore + Cenote Combo: Mezcalitos & Mayan Cenote Experience: $80
- ATV Tour El Viejo y Yo Beach Pass with Lunch, Snorkel and Kayaks: $110
- ATV Tour and Cenote Experience in Cozumel: $75
- ATV and Clear Boat Ride Full Experience in Cozumel: $80
- All Inclusive Mexican Tour with Buffet and Tequila Tasting: $90
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
- 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
- 3 in 1 Full Day Cueva Ventana, Indian Cave & Waterfall Adventure: $155
- ATV Double Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $221
- ATV Single Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $149
- Arecibo Cave Cliffside Waterfall Adventure: $139
- Arecibo Indian Cave Coastal Adventure: $65
- Bio Bay Magic and Rum Tasting Tour from San Juan: $250
- Bio Bay Night Kayak Tour with Transport from San Juan: $125
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure Tour from San Juan: $110
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCozumel $11San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Cozumel
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cozumel:
- Chocolate Seaside Workshop & Wine Tasting: $53
- Downtown Cozumel and Brewery Experience: $89
- Rum and Gin at Cozumel First Distillery: $99
- Cozumel 5-Hour Private Bar Crawl Tour: $110
- Cozumel Rum Tasting & Distillery Experience: $119
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 Cozumel and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Cozumel much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cozumel 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 Cozumel would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cozumel 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 Cozumel.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cozumel Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cozumel or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Cozumel. When comparing the sizes of Cozumel 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.