Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Destin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Destin 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 Destin and San Juan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Destin or San Juan?
Destin
An upscale resort town located on the Florida Panhandle, Destin is best known for its white sand beaches and clear green waters, golfing opportunities, and world renowned fishing. The stretch of beach here (on a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and the Choctawhatchee Bay) is nicknamed Florida's Emerald Coast.
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 Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDestin $192San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Destin is $192, 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 Destin and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDestin $111San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDestin $222San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Destin and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Destin 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: Destin Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Destin $50San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Destin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Destin:
- Destin, FL to Pensacola International Airport (PNS) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Mendoza: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $25
- San Juan One-way Transfer: $30
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel : $50
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla Y Luxury SUV, Select Zone: $77
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla S Lux Sedan, Select Zone: $79
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Destin or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Destin 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 dayDestin $51San Juan $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Destin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Destin.
- 3 Hour Destin Dinner Cruise: Solaris Yacht in Miramar Beach: $128
- 3 Hour Sunset Dinner Cruise by Solaris Yacht in Miramar Beach: $128
- Mother's Day Sunset Dinner Cruise: SOLARIS Yacht Miramar Beach FL: $128
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.Destin $17San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Destin
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Destin are as follows:
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1 Day Rental Umbrella and Chairs$40
Tours and Activities in Destin
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Destin are as follows:
- FAMOUS Destin Dolphin Cruise & Crab Island Sandbar: $70
- 1 Hour and 30 Minutes Harbor Sightseeing Cruise from Destin: $60
- 3 Hour Crab Island and Dolphin Cruise from Destin : $70
- Chakras Sound Bath Meditation Experience in Destin: $35
- Clear Kayak Ecotour Destin Ft. Walton Beach: $75
- Clear Kayak Glow Tour Destin Ft. Walton Beach: $75
- Clear Kayaking Eco Adventure Tour in Marianna: $75
- Crab Island Dolphin Jetski Adventure : $227
- Destin Harbor Fireworks Cruise: $40
- Destin Harbor Sunset Eco Dolphin Cruise: $35
- Destin Private Guided Sunset Cruise up to 6 Passengers: $230
- Crab Island Catamaran Tour with Dolphin Watching: $59
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
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $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 dayDestin $49San Juan $12
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 comparing the travel costs between Destin and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Destin is in North America and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Destin Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Destin or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Destin. When comparing the sizes of Destin 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 Destin or San Juan?
Destin 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 Destin or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Destin as well as San Juan. Most visitors come to Destin for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Destin is around the same temperature as San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Destin averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
Destin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Destin usually gets more rain in July than San Juan. Destin gets 7.4 inches (189 mm) 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 JulyDestin 82°F (28°C)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Destin or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Destin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Destin because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Destin is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Destin in October average around 69°F (21°C), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. It's quite rainy in Destin. In October, Destin usually receives less rain than San Juan. Destin gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) 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 OctoberDestin 69°F (21°C)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Destin or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Destin during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Destin this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In January, Destin is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Destin average around 50°F (10°C), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Destin. Destin usually gets more rain in January than San Juan. Destin gets 4.6 inches (117 mm) 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 JanuaryDestin 50°F (10°C)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Destin or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Destin and San Juan. Many travelers come to Destin for the beaches and the natural beauty. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Destin is cooler than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Destin averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In April, Destin usually receives more rain than San Juan. Destin gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) 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 AprilDestin 68°F (20°C)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Destin
| Destin | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 50°F (10°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 54°F (12°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 60°F (16°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 68°F (20°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 74°F (23°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 7.4 inches (189 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 7.4 inches (188 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 79°F (26°C) | 5.3 inches (135 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 69°F (21°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 61°F (16°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 54°F (12°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) | 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.