Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Florianopolis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Florianopolis or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Florianopolis 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: Florianopolis or San Juan?
Florianopolis
With a population of almost 500,000, Florianopolis is the capital city of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The city is split between mainland Brazil and Santa Catarina Island.
Florianopolis has grown in popularity with tourists recently because of its wonderful scenery, beautiful beaches, and fascinating culture. Many Brazilians have also moved here, leaving behind the big cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Florianopolis has a warm humid subtropical climate. There are summer, winter, spring and fall seasons. Frosts are rare but do occur occasionally. Highs during the warmest months are usually in the high 70s Fahrenheit. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year and there is no distinct dry season.
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 Brazil, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFlorianopolis $62San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Florianopolis is $62, 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 Florianopolis and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlorianopolis $26San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlorianopolis $52San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Florianopolis and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Florianopolis 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: Florianopolis Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Florianopolis $13San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florianopolis
Also for Florianopolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Roundtrip transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $168
- Private Transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $97
- Private Transfer Florianopolis Airport to Bal. Camboriu: $96
- Private Transfer from FLN Airport to the City Balneario Camboriú : $84
- Transfer Florianópolis Airport / Costão do Santinho: $78
- One Way Transfer : Florianopolis Airport to or from Florianopolis: $64
- Florianópolis Airport Transfer anywhere on the island by Floripa Nativa: $40
- Shared transfer from Florianópolis airport to Balneário Camboriú: $35
- Private Transfer Florianópolis Airport to City Center: $32
- Hercilio Luz Airport - North Island Transfer: $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $271
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $271
- 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
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
Is it cheaper to fly into Florianopolis or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Florianopolis 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 dayFlorianopolis $22San Juan $36
Typical Food Prices in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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A Quick Snack$0.44
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
- Private Local Food Tour in San Juan: $275
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Florianopolis $26San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florianopolis
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Florianopolis's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Internet$0.59
Tours and Activities in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Balneário Camboriú City Tour from Florianópolis: $35
- Bike Tour in Florianopolis - Sunset, Photography and History: $70
- Blumenau City Tour - departing from Florianópolis: $37
- Blumenau City Tour from Florianópolis: $38
- Bombinhas Beach and 4 Islands Tour: $22
- Florianópolis Full Day City Tour: $25
- Floripa City Tour by Bus - Whole Island - The Most Complete City Tour: $32
- Historic Center Walking Tour in Florianopolis with Local Bar Hop: $14
- Lagoinha do Leste Hiking and Photography Adventure : $42
- Mountain biking experiences in Florianópolis: $58
- Private Day Tour: Florianópolis Island with Professional Pictures: $154
- Private South Island Beaches and Lagoons Tour: $44
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.
- Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan: $65
- 1 or 2 Hour Puerto Rico Horseback Ride Experience!: $210
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
- Carolina: ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch with Guide: $136
- Cave Day Tour From San Juan: $109
- Cruise Ship Travelers: Hike to a Hidden Puerto Rican Waterfall: $85
- Culebra Beach Day Tour with Snorkeling from San Juan by Ferry: $200
- Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo: $175
- Discover El Yunque: Half-Day Rainforest Tour: $115
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- El Yunque National RainForest: Tour with Nature walk: $75
- El Yunque Rainforest Guided Day Tour from San Juan: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlorianopolis $8.68San Juan $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florianopolis
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florianopolis from other travelers:
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Beer$0.59
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 Florianopolis and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Florianopolis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Florianopolis Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Florianopolis or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Florianopolis. When comparing the sizes of Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis or San Juan?
Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and San Juan. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Florianopolis is generally cooler than San Juanin July. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 25°C (76°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Florianopolis gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
Florianopolis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than San Juanin July. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 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 January and JulyFlorianopolis 25°C (76°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as San Juan. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Florianopolis is cooler than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 22°C (71°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the autumn, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than San Juanin October. Florianopolis gets 179 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. Florianopolis usually gets less rain in April than San Juanin October. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 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 April and OctoberFlorianopolis 22°C (71°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Florianopolis 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.
In the winter, Florianopolis is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Florianopolis in July average around 17°C (62°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Florianopolis gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than San Juanin January. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 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 July and JanuaryFlorianopolis 17°C (62°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Florianopolis during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In October, Florianopolis is generally cooler than San Juanin April. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 20°C (68°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than San Juanin April. Florianopolis gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Florianopolis. Florianopolis usually gets more rain in October than San Juanin April. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 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 October and AprilFlorianopolis 20°C (68°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Florianopolis
| Florianopolis | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (76°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 95 mm (3.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (71°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.