A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fort-de-France vs. San Juan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Fort-de-France or San Juan?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fort-de-France and San Juan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Fort-de-France or San Juan?

Fort-de-France

As the largest city and capital of Martinique, Fort-de-France serves as the main entryway for visitors traveling to the island. It is a busy city with a significant population, which creates an atmosphere bustling with traffic amidst its historic and cultural sights.

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.

Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Fort-de-France?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Fort-de-France is $163, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $179. 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 Fort-de-France and San Juan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fort-de-France $84
    San Juan $124
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fort-de-France $168
    San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Fort-de-France and San Juan

Looking for a hotel in Fort-de-France 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 Fort-de-France


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: Fort-de-France Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fort-de-France $17
    San Juan $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort-de-France

Also for Fort-de-France, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private transfer Fort de France Airport to and from Les Trois Ilets: $103
  • Private Transfer from Fort de France to Fort de France Port: $71
  • Private Transfer from Martinique Airport to Fort de France Port: $71
  • Fort de France to Martinique Airport (FDF) - Departure Transfer: $66

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan

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

  • San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $271
  • San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $271
  • Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
  • Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
  • Oneway Transfer from San Juan (SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Ponce: $125
  • Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
  • Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81

Is it cheaper to fly into Fort-de-France or San Juan?

Prices for flights to both San Juan and Fort-de-France 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
    Fort-de-France $62
    San Juan $36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort-de-France

For Fort-de-France, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Food tour in the rainforest and St Pierre - Pile et Face: $104
  • Private Food Tour of Martinique in Fort-de-France: $199

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fort-de-France $33
    San Juan $49

Tours and Activities in Fort-de-France

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fort-de-France.

  • Admission Ticket Balata's Garden: $19
  • Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75
  • Beachcombing in Paradise South Caribbean V.I.P Tour: $295
  • Diving and Snorkeling Catamaran Private Tour in Martinique: $262
  • Fort-de-France Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour: $64
  • Fort-de-France Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $26
  • Full Day Private Historic Tour of Rum Production in Martinique: $119
  • Full Day Tour of Martinique's Diverse Produce Industries: $107
  • Habitation Clement - entrance ticket: $15
  • Half Day Private Custom Tour of Martinique: $180
  • Half Day Private Tour of Southern Martinique: $165
  • Half-Day Nature and Panorama Tour in Martinique: $108

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.

  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fort-de-France $11
    San Juan $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Fort-de-France

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort-de-France:

  • Small-Group Tour: Unmissable Martinique with Rum Distillery, Ruins, and More: $75
  • North Tour: rainforest, rum distillery, black sand beach etc: $120

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 Fort-de-France 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. Since both cities are in Caribbean Islands, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Fort-de-France or San Juan?

San Juan has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Fort-de-France. When comparing the sizes of Fort-de-France 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.

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