Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Geneva?
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 Geneva or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and San Juan. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Geneva or San Juan?
Geneva
Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland and was previously the home for the United Nations Headquarters. The UN is now housed in New York City, but there is still a very strong presence in Geneva. Geneva is not known to be as energetic as some other European cities, but if you search it out, then you're sure to find some interesting places and lively nightlife. It's a very international city, in part because of the heavy UN presence, giving it an interesting feel. It is a French speaking city, and advertisements, signs, and television are all done in French.
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 Switzerland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland.
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Geneva Prices
Switzerland PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGeneva $288San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Geneva is $288, 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 Geneva and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGeneva $168San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGeneva $336San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Geneva and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Geneva 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: Geneva Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Geneva $11San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Geneva
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Geneva:
- Private transfer from Geneva airport (GVA) to Verbier (Minibus): $1,465
- Private transfers: Geneva airport (GVA) to Interlaken.: $881
- Private Transfers: Geneva airport (GVA) to Zermatt.: $881
- Private Transfer from Geneva Airport(GVA) to Serre Chevalier: $797
- Private Transfers: Geneva airport (GVA) to Verbier.: $764
- Private Transfer From Geneva Airport to Neuchatel: $528
- Private transfers: Geneva airport (GVA) to Montreux.: $458
- Private Transfer from Geneva Airport(GVA) to Val Thorens: $449
- Private transfers: Geneva airport (GVA) to Lausanne.: $317
- Private 1-way Transfer from Geneva Airport (GVA) to Megeve: $305
- Private 1-way Transfer from Megeve to Geneva Airport (GVA): $304
- Chamonix: Private Transfer from Geneva with Wi-Fi and Water: $293
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer to Cruise Ships, Hotels, Airbnb in San Juan: $76
- Arrival Private Transfer SJU Airport to Old San Juan by Sedan: $120
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $200
- Departure Transfer from Old San Juan to to SJU Airport by Car: $86
- Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $289
- Premium Transfer in Airport, Hotel, Airbnb, Cruise: $25
- Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Private Transfer Puerto Rico:To or From Airports, Hotels &Cruises: $33
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to Cruise Port Roundtrip Servic: $109
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $115
- Private Transfer from or to San Juan and Ceiba Ferry: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Geneva or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Geneva 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 dayGeneva $105San Juan $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Geneva
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Geneva.
- City Tour and Fondue Cooking Class, Swiss Folklore: $223
- Taste Geneva – A Full Food Tour of Swiss Flavors by Do Eat Better: $225
- Geneva City Tour with Cooking Class: $228
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Geneva $35San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Geneva
Here are a few actual costs in Geneva for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- (KTG210) - Geneva City Tour and Yvoire: $203
- (KTG353) - Winter Tour: Gruyeres, chocolate tour from Geneva: $200
- (STTG04) - Sightseeing Cruise at Geneva with Wine and Aperitif: $37
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Geneva’s Old Town: $12
- Annecy - Venice of the Alps - Tour from Geneva: $96
- Annecy Private Guided Tour from Geneva: $477
- Audioguided sightseeing cruise of Geneva: $24
- Best Intro Tour of Geneva with a Local: $178
- Best of Geneva City Tour with optional boat cruise: $74
- Best of Geneva City Tour: International Area and Old Town: $73
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $108
- Chamonix Day Trip and Geneva City Tour: $196
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.
- Transportation in San Juan, Isla verde, Condado, Hotels, Cruises & Airbnb's SJU: $14
- San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Eco Friendly Farming Tour to Explore Dorado's Most Beautiful Farm: $20
- Discover Superb Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $23
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Local Certified Guide: $25
- San Juan Ghost Tour: Shrieks in the Sugarcane: $32
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Historic Old San Juan Sunset Walking Tour: $39
- Top Rated El Yunque Rainforest & Waterslide – VIP SmallGroup Tour: $45
- Ron del Barrilito Heritage Skip-the-Line Tour: $46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGeneva $26San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Geneva
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Geneva:
- Geneva Countryside Wine tasting, Aperitif, Castle By E-bike: $175
- Swiss Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour in Vaud: $262
- Lavaux, Chexbres, and Valais Wine Tasting Tour: $450
- Vineyard Tour & Wine Tasting by TukTuk: $541
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 Geneva and San Juan, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is San Juan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Geneva is in Europe 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 San Juan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan 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 Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva than you might in San Juan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Geneva Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Geneva or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva 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 Geneva or San Juan?
Geneva 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 Geneva or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Geneva during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Geneva is cooler than San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Geneva. In the summer, Geneva often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
Geneva usually gets less rain in July than San Juan. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) 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 JulyGeneva 22°C (71°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Geneva or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and San Juan. Many travelers come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Geneva is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Geneva in October average around 14°C (56°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Geneva usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Geneva usually receives less rain than San Juan. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) 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 OctoberGeneva 14°C (56°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Geneva or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Geneva as well as San Juan. Many visitors come to Geneva in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Geneva can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Geneva is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 4°C (39°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the winter, Geneva often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Geneva usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as San Juan. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) 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 JanuaryGeneva 4°C (39°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Geneva or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Geneva for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Geneva is much colder than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Geneva usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Geneva usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) 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 AprilGeneva 11°C (53°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Geneva
| Geneva | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 57 mm (2.3 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.