Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Gothenburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gothenburg or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gothenburg 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: Gothenburg or San Juan?
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden with a population of about 500,000. It is located on the western coast at the edge of the Gota River. It's a very friendly and welcoming city with a great vibe. Part of its energy comes from the Gothenburg University, which, with over 60,000 students, is the largest university in the country. Historically, Gothenburg has working class roots which are still apparent today, particularly in the city's harbour area. Recently there has been a growing number of expensive restaurants and cafes, showing that the demographic continues to evolve.
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 10-Day Tours in Sweden, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGothenburg $98San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $98, 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 Gothenburg and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGothenburg $40San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGothenburg $80San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg 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: Gothenburg Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gothenburg $18San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Stockholm: $509
- Trondheim Vaernes Airport TRD to Are Resort - Round-Trip Transfer: $230
- Ostersund Private Transfer from Central Ostersund to Ostersund Airport: $176
- Gothenburg Airport Transfers : Gothenburg to Airport GOT in Luxury Van: $153
- Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $146
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $120
- City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $111
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $102
- Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $95
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
- Private Transfer from Gothenburg city to Goteborg Cruise Port: $65
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: $272
- San Juan One-way Transfer: $30
- San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel : $50
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $272
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Gothenburg 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 dayGothenburg $38San Juan $36
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.Gothenburg $16San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Gothenburg
For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Days Private Tour in Gothenburg: $300
- 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour: $32
- Archipelago Tour with guide Gothenburg: $40
- Bike Tour Gothenburg, Guided Bicycle Tours: $113
- City Kayak Tour: $60
- City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $32
- Discover Gothenburg - Private Walking Tour: $224
- Egypt Oasis Adventure Package: $926
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $37
- Entry Ticket To Universeum in Gothenburg with pickup: $65
- Fascinating Gothenburg Walking Tour for Couples: $257
- Fatbike Experience in Sorsele: $114
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.
- Full-Day Tour: El Yunque, Luquillo Beach, Bio Bay Night Kayaking: $155
- Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan: $65
- 1 or 2 Hour Puerto Rico Horseback Ride Experience!: $210
- Arenales Caves, Waterfall & River Swimming Adventure: $140
- Arte Boriken-Urban Art & Beach Sip & Paint Tour: $145
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
- Black Sand Beach- See The Southeast of Puerto Rico Private Tour: $150
- Carolina: ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch with Guide: $136
- Craft Beer Private Tour in San Juan: $168
- Cruise Ship Travelers: Hike to a Hidden Puerto Rican Waterfall: $85
- Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo: $175
- Discover El Yunque: Half-Day Rainforest Tour: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGothenburg $21San 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gothenburg and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Gothenburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gothenburg Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or San Juan?
Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg or San Juan?
Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and San Juan. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Gothenburg is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gothenburg in July average around 16°C (61°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Gothenburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than San Juan. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 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 JulyGothenburg 16°C (61°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as San Juan. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In October, Gothenburg is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 9°C (47°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the autumn, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. Gothenburg usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 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 OctoberGothenburg 9°C (47°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Gothenburg 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.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Gothenburg. Gothenburg is much colder than San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Gothenburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 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 JanuaryGothenburg -2°C (29°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Gothenburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In the spring, Gothenburg is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gothenburg in April average around 5°C (41°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets less rain in April than San Juan. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 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 AprilGothenburg 5°C (41°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Gothenburg
| Gothenburg | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (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.