Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Gothenburg?
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 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden.
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Gothenburg Prices
Sweden PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGothenburg $145San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $145, 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 Gothenburg and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGothenburg $46San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGothenburg $92San 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 $21San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $216
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $162
- Airport Transfer: Gothenburg to Airport GOT by Business Car: $132
- City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $128
- Ostersund Private Transfer from Ostersund (OSD) airport to central Ostersund: $115
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Arrival Private Transfer: $108
- Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $108
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
- Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $80
- Gothenburg Airport: Transfer to City center of Gothenburg: $74
- Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $71
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in Puerto Rico with Minivan from Airport: $280
- Transfer from San Juan to Ponce or Ponce to San Juan: $125
- Transfer SJU Airport to Ponce and Juana Diaz. Hotels and Airbnb Vice Versa 1 Way: $260
- Transfer SJU Airport to Dorado. Hotels and Airbnb. Vice Versa One Way Trip.: $140
- Single ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $195
- San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports: $66
- San Juan hotels to San Juan PR Cruise Port - Departure Transfer: $30
- San Juan Puerto Rico Private Transfers: $105
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $120
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- San Juan One-way Transfer - Cruise, SJU, Hotels, Airbnb: $30
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
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 $76San Juan $62
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.Gothenburg $18San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Gothenburg
For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Archipelago Tour with guide Gothenburg: $48
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $108
- Bike Tour Gothenburg, Guided Bicycle Tours: $66
- City Kayak Tour: $53
- City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $37
- Eila's Time Travels: A Lycksele Family Walking Tour Game: $8.59
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $48
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $70
- Fatbike Experience in Sorsele: $131
- Gothenburg - Private guided tour: $586
- Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $36
- Gothenburg : Must-See Attractions Walking Tour: $123
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.
- Culebra Swim with Turtles Adventure and Flamenco Beach by Ferry: $130
- El Yunque Rainforest Tour Half Day Earlybird/ Small Groups: $85
- Full-Day Tour: El Yunque, Luquillo Beach, Bio Bay Night Kayaking: $155
- Puerto Rican Food Experience: $99
- "Exclusive Tour": VIP Rum Tasting at San Juan Artisan Distillers: $150
- "Yo Soy de PfknR" Bad Bunny Party Bus Experience: $145
- 1 Hour Historical UTV Tour in San Juan: $200
- 2 Tours in 1 Day: Rainforest Waterslides & Beach Tour w/Transport: $60
- 3 Tours in 1 Day: Old San Juan, Rainforest, Beach with Transport: $75
- 30-Minute Freestyle Jet Ski Adventure in the Bay: $100
- ATV Double Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $221
- ATV Single Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $149
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGothenburg $24San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Gothenburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gothenburg:
- Guided Brewery Tour on Bicycle: $66
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 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.