Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Key West?
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 Key West or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Key West 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: Key West or San Juan?
Key West
Key West is both a city and an island as well as the southern most Florida Key. It is also the southern most city in the continental United States. The island is only about four miles long and one mile wide. The total land mass covers just 4.2 square miles. The most famous street in town is Duval Street, which runs just 1.1 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. There are 14 blocks. The size of the island doubled during the 1950s when many of the salt ponds along the eastern side of the island were filled in.
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 Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.
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Key West Prices
USA PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKey West $832San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Key West is $832, 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 Key West and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKey West $132San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKey West $264San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Key West and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Key West 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: Key West Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Key West $51San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Key West
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Key West:
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Rental Car for One Day$38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Key West
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Key West:
- Key West Int Airport (EYW) to Key West - Arrival Private Transfer: $158
- Key West to Key West Airport (EYW) - Departure Private Transfer: $158
- Key West Int Airport EYW to Key West Hotels Arrival Transfer: $151
- Key West hotels to Key West Int Airport (EYW) Departure Transfer: $151
- Private Arrival Transfer from Key West Airport EYW: $144
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer San Juan from or to SJU Airport, Hotel, Cruises: $16
- Premium Transfer in Airport, Hotel, Airbnb, Cruise: $25
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Arrival Private Transfer: $29
- San Juan One-way Transfer - Cruise, SJU, Hotels, Airbnb: $30
- SJU Airport Transfer To-From San Juan, Hotels, Airbnb, Ports: $52
- One-way transfer from SJU Airport to Cruise Port or Vice Versa: $55
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $58
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Airport Private Transfer from/to City Hotels: $70
- Airport Transfer to Cruise Ships, Hotels, Airbnb in San Juan: $76
- San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel : $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Key West or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Key West 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 dayKey West $667San Juan $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Key West
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Key West.
- Exploring and Walking Food Tour of Cayo Hueso: $80
- Cooking School Demonstration with Meal: $81
- Southernmost Food & Cultural Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours: $90
- Key West Sunset Cruise: Dinner, Live Music & Drinks Included: $93
- Sunset Dinner Cruise with Open Bar & Live Music: $93
- Key West Sunset Buffet Dinner Cruise with Open Bar and Live Music: $100
- Secret Walking Food Tour: $116
- Sunset Sail Full Bar, Live Music & Dinner & Early Morning Snorkeling: $160
- Key West Fishing Charter: Catch your Dinner!: $800
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:
- From Pinones Beach & Bar Hopping Food Tour: $85
- Puerto Rican food tasting and beginner cooking Tour: $99
- San Juan Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $139
- Private San Juan Cooking Class with a Local Expert: $146
- Puerto Rico Secret Food Tour of Old San Juan: $146
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $165
- Ponce: Walking Tour with Castillo Serrallés Visit and Dinner: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Key West $33San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Key West
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Key West are as follows:
- Key West Kayak Eco Tour | An Eco-Friendly Adventure Awaits!: $60
- 2 Hour Key West Mini Catamaran Eco Tour: $285
- A Self-Guided Tour of Key West's Legends and Sights: $30
- Adults only Sunset Cruise from Key West with Champagne: $109
- All Inclusive Sandbar Trip With Hidden Kayak Tour, Food & Drinks: $150
- Bahama Village Walking Tour: $30
- Dark Corners of Key West Walking Tour: $192
- Day in Key West - Private SUV Tour From Miami: $1,300
- Florida Keys Nature & History Tour from Key West: $109
- Florida Keys: Aquarium Encounters Day Tour with Lunch: $160
- Florida Keys: Dolphin Research Center Day Tour with Lunch: $160
- Florida Keys: Up The Keys Nature Tour: $117
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.
- San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Outdoor Salsa Class Experience in San Juan: $19
- Legends of Puerto Rico Haunted Walking Tour: $24
- Old San Juan Guided Walking Tour: $27
- Tour de Viejo San Juan en Español: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- Old San Juan PR Moonshine Classic Tasting Experience: $32
- Old San Juan History & Culture (Open Walking Tour): $35
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Old Town Sunset Walking Tour: $39
- Urban Park Sky Bull Zipline Experience: $39
- Old Pitorro Premium Experience Tasting: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKey West $16San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Key West
Also in Key West, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
- Key West Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour with Free T-Shirt: $32
- Bone Island Haunted Pub Crawl: $32
- 2.5-Hour Duval Street Pub Crawl: $43
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
- Bacardi Rum Distillery and Old San Juan Tour: $99
- Puerto Rico Tobacco Farm and Local Brewery Tour: $109
- Puerto Rico: Ocean Lab Brewery and Tobaco Farm Tour: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Key West and San Juan, we can see that Key West is more expensive. And not only is San Juan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Key West is in North 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 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 Key West would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key West 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 Key West Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Key West or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Key West. When comparing the sizes of Key West 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 Key West or San Juan?
Key West 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 Key West or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Key West as well as San Juan. The summer months attract visitors to Key West because of the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In July, Key West is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 84°F (29°C), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key West this time of the year. In the summer, Key West often gets more sunshine than San Juan. Key West gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
Key West usually gets less rain in July than San Juan. Key West gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) 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 JulyKey West 84°F (29°C)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Key West or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Key West are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Key West this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Key West is around the same temperature as San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Key West averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key West. Key West usually receives more sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Key West gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. It's quite rainy in Key West. In October, Key West usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan. Key West gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Key West is June to November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKey West 80°F (27°C)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Key West or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Key West during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Key West for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In the winter, Key West is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Key West in January average around 70°F (21°C), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Key West. In the winter, Key West often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Key West gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Key West usually gets less rain in January than San Juan. Key West gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) 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 JanuaryKey West 70°F (21°C)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Key West or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Key West and San Juan. Many visitors come to Key West in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Key West is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 77°F (25°C), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Key West, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key West usually receives more sunshine than San Juan during spring. Key West gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Key West usually receives less rain than San Juan. Key West gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Key West.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKey West 77°F (25°C)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Key West
| Key West | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 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.