Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Kuala Lumpur?
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 Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur 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: Kuala Lumpur or San Juan?
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
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 Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.
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Kuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKuala Lumpur $83San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $83, 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 Kuala Lumpur and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKuala Lumpur $41San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKuala Lumpur $82San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur 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: Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kuala Lumpur $7.21San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.57
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.76
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Short Taxi Ride$3.57
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Taxi From Airport$21
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Bus from Airport$1.90
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfer from KLIA/KLIA2 to Singapore: $270
- Arrival Transfer from KLIA/KLIA2 to Penang: $270
- ~Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan Transfer [MPV]: $268
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Penang Island Transfer [Car]: $266
- Cameron Highlands Transfer Private (Per Vehicle): $260
- Cameron Highlands One Way Transfer: $259
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Desaru Transfer [Car]: $240
- Private Transfer from Shah Alam city to Malacca Cruise Port: $239
- KUL Hotel to Johor Bharu(One Way Transfer): $237
- Arrival Transfer from KLIA/KLIA2 to Johor Bharu: $237
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Car]: $234
- Kuala Lumpur City Hotels to Singapore City Hotels 1-way Transfer: $230
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 Kuala Lumpur or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Kuala Lumpur 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 dayKuala Lumpur $29San Juan $62
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$9.51
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Roti Bread$0.24
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Food Court Lunch$3.42
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$5.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Night Tour Batu Caves and South Indian Dinner: $20
- From Batu Caves Night Tour + Indian Set Dinner: $28
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $41
- Laksa Lanes Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $52
- Best Local Food Tour by Night at Kuala Lumpur : $55
- Glowing Firefly Private Tour With Dinner: $59
- Malaysia Cooking Classes With Local: $60
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $60
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies and Blue Tears Tour with Dinner (SIC): $62
- Malaysian Hands-On Cooking Class : Masala Medley : $63
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.Kuala Lumpur $15San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$11
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.19
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure Sports & Thrilling White-water Rafting in Kampar River: $182
- Cameron Highland Day Tour From Kuala Lumpur By Group: $155
- Full Day Kuala Lumpur City Tour with Petronas Twin Tower Tickets: $95
- Half Day Kuala Lumpur Culture And Communities Exploration Tour: $30
- Historic And Heritage Melaka Tour: $55
- KL Tour with Petronas Twin Towers Observation Deck & Batu Cave: $145
- KLCC Lake Symphony & The River of Life Tour from Kuala Lumpur: $33
- Kuala Lumpur (Genting Highlands 7.5 hours Private Tour): $61
- Kuala Lumpur Full Day City Tour Cruise Excursion from Port Klang: $65
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day Family Tour With Aquaria KLCC : $105
- Malacca Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $184
- Petronas Twin Tower Tickets with City Tour: $80
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 dayKuala Lumpur $6.58San Juan $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$11
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 Kuala Lumpur and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kuala Lumpur is in Asia 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 Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or San Juan?
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur or San Juan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and San Juan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than San Juan. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Kuala Lumpur, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as San Juan. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in October than San Juan. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in October average around 27°C (81°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In January, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than San Juan. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Kuala Lumpur is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Kuala Lumpur during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in April than San Juan. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Kuala Lumpur
| Kuala Lumpur | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 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.