Which place is cheaper, San Juan or La Paz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit La Paz or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between La Paz and San Juan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: La Paz or San Juan?
La Paz
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It has a population of about 215,000 people and is a significant commercial center for the region. The city has a good economy and a high standard of living when compared to much of Mexico. Much of the economy is focused on eco-tourism and there are many protected marine environments in the area.
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 Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Paz $118San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in La Paz is $118, 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 La Paz and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Paz $52San Juan $124
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Paz $104San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in La Paz and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in La Paz 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: La Paz Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Paz $22San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Paz:
- La Paz Airport: Private Roundtrip Transfer to La Ventan: $259
- Private Transfer from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas: $240
- La Paz Int. Airport (LAP): Private Transfer to La Paz hotels: $174
- La Paz Airport to Costa Baja Private Roundtrip Transfer: $89
- Roundtrip Transfer to La Paz International Airport: $73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Mendoza: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $25
- Private Transportation in Puerto Rico From or To San Juan Airport(SJU) Transfers: $33
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- 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
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- 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 La Paz or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and La Paz 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
-
Food Meals for one dayLa Paz $38San Juan $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Paz.
- 4 Hours of Guided La Paz Street Food Tour: $81
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
- Private Local Food Tour in San Juan: $275
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Paz $13San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in La Paz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Paz are as follows:
- 1 Day Espiritu Santo Island Wonders, Sea Lions and Paddleboard Adventure : $249
- 3 Hour La Paz Whale Shark Snorkeling Experience: $244
- Adventure to Espiritu Santo Island: Snorkel with Sea Lions and Beach: $131
- Balandra & San Rafaelito: Sightseeing & Snorkelling: $135
- Balandra Beach and City Tour: $128
- Balandra Snorkel & Sea Lion Adventure: $135
- Can-Am X3 Turbo Adventure: Cabo Desert Trails & Beach Ride: $291
- City Tour & Beaches from La Paz: $91
- Cruise Date Delight! Swim with Sea Lions! Apr-02: $186
- Espíritu Santo Island snorkel and sightseeing tour on Small Group: $167
- Espiritu Santo Island Day Tour: $170
- Espiritu Santo Island Snorkel & Sea Lion Adventure: $145
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Horseback Riding Tour$40
-
Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
-
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.
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historic Buildings: $5.99
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $20
- Old Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $25
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- Walking tour of Oaxaca City: $48
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Paz $12San 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 La Paz and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is La Paz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Paz 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 La Paz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Paz 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 La Paz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Paz Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Paz or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of La Paz 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 La Paz or San Juan?
La Paz 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 La Paz or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to La Paz as well as San Juan. Many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In July, La Paz is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 30°C (86°F), 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 La Paz this time of the year. In the summer, La Paz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. La Paz gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
La Paz usually gets less rain in July than San Juan. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyLa Paz 30°C (86°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit La Paz or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and La Paz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to La Paz in the autumn for the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
La Paz is around the same temperature as San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 27°C (80°F) 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 La Paz. La Paz usually receives more sunshine than San Juan during autumn. La Paz gets 272 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. In October, La Paz usually receives less rain than San Juan. La Paz gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLa Paz 27°C (80°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit La Paz or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and La Paz during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to La Paz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In the winter, La Paz is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Paz in January average around 18°C (65°F), 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 La Paz. In the winter, La Paz often gets less sunshine than San Juan. La Paz gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
La Paz usually gets less rain in January than San Juan. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLa Paz 18°C (65°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit La Paz or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both La Paz and San Juan. The spring months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, La Paz is generally cooler than San Juan. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 23°C (73°F), 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 La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Paz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during spring. La Paz gets 292 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, La Paz usually receives less rain than San Juan. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilLa Paz 23°C (73°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and La Paz
| La Paz | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (65°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 19°C (66°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (69°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (87°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (85°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (67°F) | 21 mm (0.8 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.