Which place is cheaper, San Juan or La Plata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Plata or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between La Plata and San Juan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: La Plata or San Juan?
La Plata
Just over an hour from Buenos Aires, the bustling university city of La Plata is notable for being South America's first planned city. Indeed, also known as the City of Diagonal, La Plata's intricate grid system includes diagonal streets that run through it, contributing to easy navigation but confusing intersections.La Plata is the Capital of the Province of Buenos Aires, the main Argentine state, so you will find lots of elaborate government buildings alongside leafy green plazas in this laid back as well as active city. La Plata is a happening university town with a population of over 700,000. You can walk the width of it in under an hour, stopping at trendy craft beer bars, local music joints, and great restaurants along the way. Also, football is a religion in Argentina and if you're looking for some local atmosphere, La Plata is the place to go! Two of Argentina's biggest football teams, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and Estudiantes de La Plata challenge each other each year. If you are around during that special day for the city, you will witness thousands of fans wearing the relevant colours heading off to watch the match and parade by calle 7.
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 from Buenos Aires, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Plata $8.62San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in La Plata is $8.62, 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 Plata and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Plata $3.47San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Plata $6.94San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in La Plata and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in La Plata 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 Plata Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Plata $2.47San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $271
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $271
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Oneway Transfer from San Juan (SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Ponce: $125
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into La Plata or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and La Plata 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 dayLa Plata $3.37San Juan $36
Typical Food Prices in La Plata
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to La Plata:
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Ice Cream$0.01
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Plata $2.16San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in La Plata
For La Plata, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Sciencias Naturales Museum Entrance Fee$0.01
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.
- Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan: $65
- 1 or 2 Hour Puerto Rico Horseback Ride Experience!: $210
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
- Carolina: ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch with Guide: $136
- Cave Day Tour From San Juan: $109
- Cruise Ship Travelers: Hike to a Hidden Puerto Rican Waterfall: $85
- Culebra Beach Day Tour with Snorkeling from San Juan by Ferry: $200
- Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo: $175
- Discover El Yunque: Half-Day Rainforest Tour: $115
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- El Yunque National RainForest: Tour with Nature walk: $75
- El Yunque Rainforest Guided Day Tour from San Juan: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Plata $1.20San 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 Plata and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is La Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Plata is in South 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 Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Plata 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 Plata.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Plata Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Plata or San Juan?
La Plata has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of La Plata 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 Plata or San Juan?
La Plata 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 Plata or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and La Plata are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, La Plata is generally cooler than San Juanin July. Daily temperatures in La Plata average around 25°C (77°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. La Plata usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. La Plata gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, La Plata usually receives less rain than San Juanin July. La Plata gets 86 mm (3.4 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 January and JulyLa Plata 25°C (77°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit La Plata or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and La Plata during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
La Plata is much colder than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Plata averages around 18°C (65°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, La Plata often gets less sunshine than San Juanin October. La Plata gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. La Plata usually gets less rain in April than San Juanin October. La Plata gets 85 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 April and OctoberLa Plata 18°C (65°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit La Plata or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Plata and San Juan. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, La Plata is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Plata in July average around 12°C (53°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. La Plata usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. La Plata gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, La Plata usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juanin January. La Plata gets 57 mm (2.2 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 July and JanuaryLa Plata 12°C (53°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit La Plata or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to La Plata as well as San Juan. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In October, La Plata is generally cooler than San Juanin April. Daily temperatures in La Plata average around 18°C (64°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the spring, La Plata often gets less sunshine than San Juanin April. La Plata gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
La Plata receives a lot of rain in the spring. La Plata usually gets more rain in October than San Juanin April. La Plata gets 100 mm (3.9 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 October and AprilLa Plata 18°C (64°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and La Plata
| La Plata | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 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.