Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Lima?
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 Lima 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 Lima 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: Lima or San Juan?
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Lima Prices
Peru PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLima $98San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Lima is $98, 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 Lima and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLima $54San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLima $108San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Lima and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Lima 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: Lima Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lima $6.24San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.91
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Taxi Ride$5.91
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Short Taxi Ride$4.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Private Transfer From Lima To Huacachina With 2 Stops: $257
- Lima round trip transfers airport - hotel - airport + City Tour: $218
- Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Pisco Cruise Port: $215
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Pisco Port: $196
- Lima Airport Luxury Arrival or Departure Transfer: $163
- Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $160
- Premium Peruvian Horse Show with Lunch & Transfers: $159
- Private Largevan Transfer - Arrival Lima Airport to Hotel: $79
- Transfer in Private Van from the Airport to Hotels in Lima: $60
- Transfers + Huacachina + Paracas + Ballestas Islands + Buggies + Sandboarding: $60
- Lima Airport Transfers: Lima City to Jorge Chavez Airport LIM in Standard Van: $57
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chávez (LIM) Airport to Lima: $57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Premium Transfer Service FROM or TO Rio Grande Puerto Rico: $50
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Port Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $58
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $58
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $58
- Transfer SJU Airport to Cruise Port / Vice Versa in Old S.J ONLY: $65
- Private Transfer Airport SJU to Old San Juan Vice versa One way: $65
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Private Transfer from San Juan Airport (SJU) to Ponce Cruise Port: $76
- Transfer from San Juan to Humacao or Humacao to San Juan: $80
- San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Lima or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Lima 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 dayLima $33San Juan $62
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.73
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Ice cream$3.84
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Coffee$3.25
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Donut$1.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Dinner at Café del Museo Larco restaurant: $30
- Lima : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $36
- Culinary Experience with Pizzas - Barranco: $39
- #1 Rated Cooking Class with Best Dishes & Pisco Sour: $44
- Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
- Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $46
- Miraflores: Amazing Peruvian Cooking Class – Ceviche, Seafood, and Pisco Sour: $47
- Market Tour and Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $47
- Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant: $48
- Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant: $48
- 4h Cooking Class in Iconic Dishes & Bottomless Drinks: $50
- Private Cooking Class in Causa & Lomo Saltado: $50
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:
- Private Puerto Rican Cooking Class in San Juan for Groups: $146
- FlyDining: 4 Course Sunset & City Light Dinner Over Old San Juan: $159
- FlyDining: 4 Courses Dinner with City Lights & Ocean Breeze: $165
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lima $9.43San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$18
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Movie Tickets$2.51
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- 1 day tour in Ica Peru: $200
- 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $265
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $149
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $149
- 2 Days 1 Night Paracas Ica Tour from Lima: $150
- 2 Days 1 Night Tour of Paracas Huacachina & flight to Nazca Lines: $272
- 2-Hour Surf Adventure in Lima: $31
- 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $289
- 3 Days Tour of Paracas Huacachina and Nazca: $275
- 3 Days Tour: Paracas and Huacachina: $155
- 3 Hours Walking Tour of Lima Old Town and Catacumbs: $59
- 3-Day Marchu Picchu from EL Callao Cruise Ship Terminal: $2,050
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.
- The Ultimate Self-Guided Hidden Gems Tour in Puerto Rico: $5.00
- Transportation in San Juan, Isla verde, Condado, Hotels, Cruises & Airbnb's SJU: $14
- San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Outdoor Salsa Class Experience in San Juan: $19
- Old San Juan Tour (1 Hour) by DUHO: $25
- San Juan Ghost Tour: Shrieks in the Sugarcane: $26
- Old San Juan Tour in Spanish: $30
- Paddleboard Adventure: Explore Marine Life in Condado Lagoon: $32
- SJU Airport to San Juan Cruise Port or return: $33
- VIP San Juan Salsa Night Experience at Luxury Condado Beach: $35
- San Juan Cruise Port: Puerto Rico Artisan Rum Tasting: $39
- San Juan Guided Turtle Snorkel Tour and Complimentary Videos: $42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLima $6.13San Juan $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.95
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Beer$4.43
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Cocktail$3.55
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Pub Crawl with Free Shots and Club Entry: $5.00
- Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
- Pub Crawl Social Drinks in Barranco & Miraflores: $18
- Barranco's Nightlife Tour with Bar Crawl & Free Shots: $20
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $22
- Miraflores Nightlife Tour with Bar Crawl & Free Shots: $24
- Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $38
- Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
- Peruvian Wine Tasting in an Exclusive Setting: $94
- From Huacachina Sandboarding and Wine Tasting Day Trip: $105
- From Huacachina Sandboarding and Wine Tasting Tour: $105
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
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
- Puerto Rico Tobacco Farm and Local Brewery Tour: $109
- Puerto Rico's First and Only Craft Beer Brewery Tour!: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lima and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lima 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 Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lima Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lima or San Juan?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Lima 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 Lima or San Juan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Lima or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Lima as well as San Juan. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Lima usually gets less rain in July than San Juan. Lima gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the summer, Lima often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Lima gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
Lima is much colder than San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLima 18°C (64°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Lima or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Lima are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In October, Lima usually receives less rain than San Juan. Lima gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Lima usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Lima gets 60 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Lima is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lima in October average around 19°C (66°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLima 19°C (66°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Lima or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Lima during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Lima usually gets less rain in January than San Juan. Lima gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Lima often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Lima gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
In January, Lima is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Lima average around 23°C (73°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLima 23°C (73°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Lima or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lima and San Juan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Lima usually receives less rain than San Juan. Lima gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Lima usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Lima gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
Lima is cooler than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLima 22°C (72°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Lima
| Lima | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.