Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Lisbon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Lisbon or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lisbon 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: Lisbon or San Juan?
Lisbon
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
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 in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.
-
Lisbon Prices
Portugal PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLisbon $196San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is $196, 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 Lisbon and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLisbon $74San Juan $124
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLisbon $148San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Lisbon 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: Lisbon Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lisbon $29San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
-
Taxi Ride$7.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From the Algarve to Lisbon; Guided transfer with extra Wow!: $763
- Transfer to Six Senses Douro Valley from Lisbon: $763
- Private Transfer: Seville to Lisbon: $705
- Full Day Tour - Transfer to Algarve from Lisbon with Stops: $705
- Private Door to Door Transfers from/to (Seville - Lisbon): $587
- Lisbon - Coimbra, Private Transfer & up to 3 Cities visits: $575
- Private Transfer to Porto with stops until 3 cities: $528
- Private Transfer From Algarve To Lisbon By 8 Seats Minibus: $528
- One Way Private Transfer to/from Faro: $505
- Transfer to Porto with Obidos and Nazare: $481
- Algarve to Lisbon Airport Transfer: $470
- Private Transfer Lisbon-Algarve: $370
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 Lisbon or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Lisbon 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 dayLisbon $86San Juan $62
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Coffee$2.93
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pizza Cruise on a Luxury Boat with Open Bar: $29
- Lisbon Sunset DJ Party – Luxury Boat, Pizza & Open Bar: $29
- Lisbon Exclusive Sunset Cruise – Pizza, Open Bar & Dolphins: $29
- Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $32
- Sunset DJ Party – Sangria, Pizza & Open Bar : $35
- Traditional Walking Food Tour: $50
- Sangria DJ Party – Luxury Boat, Pizza & Open Bar: $54
- Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $57
- Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $58
- Lisbon Sangria – Exclusive Luxury Cruise with Pizza & Music: $59
- Portuguese street food cooking class with Drinks: $59
- Lisbon Fado Experience: Walking Tour, Dinner and Live Music Show: $59
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lisbon $28San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Divine Journey : Fatima Full Day Private Tour: $216
- Fatima, Batalha, Nazare, Obidos Small Group Tour From Lisbon: $90
- Lisbon Essential Walking Tour: History, Stories and Lifestyle: $30
- Lisbon Romantic Exclusive Tour for 2 at Sunset : $180
- Fatima, Nazare, Obidos, mira de aire cave private tour: $239
- Private Sailing Experience: $180
- Private Walking Tour - Wandering Around Lisbon: $114
- Sintra or Cascais Half-day Private Tour - The real portuguese essence!: $132
- Sintra, Cascais and Estoril Coast with Tickets from Lisbon: $77
- from Sintra half-day sightseeing tour: $205
- Évora Historical Private Tour : $156
- Évora Wine & Heritage Tour from Lisbon : $102
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.
- 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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLisbon $21San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
- Lisbon Port Wine Tasting at Taylors Shop and Tasting Room: $19
- 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $22
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots & VIP Club Entry: $23
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar (Premium Upgrade Available): $23
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: Unlimited Drinks, Shots & V.I.P Club Entry: $23
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $24
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $24
- Portuguese Wine Tasting: $25
- Guided Port Wine Tasting Apéritif/Digestif: $28
- Port Wine Tasting Apéritif/Digestif at Portuguese Wine Bar: $29
- Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $29
- Lisbon Wine Tasting: $29
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 comparing the travel costs between Lisbon and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Lisbon is in Europe and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lisbon Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lisbon or San Juan?
Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon 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 Lisbon or San Juan?
Lisbon 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 Lisbon or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and San Juan. The summer months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Lisbon is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lisbon in July average around 23°C (73°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than San Juan during summer. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Lisbon usually receives less rain than San Juan. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyLisbon 23°C (73°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as San Juan. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In October, Lisbon is generally cooler than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 19°C (66°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the autumn, Lisbon often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. Lisbon usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLisbon 19°C (66°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Lisbon is much colder than San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Lisbon usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Lisbon. In January, Lisbon usually receives more rain than San Juan. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLisbon 12°C (53°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Lisbon during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In the spring, Lisbon is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lisbon in April average around 16°C (60°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the spring, Lisbon often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
Lisbon usually gets less rain in April than San Juan. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilLisbon 16°C (60°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Lisbon
| Lisbon | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 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.