A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Manama vs. San Juan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Manama 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 Manama 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: Manama or San Juan?

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.

Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Manama?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Manama is $190, 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 Manama and San Juan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Manama $66
    San Juan $124
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Manama $132
    San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Manama and San Juan

Looking for a hotel in Manama 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.

Hotels in Manama


Hotels in San Juan


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: Manama Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Manama $30
    San Juan $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan

Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer San Juan from or to SJU Airport, Hotel, Cruises: $16
  • San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
  • San Juan hotels to San Juan PR Cruise Port - Departure Transfer: $30
  • San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Arrival Private Transfer: $30
  • San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU)- Departure Transfer: $30
  • Private Transfer Puerto Rico:To or From Airports, Hotels &Cruises: $33
  • San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Port Arrival Private Transfer: $59
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, Tesla 3 Luxury Sedan.: $63
  • One-way transfer from SJU Airport to Cruise Port or Vice Versa: $65
  • San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports: $67
  • Private Transfer from or to San Juan and Rio Grande: $68
  • Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Manama or San Juan?

Prices for flights to both San Juan and Manama 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 day
    Manama $97
    San Juan $62

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:

  • FlyDining: 4 Course Sunset & City Light Dinner Over Old San Juan: $159
  • Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $165
  • FlyDining: 4 Courses Dinner with City Lights & Ocean Breeze: $165
  • Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
  • Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour: $179

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Manama $34
    San Juan $49

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.

  • 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
  • Discover Superb Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
  • Paddleboard Adventure: Explore Marine Life in Condado Lagoon: $32
  • SJU Airport to San Juan Cruise Port or return: $33
  • VIP Glow San Juan Salsa Night Experience at Luxury Condado Beach: $35
  • San Juan Cruise Port: Puerto Rico Artisan Rum Tasting: $39
  • Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
  • Historic Old San Juan Sunset Walking Tour: $39
  • San Juan Guided Turtle Snorkel Tour and Complimentary Videos: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Manama $11
    San Juan $12

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
  • Bacardi Rum Distillery and Old San Juan Tour: $99
  • Puerto Rico Tobacco Farm and Local Brewery Tour: $109


When comparing the travel costs between Manama 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 Manama is in Middle East 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 Manama Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Manama or San Juan?

San Juan has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Manama. When comparing the sizes of Manama 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.

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