Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Manila?
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 Manila 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 Manila and San Juan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or San Juan?
Manila
A sprawling metropolis that is home to more than 12 million people, Manila is one huge, misunderstood concrete jungle, full of diverse cultures, traffic, pollution, restaurants, shopping malls, noise and nightlife. If you're looking to soak in culture and feel the vibe of a place rather than seeking a city that specifically caters to tourists, Manila is the place to be. Capital of the Philippines, Manila is also the center for education, business, and transportation.
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 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
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Manila Prices
Philippines PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $98San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila 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 Manila and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $50San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $100San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Manila and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Manila 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: Manila Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $13San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Full On 5-7 hours ATV Adventure Rivers-Mountains-Jungle with Transfers Manila: $280
- Safe and secure Airport Transfer Best in Manila: $216
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $150
- Amazing Taal Volcano Island Boat Tour with Transfers: $120
- Airport Transfer from Manila Airport: $96
- METRO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $64
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
- Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport: $50
- Quality Safe and Reliable Manila Airport Transfers: $49
- Private Departure Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Arrival Private Transfer: $29
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU)- Departure Transfer: $29
- Premium Transfer Service FROM or TO Rio Grande Puerto Rico: $50
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Port Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan hotels - Round-Trip 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
- 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 in San Juan: $75
- Private Transfer from San Juan Airport (SJU) to Ponce Cruise Port: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Manila 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 dayManila $29San Juan $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $60
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $60
- Ugbo Manila Street Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $60
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $62
- Guided Food Tour of Binondo with Tastings: $65
- Street Food tour & Local Jeepney, Tuktuk Ride: $66
- Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $71
- Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $105
- A taste of Manila's History & Filipino Culture with Buffet Dinner: $175
- Subic: Sunset Dinner Yacht Cruise from Manila & Clark: $212
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
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- 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.Manila $18San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- (Excursion) Day tour in Manila: $258
- A Full Day Tour Adventure From Manila’s History to Volcano Views: $180
- A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
- Amazing Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Tour 2in1: $125
- Antipolo Day Tour with Cloud 9 and Pinto Art Museum: $80
- BAGUIO CITY DAY TOUR (FROM MANILA): $357
- BANAUE:BATAD Rice Terraces with Sagada 4D3N PRIVATE TOUR: $7,130
- Banaue-Hapao Rice Terraces (Car Rental W/ Manila Tourist Driver): $300
- Calatagan Beach Waterpark Island Hopping Adventure from Manila: $248
- Cavite Leisure And Farm Tour: $170
- Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC: $71
- Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $85
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
- Outdoor Salsa Class Experience in San Juan: $19
- 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 Guided Turtle Snorkel Tour and Complimentary Videos: $45
- Legacy Tour at Casa BACARDÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- 1 Hour Bull Maze Adventure at Toroverde Urban Park San Juan: $45
- Top Rated El Yunque Rainforest & Waterslide – SmallGroup Tour: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.17San 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
- 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 Manila and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Manila much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manila is in Asia 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 Manila would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manila 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 Manila.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manila Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or San Juan?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Manila 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 Manila 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 Manila or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Manila as well as San Juan. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Manila receives a lot of rain in the summer. Manila usually gets more rain in July than San Juan. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Manila is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manila in July average around 27°C (80°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Manila or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila 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. It's quite rainy in Manila. In October, Manila usually receives more rain than San Juan. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Manila is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 26°C (79°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Manila or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Manila during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Manila usually gets less rain in January than San Juan. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Manila is around the same temperature as San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Manila or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and San Juan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Manila usually receives less rain than San Juan. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Manila is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manila in April average around 29°C (84°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Manila
| Manila | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 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.