Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Mombasa?
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 Mombasa 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 Mombasa 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: Mombasa or San Juan?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $80San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $80, 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 Mombasa and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
- Mombasa Airport Transfers : $129
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $114
- Private Day Tour of Mombasa City with Transfers: $104
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $95
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $79
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $74
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $43
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $43
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 Mombasa or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41San Juan $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Special African Dinner: $46
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mombasa Getaway with Haller Park Tours: $150
- The Best Of Mombasa Walking Tour: $227
- Bus Tickets from Mombasa to Nairobi: $55
- Day Tour To Tsavo East National Park: $240
- Day Tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa or Diani: $278
- Day tour to Shimba hills National Reserve from Mombasa/Diani: $336
- Diani: Full-day Guided Mombasa City Tour from Diani: $110
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $35
- Full Day Group Joining Tour of Mombasa : $107
- Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour : $110
- Full day tour in Mombasa: $93
- Full-Day Tour of Mombasa: $110
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.
- 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.79San 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
- 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa 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 Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 Mombasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or San Juan?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa 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 Mombasa or San Juan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Mombasa or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and San Juan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Mombasa usually receives less rain than San Juan. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Mombasa is generally cooler than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 24°C (75°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as San Juan. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the autumn, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than San Juan. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Mombasa usually receives less rain than San Juan. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than San Juan during winter. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Mombasa is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mombasa in January average around 27°C (81°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Mombasa during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than San Juan. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the spring, Mombasa often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
In April, Mombasa is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Mombasa
| Mombasa | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.