Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Nags Head?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Nags Head or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nags Head 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: Nags Head or San Juan?
Nags Head
Nags Head is a popular tourist destination in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The town, with a population of almost 3,000, has many nice beaches and is also where you'll find Jockey's Ridge, which has the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States. It's also the most visited park within the North Carolina park system.
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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNags Head $149San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Nags Head is $149, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $192. 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 Nags Head and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNags Head $80San Juan $124
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNags Head $160San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Nags Head and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Nags Head 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: Nags Head Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nags Head $40San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $271
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $271
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Nags Head or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Nags Head 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 dayNags Head $41San Juan $36
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:
- Old San Juan Sunset Food Tour with Drinks: $156
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walk and Food Tour: $159
- City Lights Sky High Dinner Experience: $165
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nags Head $14San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Nags Head
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nags Head.
- 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD Truck: $57
- Alligator River Kayak Adventure: $59
- Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe: $59
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $12
- Corolla Kayak Adventure: $59
- Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest Kayak Tour: $49
- Manteo Historic Walking Tour: $28
- OBX Ghost Tours: $25
- Outer Banks Audio Driving Tour: $13
- Outer Banks Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
- Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
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.
- Full-Day Tour: El Yunque, Luquillo Beach, Bio Bay Night Kayaking: $155
- Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan: $65
- 1 or 2 Hour Puerto Rico Horseback Ride Experience!: $210
- Arte Boriken-Urban Art & Beach Sip & Paint Tour: $145
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
- Black Sand Beach- See The Southeast of Puerto Rico Private Tour: $150
- Carolina: ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch with Guide: $136
- Cave Day Tour From San Juan: $109
- Craft Beer Private Tour in San Juan: $168
- Cruise Ship Travelers: Hike to a Hidden Puerto Rican Waterfall: $85
- Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo: $175
- Discover El Yunque: Half-Day Rainforest Tour: $115
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNags Head $12San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Pinones Pub crawl in Puerto Rico: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nags Head and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Nags Head much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nags Head is in North 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 Nags Head would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nags Head 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 Nags Head.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nags Head Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nags Head or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Nags Head 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 Nags Head or San Juan?
Nags Head 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 Nags Head or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Nags Head are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Nags Head because of the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Nags Head is around the same temperature as San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during summer. Nags Head gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Nags Head. In July, Nags Head usually receives more rain than San Juan. Nags Head gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyNags Head 78°F (26°C)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Nags Head or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Nags Head during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In the autumn, Nags Head is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nags Head in October average around 62°F (16°C), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nags Head. In the autumn, Nags Head often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Nags Head gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nags Head usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. Nags Head gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNags Head 62°F (16°C)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Nags Head or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nags Head and San Juan. Many travelers come to Nags Head for the cuisine. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Nags Head. In January, Nags Head is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 41°F (5°C), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Nags Head usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Nags Head gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
Nags Head gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nags Head usually receives more rain than San Juan. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNags Head 41°F (5°C)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Nags Head or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Nags Head as well as San Juan. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Nags Head is much colder than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 59°F (15°C) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nags Head this time of the year. In the spring, Nags Head often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Nags Head gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
Nags Head usually gets more rain in April than San Juan. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilNags Head 59°F (15°C)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Nags Head
| Nags Head | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 41°F (5°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 42°F (6°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 50°F (10°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 59°F (15°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (25°C) | 5 inches (127 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 62°F (16°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 45°F (7°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) | 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.