Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Nassau?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nassau or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nassau or San Juan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Nassau or San Juan?
Nassau
There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.
As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.
Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.
Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNassau $189San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Nassau is $189, 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 Nassau and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNassau $109San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNassau $218San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Nassau and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Nassau 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: Nassau Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nassau $32San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:
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Water Taxi$8.02
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Taxi to Cable Beach$25
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Taxi from Airport$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:
- Nassau Roundtrip Transfer by Limousine to Paradise Island: $360
- Round-Trip Airport Transfer by Limousine: $360
- Lynden Pindling Airport (NAS): Round-Trip Nassau Transfer: $310
- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $300
- Private Roundtrip Minibus Transfer to Paradise Island: $251
- Private Roundtrip Minibus Transfer to Cable Beach: $243
- Private Roundtrip Luxury SUV Transfer to Cable Beach: $243
- Private Roundtrip Luxury SUV Transfer to Downtown Nassau: $243
- Private Roundtrip Luxury SUV Transfer: $240
- Paradise Island Private Roundtrip Transfer by Sedan: $230
- Atlantis Private Luxury Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $190
- Low Cost Airport Transfers: $185
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Mendoza: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $25
- Private Transportation in Puerto Rico From or To San Juan Airport(SJU) Transfers: $33
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, Tesla 3 Luxury Sedan.: $63
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan (SJU,hotel,airbnb,port) to Dorado City: $68
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla Y Luxury SUV, Select Zone: $77
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla S Lux Sedan, Select Zone: $79
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- Old San Juan Cultural Tour with Transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Nassau or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Nassau 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 dayNassau $53San Juan $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nassau.
- Nassau Food Tour and Beach Break: $65
- Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
- Savor Old Nassau Dining Stroll by Tru Bahamian Food Tours: $116
- Sail Catamaran Sunset Dinner Cruise: $116
- All Inclusive Sunset Dinner Cruise in Nassau Bahamas: $125
- Dinner and Dancing: $130
- Authentic Bahamian Cooking Class: $135
- Bahamian Cooking Class Lunch Experience by Tru Bahamian Food Tour: $140
- Island Food Tour: $140
- Gourmet dinner & sunset cruise on luxury catamaran: $375
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nassau $37San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:
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Jet Ski$50
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4 Hr Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Nassau
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nassau are as follows:
- Bahamas Adventure: Pigs, Reef, Turtles, and Beach with Lunch: $299
- 3 Hour Eco-Glide Adventure in Nassau: $99
- 3-Hour ATV Tour of New Providence (Inclusive of water & local deserts): $190
- ATV Half Day City Tour in Guided Tour With Free Samples: $259
- ATV Island Tour: Beach Break, Lunch, and Free Pick-up/Drop-off: $199
- ATV tours by RSR: $230
- Archie's Weekend Tour with Seafood Snack and Spanish Friendly: $7.00
- Atlantis Speed Boat Tours: $75
- Bahama Bonanza Cultural Tour: $80
- Bahamas Cabbage Beach Parasailing Adventure: $100
- Bahamas Culture Tour from Nassau Including Rum Cake: $80
- Bahamas Ghost Walking Tour: $44
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.
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historic Buildings: $5.99
- Transportation in San Juan, Isla verde, Condado, Hotels, Cruises & Airbnb's SJU: $14
- Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $20
- Old Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $25
- Beginner Puerto Rican Salsa Experience: $25
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNassau $19San Juan $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:
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Cocktail$6.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Nassau
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nassau:
- Nassau Rum Distillery Tour: $25
- Rum Runners Pub Crawl: $135
- Rum Runners Pub Crawl: $140
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 comparing the travel costs between Nassau 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. Since both cities are in Caribbean Islands, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nassau Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nassau or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 83% larger than the population of Nassau. When comparing the sizes of Nassau 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 Nassau 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 Nassau or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Nassau as well as San Juan. Nassau attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Nassau receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nassau usually gets more rain in July than San Juan. Nassau gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 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 Nassau this time of the year. In the summer, Nassau often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Nassau gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
Nassau is around the same temperature as San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Nassau averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNassau 28°C (82°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Nassau or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Nassau are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nassau 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 Nassau. In October, Nassau usually receives more rain than San Juan. Nassau gets 184 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nassau. Nassau usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during autumn. Nassau gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Nassau is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nassau in October average around 26°C (79°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNassau 26°C (79°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Nassau or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Nassau during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nassau because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Nassau usually gets less rain in January than San Juan. Nassau gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 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 Nassau. In the winter, Nassau often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Nassau gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
In January, Nassau is generally cooler than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Nassau average around 21°C (70°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNassau 21°C (70°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Nassau or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nassau and San Juan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nassau year-round. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Nassau usually receives less rain than San Juan. Nassau gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Nassau, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nassau usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during spring. Nassau gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
Nassau is cooler than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Nassau averages around 23°C (74°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNassau 23°C (74°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Nassau
| Nassau | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (74°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (80°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (71°F) | 60 mm (2.4 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.