Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Oranjestad?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Oranjestad or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oranjestad 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: Oranjestad 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.
-
Oranjestad Prices
Aruba PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOranjestad $337San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Oranjestad is $337, 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 Oranjestad and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOranjestad $188San Juan $124
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOranjestad $376San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Oranjestad and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Oranjestad 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: Oranjestad Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oranjestad $35San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Oranjestad
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Oranjestad:
-
Round-trip Bus Ticket$2.22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oranjestad
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Oranjestad:
- Aruba Oranjestad Queen Airport (AUA): Transfer to island: $130
- Private Round-Trip Transfer from Aruba Airport to Hotel: $68
- Reina Beatrix Airport: Round-Trip Shared Transfer: $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Transfer from Old San Juan to to SJU Airport by Car: $86
- Dorado Transfers: $75
- Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $289
- HandyCap Airport Transfer to Isla Verde, Condado or Ocean Park: $100
- HandyCap Transfer Airport to Dorado, Rio Grande or Luquillo: $270
- Luxury Puerto Rico Private Transfers: $220
- One-way transfer from SJU Airport to Cruise Port or Vice Versa: $65
- Private Luxury transfer - SJU, Hotel, Airbnb - Car seat available: $145
- Private Transfer Airport SJU to Old San Juan Vice versa One way: $65
- Private Transfer Puerto Rico:To or From Airports, Hotels &Cruises: $33
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to Humacao Hotels: $180
- Private Transfer from San Juan Airport (SJU) to Ponce Cruise Port: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Oranjestad or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Oranjestad 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 dayOranjestad $109San 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:
- Pinones Bar Hopping Food Tour & Beach Adventure: $85
- Authentic San Juan Guided Walking Food Tour with Pina Colada: $109
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Fly Dining 4 Course Sunset or City Lights Dinner Over San Juan: $185
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oranjestad $91San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Oranjestad
Here are a few typical costs in Oranjestad for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Full Day Bike Rental$25
-
Horseback Riding Tour$70
-
Golf$124
-
Kayak & Snorkeling Tour$98
Tours and Activities in Oranjestad
Here are a few actual costs in Oranjestad for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-Hour Aruba Highlights Guided Tour: $49
- Aruba Cave Pool and Beach Tours: $600
- Aruba Downtown Historic And Cultural Walking Tour: $75
- Aruba: 4-Hour ATV Adventure: $155
- Aruba: Arikok Park Rancho Loco Natural Pool Horseback Tour: $160
- Aruba: Beach Hopping Snorkeling Tour: $57
- Aruba: Guided Countryside Exploration Tour: $45
- Aruba: Natural Pool, Caves & Baby Beach Jeep Adventure: $89
- Aruba: North Coast EZ Raider Adventure: $95
- Aruba: Northcoast UTV Afternoon Adventure: $110
- Aruba: Private Customizable Tour with Guide: $420
- Aruba: Private Island Highlights Tour: $150
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
- San Juan’s Historic Streets Audio Guided Walking Tour: $12
- San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Old San Juan Tour (1 Hour) by DUHO: $25
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Local Certified Guide: $25
- San Juan Ghost Tour: Shrieks in the Sugarcane: $26
- Old San Juan Tour in Spanish: $30
- Paddleboard Adventure: Explore Marine Life: $35
- VIP San Juan Salsa Night Experience at Luxury Condado Beach: $35
- San Juan Guided Turtle Snorkel Tour and Complimentary Videos: $39
- 2 Tours in 1 Day Rainforest and Beach Adventure with Transport: $44
- 3 Tours in 1 Day Old San Juan Rainforest and Beach with Transport: $44
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayOranjestad $31San 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 Oranjestad and San Juan, we can see that Oranjestad is more expensive. And not only is San Juan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Juan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan 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 Oranjestad would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oranjestad than you might in San Juan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Oranjestad Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Oranjestad or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Oranjestad. When comparing the sizes of Oranjestad 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.
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.