Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Pensacola?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pensacola 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 Pensacola and San Juan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pensacola or San Juan?
Pensacola
With sands as white as sugar grain and a sky devoid of grey clouds and innumerable downpours, Pensacola is known by many as the "Western Gate to the Sunshine State." Located in northern Florida, Pensacola is a waterfront city known for its pristine beaches and rich Floridian history. As one of the earliest European settlements in the U.S., Pensacola is riddled with museums and landmarks that commemorate the state's history, making the city quite appetizing for history buffs and students alike. However, if you are simply looking to get the most out of the all-around good weather of Florida, Pensacola's protected beaches complemented with high-class restaurants and stores make this a vacation capital for many.
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 from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPensacola $198San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Pensacola is $198, 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 Pensacola and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPensacola $115San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPensacola $230San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Pensacola and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Pensacola 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: Pensacola Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pensacola $64San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pensacola
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Pensacola:
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Boca Grande Causeway Toll$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pensacola
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pensacola:
- Pensacola International Airport (PNS) to Destin, FL - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $142
- Pensacola International Airport (PNS) to Pensacola - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- Pensacola International Airport (PNS) to Destin, FL - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Pensacola International Airport (PNS) to Pensacola - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Pensacola to Pensacola International Airport (PNS) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
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
- San Juan One-way Transfer: $30
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel : $50
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $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
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Pensacola or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Pensacola 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 dayPensacola $48San Juan $36
Typical Food Prices in Pensacola
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pensacola are as follows:
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Two Ice Creams$6.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pensacola
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pensacola.
- Seville Stroll Food Tour: $72
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.Pensacola $13San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Pensacola
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Pensacola are as follows:
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Bike Rental$16
Tours and Activities in Pensacola
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pensacola are as follows:
- 1hr Segway Tour Downtown : $57
- 2hr Segway Tour of Downtown : $72
- 3 Hour Sandbar Adventure on Motorized Floats: $69
- 3 hours cruise with swimming: $81
- Dolphin & Sightseeing Cruise + Private Beach Stop: $64
- Fourth of July Fireworks Cruise: $59
- Frisky Mermaid Fireworks Cruise Up to 49 Pax: $64
- Frisky Mermaid Public Dolphin + Sightseeing Cruise Up to 49 Pax: $37
- Ghosts and Graveyard Tour of Pensacola: $34
- Hop-on Hop-off Tour in Pensacola : $35
- Land Paddle Tour in Pensacola: $50
- Pensacola Beach Jolly Dolphin Cruise and Scenic Bay Tour: $39
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
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- 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
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $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
- Ron del Barrilito Skip-the-Line Heritage Tour Ticket: $46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPensacola $44San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Pensacola
Also in Pensacola, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Walking Pub Tour : $21
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 Pensacola and San Juan, we can see that Pensacola 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. Even though Pensacola is in North America and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pensacola Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pensacola or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Pensacola. When comparing the sizes of Pensacola 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 Pensacola or San Juan?
Pensacola 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 Pensacola or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Pensacola as well as San Juan. Most visitors come to Pensacola for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In July, Pensacola is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Pensacola average around 82°F (28°C), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
Pensacola receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pensacola usually gets more rain in July than San Juan. Pensacola gets 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPensacola 82°F (28°C)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Pensacola or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Pensacola are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Pensacola because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Pensacola is cooler than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pensacola averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. It's quite rainy in Pensacola. In October, Pensacola usually receives less rain than San Juan. Pensacola gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Pensacola is June to November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPensacola 69°F (21°C)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Pensacola or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Pensacola during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pensacola this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In the winter, Pensacola is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pensacola in January average around 51°F (10°C), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pensacola. Pensacola usually gets more rain in January than San Juan. Pensacola gets 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPensacola 51°F (10°C)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Pensacola or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pensacola and San Juan. Many travelers come to Pensacola for the beaches. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Pensacola is generally cooler than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Pensacola average around 67°F (20°C), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In April, Pensacola usually receives more rain than San Juan. Pensacola gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Pensacola.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPensacola 67°F (20°C)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Pensacola
| Pensacola | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 51°F (10°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 54°F (12°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 60°F (16°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 67°F (20°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 74°F (24°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 7.4 inches (189 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 7.4 inches (188 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 78°F (26°C) | 5.3 inches (135 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 69°F (21°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 61°F (16°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 54°F (12°C) | 4.3 inches (109 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.