Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Petra?
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 Petra 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 Petra and San Juan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or San Juan?
Petra
Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.
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 Historical Tours in Jordan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan.
-
Petra Prices
Jordan PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPetra $153San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $153, 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 Petra and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59San Juan $124
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Petra and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Petra 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: Petra Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- From Eilat: Petra Full-Day Guided Tour with Transfers: $219
- Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $140
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private Transfer from Ma'in Hotel to Aqaba Airport: $120
- Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations: $115
- Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Wadi Rum: $100
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Airport Transfer to and from Petra: $92
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
- Premium Transfer in Airport, Hotel, Airbnb, Cruise: $25
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- San Juan hotels to San Juan PR Cruise Port - Departure Transfer: $30
- San Juan One-way Transfer - Cruise, SJU, Hotels, Airbnb: $30
- Private Transfer Puerto Rico:To or From Airports, Hotels &Cruises: $33
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, Tesla 3 Luxury Sedan.: $56
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports: $66
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Roundtrip-Transfer in Puerto Rico: From Airports, Hotels, Cruises: $71
- Airport Transfer to Cruise Ships, Hotels, Airbnb in San Juan: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Petra 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 dayPetra $66San Juan $62
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
-
Dinner for Two$12
-
Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains. : $50
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $150
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Petra $47San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
-
Entry to Petra for One$71
Tours and Activities in Petra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:
- 2-Day Amman to Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea Adventure Tour: $220
- 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
- 3-Hour Private Petra Tour: Exclusive Classical Guided Experience: $55
- 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
- 6 Hours Private Tour in Petra: $125
- Amman: Petra by Night Tour with Optional Day Visit: $99
- From Petra Wadi Rum Private 8 hours roundtrip tour : $140
- Hike Tour of Petra: $10
- Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour | Guide Sami Nawafleh: $225
- Petra Highlight Tour with Private Guide Sami Nawafleh | 2.5 Hours: $120
- Petra Secret Backdoor Tour: Hidden Gems & Exclusive Experience: $240
- Private Full Day Tour to Aqaba Red Sea from Petra Hotels: $200
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.
- Transportation in San Juan, Isla verde, Condado, Hotels, Cruises & Airbnb's SJU: $14
- San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Eco Friendly Farming Tour to Explore Dorado's Most Beautiful Farm: $20
- Discover Superb Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $23
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Local Certified Guide: $25
- San Juan Ghost Tour: Shrieks in the Sugarcane: $32
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Historic Old San Juan Sunset Walking Tour: $39
- Top Rated El Yunque Rainforest & Waterslide – VIP SmallGroup Tour: $45
- Ron del Barrilito Heritage Skip-the-Line Tour: $46
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15San 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 Petra and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Petra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East 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 Petra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Petra 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 Petra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Petra Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra 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 Petra 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 Petra or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Petra as well as San Juan. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Petra usually gets less rain in July than San Juan. Petra gets 0 mm (0 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 Petra this time of the year. In the summer, Petra often gets more sunshine than San Juan. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
The heat can be very extreme in Petra. In the summer, Petra is a little warmer than San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Petra in July average around 33°C (91°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyPetra 33°C (91°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Petra or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra 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. In October, Petra usually receives less rain than San Juan. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 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 Petra. Petra usually receives more sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Petra is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 27°C (80°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPetra 27°C (80°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Petra or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Petra during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Petra usually gets less rain in January than San Juan. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 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 Petra. In the winter, Petra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Petra is much colder than San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 15°C (59°F) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPetra 15°C (59°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Petra or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and San Juan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Petra usually receives less rain than San Juan. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 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 Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during spring. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Petra is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Petra in April average around 25°C (76°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilPetra 25°C (76°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Petra
| Petra | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (87°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (62°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.