Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Punta del Este or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este 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: Punta del Este or San Juan?
Punta del Este
Punta del Este with its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, pricey hotels, ardent night scene and glitzy restaurants is a chic beach resort town in Uruguay. Many tourists come from Brazil and Argentina, on the other side of the Rio de la Plata, to get some nice sun and lay on the beach for a weekend getaway. Punta del Este is more expensive than other areas in Uruguay and has been called the Monaco of South America. Tourist season varies wildly from totally deserted in the winter to very crowded in the summer.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $98San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, 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 Punta del Este and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este 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: Punta del Este Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $85
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $55
- Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $30
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
- Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Oneway Transfer from San Juan (SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Ponce: $125
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Punta del Este 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 dayPunta del Este $31San 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
- Private Local Food Tour in San Juan: $275
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $11San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- Bike Tour Peninsula - Punta del Este: $65
- Colonia Wine Experience for Food & Wine Lovers: $180
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- East Coast of Uruguay – Private Multi Day Tour: $2,600
- From Cabo Polonio - Full Day Private Tour: $1,000
- Full Day Private Shore Tour Montevideo from Punta Del Este Port: $292
- Full Experience Tasting Menu Viña Edén: $157
- Gourmet Food & Wine Experience from Punta del Este: $205
- Guided Tour of Vineyards: $33
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $18
- Half Day Tour in Punta del Este and Jose Ignacio: $170
- La Vista 360 ticket de admisión: $11
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.
- Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan: $65
- 1 or 2 Hour Puerto Rico Horseback Ride Experience!: $210
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
- Carolina: ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch with Guide: $136
- Cave Day Tour From San Juan: $109
- Cruise Ship Travelers: Hike to a Hidden Puerto Rican Waterfall: $85
- Culebra Beach Day Tour with Snorkeling from San Juan by Ferry: $200
- Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo: $175
- Discover El Yunque: Half-Day Rainforest Tour: $115
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- El Yunque National RainForest: Tour with Nature walk: $75
- El Yunque Rainforest Guided Day Tour from San Juan: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.70San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta del Este
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta del Este:
- Wine Tasting: $42
- Half Day Private Canelones Wine Tour from Montevideo : $158
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 Punta del Este and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Punta del Este much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Punta del Este is in South 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 Punta del Este would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Punta del Este Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este or San Juan?
Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Punta del Este are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Punta del Este is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Punta del Este in January average around 23°C (73°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Punta del Este. Punta del Este usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during summer. Punta del Este gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Punta del Este usually receives less rain than San Juanin July. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPunta del Este 23°C (73°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Punta del Este during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In April, Punta del Este is generally much colder than San Juanin October. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 17°C (63°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Punta del Este often gets less sunshine than San Juanin October. Punta del Este gets 171 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. Punta del Este usually gets less rain in April than San Juanin October. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPunta del Este 17°C (63°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and San Juan. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Punta del Este is much colder than San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 10°C (50°F) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Punta del Este usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Punta del Este gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than San Juanin January. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPunta del Este 10°C (50°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as San Juan. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In the spring, Punta del Este is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Punta del Este in October average around 16°C (61°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Punta del Este this time of the year. In the spring, Punta del Este often gets less sunshine than San Juanin April. Punta del Este gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in October than San Juanin April. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPunta del Este 16°C (61°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Punta del Este
| Punta del Este | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 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.