Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Reykjavik?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Reykjavik or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik 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: Reykjavik or San Juan?
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayReykjavik $246San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Reykjavik is $246, 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 Reykjavik and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personReykjavik $139San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomReykjavik $278San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Reykjavik and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Reykjavik 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: Reykjavik Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Reykjavik $46San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Reykjavík: South Coast Guided Day Trip by Jeep with Transfer: $1,776
- Private 7-hour Airport/Cruise Transfer & Tour: $1,183
- From Reykjavik Port: Private Blue Lagoon Transfer: $1,050
- Blue Lagoon with Private Roundtrip Transfer: $476
- Door to Door Private Blue Lagoon Transfer: $308
- From ATV Ride and Blue Lagoon Tour with Transfer: $288
- Lava Tunnel Caving & Snorkeling in Silfra with Transfer | Free Photos: $283
- Lava Tunnel Caving with Transfer | Small Group: $283
- Private Luxury Airport Transfer Service: $280
- Private transfer: Reykjavik to Keflavik International Airport (KEF): $277
- Private Airport Transfer from Reykjavik: $270
- Blue Lagoon Admission Ticket Including Transfer: $268
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $272
- San Juan One-way Transfer: $30
- San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel : $50
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $272
- 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
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Reykjavik or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Reykjavik 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 dayReykjavik $30San Juan $36
Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner (Fish Market)$178
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Exclusive dinner with a local family - Visit a Reykjavík home: $98
- Icelandic Food Tour: $124
- The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $128
- 3 Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $129
- Reykjavik Market & Lunch Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $142
- Reykjavik Old Harbor Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $145
- Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $209
- Icelandic Cooking Class in Downtown Reykjavik with Musical Hosts: $296
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.Reykjavik $72San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Museum$11
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Wine and Spa$29
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- #1 Northern Lights Tour In Iceland from Reykjavik with PRO photos: $145
- 1 hour Reykjavík E Scooter Adventure: $66
- 1 hour Reykjavík E-Scooter Adventure: $64
- 1-Hour ATV Quad Tour from Reykjavik: $131
- 1-Hour Helicopter Tour in Iceland: The Geothermal Tour: $438
- 1hr ATV & Golden Circle Adventure from Reykjavik: $276
- 1hr Buggy Adventure & Whale Watching from Reykjavik: $289
- 1hr Buggy Adventure from Reykjavik: $172
- 2-Hour RIB Boat Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik: $169
- 2hr Buggy 'Lava Field Adventure' from Reykjavik: $219
- 3-Hour Private Discover Reykjavik Photography Tour: $172
- 3hr Volcanic Springs ATV Adventure from Reykjavik: $299
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.
- Full-Day Tour: El Yunque, Luquillo Beach, Bio Bay Night Kayaking: $155
- Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan: $65
- 1 or 2 Hour Puerto Rico Horseback Ride Experience!: $210
- Arenales Caves, Waterfall & River Swimming Adventure: $140
- Arte Boriken-Urban Art & Beach Sip & Paint Tour: $145
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
- Black Sand Beach- See The Southeast of Puerto Rico Private Tour: $150
- Carolina: ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch with Guide: $136
- Craft Beer Private Tour in San Juan: $168
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayReykjavik $28San Juan $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
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Beer$8.79
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Gin Distillery tour and tasting: $25
- Eimverk Distillery Tour with Tasting: $32
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 Reykjavik and San Juan, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is San Juan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Reykjavik is in Europe 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 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik or San Juan?
Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Reykjavik and San Juan. Many visitors come to Reykjavik in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Reykjavik is much colder than San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Reykjavik gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Reykjavik usually receives less rain than San Juan. Reykjavik gets 52 mm (2 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 JulyReykjavik 11°C (52°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Reykjavik or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Reykjavik as well as San Juan. Most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Reykjavik can be very cold during autumn. In the autumn, Reykjavik is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Reykjavik in October average around 5°C (41°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the autumn, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Reykjavik gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. Reykjavik usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. Reykjavik gets 86 mm (3.4 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 OctoberReykjavik 5°C (41°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Reykjavik or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Reykjavik are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In January, Reykjavik is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around -0°C (32°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Reykjavik gets 27 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Reykjavik usually receives more rain than San Juan. Reykjavik gets 76 mm (3 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 JanuaryReykjavik -0°C (32°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Reykjavik or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Reykjavik during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the spring. Reykjavik is much colder than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 3°C (38°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Reykjavik gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
Reykjavik usually gets less rain in April than San Juan. Reykjavik gets 58 mm (2.3 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 AprilReykjavik 3°C (38°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Reykjavik
| Reykjavik | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (33°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 7°C (44°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 5°C (41°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.