Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Riga or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or San Juan? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Riga or San Juan?
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
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.
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Riga Prices
Latvia PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga $141San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is $141, 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 Riga and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga $60San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga $120San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Riga and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Riga 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: Riga Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga $11San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Riga Prison Break Transfer with Retro Bus and Drinks: $1,498
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Pärnu City Tour: $680
- 100% Private Countryside Sauna, Hot Tub & Transfer: $565
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $494
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $448
- 2-Hour Quad Bike Tour with Transfer: $311
- Abandoned Building Exploration Tour with Transfer: $288
- Private Transfer from Riga to Baltics: $265
- 4x4 Off-Road Adventure with Hotel Transfers: $254
- Super Grand Prix - Go-Kart Racing with Transfers: $249
- Snowmobile Adventure with Transfer: $196
- Riga Limo Airport Transfer: $175
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU)- Departure Transfer: $29
- Premium Transfer Service FROM or TO Rio Grande Puerto Rico: $50
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Port Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- Private Transfer Airport SJU to Old San Juan Vice versa One way: $65
- San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports: $67
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Airport Transfer to Cruise Ships, Hotels, Airbnb in San Juan: $75
- Private Transfer in San Juan: $75
- Dorado Transfers: $75
- Private Transfer from San Juan Airport (SJU) to Ponce Cruise Port: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Riga 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 dayRiga $66San Juan $62
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch$6.68
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Riga Central Market Food Tour with Guide & Tastings ENG, DE: $26
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour with 20 taste samples: $52
- Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $69
- Latvian Cooking Class in a Local Home: $114
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $127
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $128
- Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $248
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:
- Puerto Rican Gastronomy Cooking Class: $167
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Fly Dining 4 Course Sunset and City Light Dinner Over San Juan: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga $16San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- 2 Hours Walking Tour in Legends and Secret of Riga's Old Town: $105
- 24h Riga Sightseeing Red Bus Grand Tour: $35
- 5,5 Hour Small Group Tour to Hill of Crosses from Riga: $88
- ATV Quad guided off road tour: $200
- Admission Ticket to Live Silver Museum: $13
- Aeroplane Flight Experience: $80
- Ancient Private Walking Tour in Riga Old Town Hunt: $99
- Art Nouveau Riga Walking Tour Architectural Gems and Highlights: $176
- Audio Tour of Riga Old Town: $12
- Bobsleigh - Truly Unique Winter Adventure!: $170
- Civilization Secrets Private Walking Tour in Riga: $455
- Comprehensive 2.5 Hour Riga City Tour by Bus and Foot: $41
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.
- The Ultimate Self-Guided Hidden Gems Tour in Puerto Rico: $5.00
- San Juan’s Historic Streets Audio Guided Walking Tour: $12
- Transportation in San Juan, Isla verde, Condado, Hotels, Cruises & Airbnb's SJU: $14
- Outdoor Salsa Class Experience in San Juan: $19
- San Juan Ghost Tour: Shrieks in the Sugarcane: $26
- Explore Old San Juan Walking Tour: $30
- Paddleboard Adventure: Explore Marine Life in Condado Lagoon: $35
- San Juan Guided Turtle Snorkel Tour and Complimentary Videos: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BACARDÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- Top Rated El Yunque Rainforest & Waterslide – SmallGroup Tour: $45
- 1 Hour Bull Maze Adventure at Toroverde Urban Park San Juan: $45
- Ron del Barrilito Heritage Skip-the-Line Tour: $46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga $23San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $29
- Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
- Brewery Tour with Beer and Riga Balsam Tasting: $32
- Combo Brewery Tour + Canal Boat tour: $39
- 2 in 1 - Old Town Walking Tour & Pub Crawl: $40
- Private - Riga Pub Crawl: $40
- Riga 2 in 1 Tour: Art Nouveau Tour & Pub Crawl: $45
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $50
- Game Night & Pub Crawl: $51
- Authentic Latvian Brewery Beer Tasting & Riga Highlight Tour: $51
- Pub Crawl for 50+ with Folk Clubs & Authentic Bars: $52
- Latvian Brewery Visit & 5 Beer tasting: $52
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 Riga and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Riga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga 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 Riga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Riga 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 Riga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or San Juan?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 78% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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 Riga or San Juan?
Riga 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 Riga or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Riga as well as San Juan. The summer months attract visitors to Riga because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In July, Riga is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in July than San Juan. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) 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 JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Riga or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Riga this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Riga is much colder than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In October, Riga usually receives less rain than San Juan. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Riga or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Riga during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Riga. In the winter, Riga is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in January than San Juan. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) 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 JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Riga or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and San Juan. Many visitors come to Riga in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Riga is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In April, Riga usually receives less rain than San Juan. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Riga
| Riga | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.