Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Saint Augustine?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Augustine or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine 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: Saint Augustine or San Juan?
Saint Augustine
St. Augustine is the oldest European-established settlement in the United States. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon landed nearby and claimed the land now known as Florida in the name of Spain in 1513. They had originally named the land La Florida, which means "Land of Flowers". The city was founded by Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565. Sir Francis Drake and John Davis burnt the city to the ground in 1586 and 1665 respectively, but St. Augustine soon became strong enough to fend off such attacks. Florida was purchased by the United States from Spain in 1819; it seceded during the Civil War, during which St. Augustine was occupied by Union forces.
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 Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Augustine $159San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Augustine is $159, 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 Saint Augustine and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Augustine $86San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Augustine $172San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Saint Augustine and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Saint Augustine 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: Saint Augustine Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Augustine $39San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Mendoza: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $25
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- 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 Saint Augustine or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Saint Augustine 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 daySaint Augustine $49San Juan $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Augustine
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Augustine.
- Feast of Saint Augustine Walking Food Tour: $139
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.Saint Augustine $18San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Saint Augustine
Here are a few actual costs in Saint Augustine for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Arcimoto Electric Vehicle Adventure Rental in St. Augustine: $96
- 1-Hour Your Studiyo Admission Ticket: $34
- : Step back in time with pastime private historical tours: $38
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour of St Augustine's Twisted History: $20
- Adventure Boat Tours - Ghost Boat - Boo Cruise: $40
- Adventure Boat Tours - Sunset Water Tour in St. Augustine: $38
- Adventure Meets History Tour in St Augustine: $89
- Afterlife Tours- Beyond the Grave Tour: $25
- Airboat Adventure in Saint Augustine with a Guide: $80
- America‘s Oldest City: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of St Augustine: $20
- Bay to City Nights of Lights Tour by Boat and Cart: $150
- Best of St. Augustine with Scenic Cruise: $193
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 daySaint Augustine $25San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Augustine
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Augustine:
- The Original Haunted Pub Tour: $24
- Ghosts and Spirits of St Augustine Pub Crawl Tour: $39
- Toast of St. Augustine Walking Pub Crawl - drinks included: $63
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 Saint Augustine and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Saint Augustine much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Augustine is in North 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 Saint Augustine would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Augustine Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine or San Juan?
Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Saint Augustine during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Saint Augustine is around the same temperature as San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Augustine. In the summer, Saint Augustine often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Saint Augustine gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Augustine. Saint Augustine usually gets more rain in July than San Juan. Saint Augustine gets 5.4 inches (137 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 JulySaint Augustine 82°F (28°C)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Saint Augustine or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Augustine and San Juan. Most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Saint Augustine is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Augustine in October average around 70°F (21°C), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Augustine usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Saint Augustine gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Saint Augustine usually receives less rain than San Juan. Saint Augustine gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Augustine 70°F (21°C)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Saint Augustine or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint Augustine as well as San Juan. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In January, Saint Augustine is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 53°F (12°C), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the winter, Saint Augustine often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Saint Augustine gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Saint Augustine usually gets more rain in January than San Juan. Saint Augustine gets 3.3 inches (83 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 JanuarySaint Augustine 53°F (12°C)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Saint Augustine or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Saint Augustine are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Saint Augustine is cooler than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Augustine. Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during spring. Saint Augustine gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan. Saint Augustine gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Augustine 68°F (20°C)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Saint Augustine
| Saint Augustine | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 56°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 5.7 inches (146 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 7.8 inches (199 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 79°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (180 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 70°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 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.