Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg and San Juan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Saint Petersburg or San Juan?
Saint Petersburg
Located at the base of the Tampa Bay peninsula of Florida, Saint Petersburg is a city known for its pleasant weather, coastal activities, and downtown arts scene. Nicknamed the "Sunshine City," Saint Petersburg is also a popular location for golfing, boating, fishing and beachgoing in addition to the usual entertainment options to be found in a thriving city.
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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $204San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $204, 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 Petersburg and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $127San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $254San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg 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 Petersburg Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $47San Juan $14
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
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
- 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
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Saint Petersburg 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 Petersburg $49San Juan $36
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Saint Petersburg:
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Burger Dinner (for 2)$20
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Indian Food Dinner (for 2)$37
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Gelato (for 2)$8.00
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Breakfast at Piper's Patio (for 2)$17
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 Petersburg $13San Juan $49
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
- 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
- Cave Day Tour From San Juan: $109
- Craft Beer Private Tour in San Juan: $168
- Cruise Ship Travelers: Hike to a Hidden Puerto Rican Waterfall: $85
- Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo: $175
- Discover El Yunque: Half-Day Rainforest Tour: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $41San Juan $12
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 comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and San Juan, we can see that Saint Petersburg is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Saint Petersburg is in North America and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Petersburg Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Saint Petersburg. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg 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 Petersburg or San Juan?
Saint Petersburg 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 Petersburg or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Saint Petersburg. In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than San Juan. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) 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 JulySaint Petersburg 82°F (28°C)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Petersburg because of the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 76°F (24°C), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Saint Petersburg gets 234 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. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg is June to November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 76°F (24°C)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and San Juan. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Petersburg this time of year. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 59°F (15°C), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) 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 JanuarySaint Petersburg 59°F (15°C)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as San Juan. Many travelers come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Saint Petersburg is cooler than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than San Juan. Saint Petersburg gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than San Juan. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 73°F (23°C)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 59°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 62°F (17°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 67°F (20°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 78°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 82°F (28°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 76°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 69°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 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.