Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Salto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Salto or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salto 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: Salto or San Juan?
Salto
Salto is in the citrus growing region of Northern Interior Uruguay, on the east bank of the Rio Uruguay. It is closely connected to the neighboring Argentinian city of Concordia that lies across the river on the western bank. Salto is Uruguay's second-largest city and the most northerly crossing point to Argentina. Salto is a very picturesque city that has a relaxing feel the entire year. However, people mostly come here for the nearby hot springs and the recreation area above the enormous Salto Grande hydroelectric dam.
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 Adventure Tours to Uruguay, and The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalto $71San Juan $186
The average daily cost (per person) in Salto is $71, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $186. 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 Salto and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalto $30San Juan $124
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalto $60San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Salto and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Salto 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: Salto Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salto $22San 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 from San Juan (SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Ponce: $125
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Private Transportation in Puerto Rico From or To San Juan Airport(SJU) Transfers: $33
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Salto or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Salto 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
-
Food Meals for one daySalto $25San 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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salto $18San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Horseback Riding Tour$40
-
Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
-
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
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- Walking tour of Oaxaca City: $48
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySalto $13San 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salto and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Salto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Salto 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 Salto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salto 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 Salto.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salto Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salto or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Salto. When comparing the sizes of Salto 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 Salto or San Juan?
Salto 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 Salto or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Salto during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In the summer, Salto is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Salto in January average around 25°C (77°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F)in July.
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Salto. In the summer, Salto often gets less sunshine than San Juanin July. Salto gets 262 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 Salto. Salto usually gets more rain in January than San Juanin July. Salto gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySalto 25°C (77°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Salto or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Salto and San Juan. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Salto is generally cooler than San Juanin October. Daily temperatures in Salto average around 19°C (65°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Salto usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Salto gets 182 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. Salto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Salto usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juanin October. Salto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSalto 19°C (65°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Salto or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Salto as well as San Juan. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Salto is much colder than San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Salto averages around 12°C (54°F) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the winter, Salto often gets less sunshine than San Juanin January. Salto gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Salto usually gets more rain in July than San Juanin January. Salto gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySalto 12°C (54°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Salto or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Salto are popular destinations to visit in the spring 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 spring, Salto is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Salto in October average around 18°C (64°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salto. Salto usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Salto gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Salto. In October, Salto usually receives more rain than San Juanin April. Salto gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSalto 18°C (64°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Salto
| Salto | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (65°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (69°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 119 mm (4.7 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.