Should you visit San Fernando or San Juan?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Fernando or San Juan, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
San Fernando
As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.
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.
Which city is cheaper, San Juan or San Fernando?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in San Fernando is $123, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $153. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for San Fernando and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in San Fernando can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $59, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $118.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $198 in San Juan For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The average traveler spends about $38 per day in San Fernando for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
Food in San Juan costs travelers about $29 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
San Fernando $38
San Juan $29
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:
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Flavors of Old San Juan Food Tour:
$112
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Authenic Puerto Rican Food Tasting Cooking Lesson (Volunteer Option Available):
$115
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Old San Juan Sunset Walk & Taste Food Tour:
$119
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Puerto Rican Food Tour:
$152
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in San Fernando than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $40 on transportation in San Fernando on average per day.
To get around in San Juan, the average visitor spends $11 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Fernando
Also for San Fernando, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Arrival Private Transfer San Fernando Airport FDO to Buenos Aires City by Sedan:
$83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private transfer: San Juan to San Juan Airport (SJU):
$622
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Roun Trip Transfer Zip Line Toro Verde:
$300
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Private Arrival Transfer from San Juan Cruise Port to Hotel in Ponce:
$228
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Private Arrival Transfer from San Juan Cruise Port to Hotel in Vieques:
$151
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Private Transfer San Juan SJU Airport to San Juan-Isla Verde-Condado by Van:
$141
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Transfers between Culebra, Vieques ferry port to SJU airport or San Juan hotels:
$132
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Private Arrival Transfer from San Juan Cruise Port to Hotel in Fajardo:
$128
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Transfers from San Juan (Rincón/Mayaguez/Aguadilla/Cabo Rojo) to the West Side:
$125
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Private San Juan, PR Transfer: Cruise Port to Airport or Hotel:
$109
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Private San Juan, PR Transfer: Hotel to Airport or Cruise Port:
$109
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Private Transfer San Juan, Isla Verde or Condado to San Juan SJU Airport by SUV:
$107
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Private Transfer San Juan-Isla Verde-Condado to San Juan SJU Airport by Town Car:
$96
Is it cheaper to fly into San Fernando or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and San Fernando 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in San Fernando, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $23 per day, per person.
In San Juan, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $40 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in San Fernando
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Fernando.
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Amazing Air Tour Sightseeing Flight through Buenos Aires to Martin Garcia Island:
$298
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.
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(Cruise ship Travelers) Hike to a Hidden Waterfall:
$85
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(cruise ship travelers) Center of Puerto Rico Day tour:
$85
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2.5-Hour Historical Walking Tour of Old San Juan:
$65
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ATV and Kioscos de Luquillo Experience!:
$150
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Aguas Buenas Agricultural Paradise Tour:
$82
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Aquafari Flight Tour Culebra Island from San Juan:
$325
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Arecibo Caves Experience!:
$150
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Arenales Caves and River Adventure in Puerto Rico:
$94
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Arte Boriken-Puerto Rican Urban Art Tour W/ Sip & Paint:
$120
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Be Happy Puerto Rico Hop On Hop Off Tour:
$69
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Beginners Scuba Diving Tour in San Juan:
$99
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Big Waterfall Hiking Adventure - Puerto Rico:
$65
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In San Fernando, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $17.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In San Juan, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $9.83.
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
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Bacardi Rum Distillery and Old San Juan Tour:
$95
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Private Old San Juan and Bacardí or Barrilito Distillery Experience:
$195
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Bacardi Rum Distillery with Cocktail Class and Old San Juan tour:
$208
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3 Day Puerto Rico Extravaganza (Beach, Biobay, Rain Forest, Distillery & Old SJ):
$902
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Fernando and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is San Fernando much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Fernando would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Fernando 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 San Fernando.
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