Which place is cheaper, Anchorage or San Juan?
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 San Juan or Anchorage?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Anchorage? 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: San Juan or Anchorage?
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.
Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is in the south-central part of the state on the Cook Inlet. It's known for its cultural sites and also as a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains. From the sparkling waters of Cook Inlet to the tallest peaks of the Chugach Mountains, Anchorage encompasses incredible adventures and metropolitan appeals that are larger than life. With 1,500 moose, incredible national parks nearby and 60 glaciers a short drive away, it's a dream destination in Alaska.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.
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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesAnchorage Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Anchorage $228
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Anchorage is $228. 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 San Juan and Anchorage in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Anchorage $117
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Anchorage $234
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Anchorage
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Anchorage? 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: San Juan Hotel Prices and Anchorage Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Anchorage $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU)- Departure Transfer: $30
- SJU Airport Transfers (Isla Verde, Condado, Old San Juan): $38
- San Juan Transfers: $38
- Premium Transfer Service FROM or TO Rio Grande Puerto Rico: $50
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Premium Sedan, Select Zone: $59
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Port Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, Tesla 3 Luxury Sedan.: $63
- Private Transfer Airport SJU to Old San Juan Vice versa One way: $65
- One-way transfer from SJU Airport to Cruise Port or Vice Versa: $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Anchorage
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Anchorage:
- Matanuska Glacier Hike with Transfers: $329
- Private Transfer, Anchorage to Seward Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
- Dog Sled Ride in Willow with Transfers: $289
- Anchorage to Seward Cruise Transfer Tour with Port Drop-Off: $239
- Seward to Anchorage Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour: $227
- Anchorage to Seward Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour: $227
- Anchorage to Seward Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour: $227
- Anchorage to Whittier: Cruise Transfer with Wildlife Tour: $199
- Anchorage to Seward Cruise Transfer with Exit Glacier: $190
- Portage Glacier Express with Van Transfer from Anchorage: $123
- Anchorage to Seward Direct Transfer Tour: $79
- ANC Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Anchorage?
Prices for flights to both Anchorage and San Juan 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 daySan Juan $62Anchorage $87
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:
- Authentic San Juan Guided Walking Food Tour with Pina Colada: $109
- Private Puerto Rican Cooking Class in San Juan for Groups: $146
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- FlyDining: 4 Courses Dinner with City Lights & Ocean Breeze: $185
- Fly Dining 4 Course Sunset or City Lights Dinner Over San Juan: $185
Typical Food Prices in Anchorage
Some typical examples of dining costs in Anchorage are as follows:
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Bread$4.25
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Breakfast for Two$17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Anchorage
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Anchorage.
- Anchorage Sightseeing and Food Tour - Available All Year Long!: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Anchorage $30
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
- San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Old San Juan Tour (1 Hour) by DUHO: $25
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Local Certified Guide: $25
- San Juan Ghost Tour: Shrieks in the Sugarcane: $26
- Explore Old San Juan Walking Tour: $30
- Paddleboard Adventure: Explore Marine Life: $35
- VIP San Juan Salsa Night Experience at Luxury Condado Beach: $35
- San Juan Guided Turtle Snorkel Tour and Complimentary Videos: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BACARDÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
Typical Entertainment Prices in Anchorage
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Anchorage are as follows:
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1 Day Bike Rental$33
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1/2 Day Rafting Trip$105
Tours and Activities in Anchorage
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Anchorage are as follows:
- Aerial Tram and Wildlife Center tour from Anchorage: $199
- Alaska 9 Day Ocean Wildlife to Interior Wilderness Adventure: $7,599
- Alaska Road Trip: Anchorage, Seward, Homer & Denali Audio Tour: $40
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center & Turnagain Arm Tour: $149
- Alaska Wildlife Day Tour with Free Hotel Pickup: $122
- Alaska Wildlife Tour: $119
- Alaska Wildlife Visit and Glacier Cruise Adventure: $259
- Alaska: Kenai Fjords & Denali National Park 5 Day Adventure: $2,599
- Anchorage City Tour and Highlights: $55
- Anchorage City Tour w/ Taste of Wild Smoked Salmon & Reindeer Sausage: $69
- Anchorage City Tour w/ Wild Smoked Salmon & Reindeer Sausage: $69
- Anchorage City Tour, w/Choc Factory Samplings: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Anchorage $20
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Anchorage
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Anchorage:
- Distillery Tour in the Heart of Anchorage: $25
- Chocolate and Wine Tasting Tour: $110
- Girdwood Views and Brews with Aerial Tram and Brewery: $209
- Hike Matanuska Glacier w/Alaska Honey, Wine Tasting: $315
When comparing the travel costs between San Juan and Anchorage, we can see that Anchorage 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 San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Anchorage is in North America, 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 San Juan Expensive? and Is Anchorage Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Anchorage?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Anchorage. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Anchorage, 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 San Juan or Anchorage?
Anchorage 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 San Juan or Anchorage in the Summer?
Both Anchorage and San Juan during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Anchorage for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
San Juan is much warmer than Anchorage in the summer. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Anchorage fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).
In Anchorage, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the summer, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets more rain in July than Anchorage. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Anchorage 59°F (15°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Anchorage in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Anchorage. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
The weather in Anchorage can be very cold. In the autumn, San Juan is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Anchorage averages at about 35°F (2°C).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during autumn. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Juan usually receives more rain than Anchorage. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Anchorage 35°F (2°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Anchorage in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Anchorage. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Anchorage this time of year.
It's quite cold in Anchorage in the winter. In January, San Juan is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 25°C (77°F), and Anchorage fluctuates around 15°F (-9°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the winter, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets more rain in January than Anchorage. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Anchorage 15°F (-9°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Anchorage in the Spring?
Both Anchorage and San Juan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Anchorage for the natural beauty.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Anchorage. San Juan is much warmer than Anchorage in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Anchorage fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).
It's quite sunny in Anchorage. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during spring. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, San Juan usually receives more rain than Anchorage. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Anchorage 36°F (2°C)
Typical Weather for Anchorage and San Juan
| San Juan | Anchorage | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 15°F (-9°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 35°F (2°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 17°F (-8°C) | 1.1 inches (28 mm) |
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.