Which place is cheaper, Big Island of Hawaii or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Juan or Big Island of Hawaii?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Big Island of Hawaii? 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 Big Island of Hawaii?
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.
Big Island of Hawaii
What comes to mind when someone says, "Hawaii"? Probably sandy beaches, coconut drinks and lazy days of tanning. It's a dream destination for those who want to get away, but the island of Hawai'i, or the Big Island as it's most commonly called, has so much more to offer than a place to catch up on your latest novel.
At 93 miles across, and a population of 185 thousand, the Big Island was once a large exporter of sugarcane. After its final plantation closed in 1996, tourism became the backbone of Hawai'i Island's economy. More recently, the Big Island has become the focus for sustainable tourism – visiting a place as a tourist and trying to make only a positive impact on your destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $192Big Island of Hawaii $250
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in Big Island of Hawaii is $250. 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 Big Island of Hawaii in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Big Island of Hawaii $112
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Big Island of Hawaii $224
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Big Island of Hawaii
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Big Island of Hawaii? 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 Big Island of Hawaii Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Big Island of Hawaii $38
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 San Juan or Big Island of Hawaii?
Prices for flights to both Big Island of Hawaii 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 $36Big Island of Hawaii $106
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.San Juan $49Big Island of Hawaii $35
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 daySan Juan $12Big Island of Hawaii $32
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 San Juan and Big Island of Hawaii, we can see that Big Island of Hawaii is more expensive. And not only is San Juan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Big Island of Hawaii is in North America, 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 San Juan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan 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 Big Island of Hawaii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Big Island of Hawaii than you might in San Juan.
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 Big Island of Hawaii Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit San Juan or Big Island of Hawaii?
Big Island of Hawaii 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 Big Island of Hawaii in the Summer?
Both Big Island of Hawaii and San Juan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Big Island of Hawaii in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
San Juan is a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii in the summer. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Big Island of Hawaii. In July, San Juan usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Big Island of Hawaii 76°F (24°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Big Island of Hawaii in the Autumn?
Both Big Island of Hawaii and San Juan during the autumn 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 Big Island of Hawaii for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, San Juan is a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Big Island of Hawaii averages at about 76°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the autumn, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 138 hours of full sun.
Big Island of Hawaii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually gets less rain in October than Big Island of Hawaii. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Big Island of Hawaii 76°F (24°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Big Island of Hawaii in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Big Island of Hawaii. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Big Island of Hawaii because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, San Juan is generally a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 25°C (77°F), and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.
Big Island of Hawaii receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Big Island of Hawaii 72°F (22°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Big Island of Hawaii in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Big Island of Hawaii. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Big Island of Hawaii this time of year.
San Juan is a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the spring, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 134 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Big Island of Hawaii. San Juan usually gets less rain in April than Big Island of Hawaii. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Big Island of Hawaii 73°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Big Island of Hawaii and San Juan
| San Juan | Big Island of Hawaii | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 8.7 inches (221 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 10.8 inches (274 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 13.6 inches (345 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 15.6 inches (395 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 10.7 inches (272 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 8.5 inches (215 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 9.8 inches (248 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 14.8 inches (375 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 12.6 inches (321 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.