Which place is cheaper, Denali National Park or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Juan or Denali National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Denali National Park? 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 Denali National Park?
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.
Denali National Park
There is a place in Alaska, 240 miles wide, where you can be a part of the wild frontier. The expansive and untouched area of Denali National Park welcomes thousands of visitors ever year with stunning natural wonders and incredible wildlife like grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou and more.
As home to North America's tallest peak, Denali has attracted nature adventurers from all over the world. Established in 1917 as wildlife refuge, Denali National Park contains areas of tundra and taiga. Taiga zones are covered in evergreen, spruce and aspen trees, while tundra zones are full of miniaturized versions of the plants including flowers, mosses and shrubs.
Remember that the weather changes without warning in Denali. It is a well known to the locals that you can expect sun, wind, rain and clouds in the same day. Pack accordingly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $192Denali National Park $218
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in Denali National Park is $218. 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 Denali National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Denali National Park $116
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Denali National Park $232
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Denali National Park
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Denali National Park? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Denali National Park $76
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denali National Park
Also for Denali National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shuttle Transfer: Anchorage ↔ Denali National Park: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Denali National Park?
Prices for flights to both Denali National Park 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 $36Denali National Park $57
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 $49Denali National Park $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.
- 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
Tours and Activities in Denali National Park
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Denali National Park.
- 2.5-Hour Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure Tour: $79
- 3 Hour Naturalist Walking Tour in Denali National Park: $119
- 4 Hour Off-Trail Hiking Tour in Denali: $199
- 5-Hour Mountain Hiking Tour in Denali: $169
- Alaskan Back Country Side by Side ATV Adventure with Meal: $150
- Authentical Denali Tour from Denali Park and Fairbanks: $260
- Classic ATV Adventure with Back Country Dining: $150
- Denali ATV Trailblazer 3.5 Hour Tour : $114
- Denali National Park Walking Tour: $125
- Denali Park Zipline Adventure: $165
- Denali Self-Guided Jeep Adventure: $244
- Half-Day Denali River Rafting Experience: $229
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Denali National Park $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 San Juan and Denali National Park, we can see that Denali National Park 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 Denali National Park 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 Denali National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit San Juan or Denali National Park?
Denali National Park 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 Denali National Park in the Summer?
Both Denali National Park 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 travelers come to Denali National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, San Juan is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Juan in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Denali National Park averages at about 60°F (15°C).
In July, San Juan usually receives around the same amount of rain as Denali National Park. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Denali National Park 60°F (15°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Denali National Park in the Autumn?
Both Denali National Park 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, many visitors come to Denali National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Denali National Park can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, San Juan is generally much warmer than Denali National Park. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (82°F), and Denali National Park fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Denali National Park. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Denali National Park 32°F (0°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Denali National Park in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Denali National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, most visitors come to Denali National Park for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Denali National Park can be very cold during winter. San Juan is much warmer than Denali National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Denali National Park fluctuates around 11°F (-12°C).
In January, San Juan usually receives more rain than Denali National Park. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Denali National Park 11°F (-12°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Denali National Park in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Denali National Park. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Denali National Park because of the natural beauty.
The weather in Denali National Park can be very cold. In the spring, San Juan is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Juan in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Denali National Park averages at about 34°F (1°C).
San Juan usually gets more rain in April than Denali National Park. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Denali National Park 34°F (1°C)
Typical Weather for Denali National Park and San Juan
| San Juan | Denali National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 11°F (-12°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.4 inches (37 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 34°F (1°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 4.2 inches (108 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 32°F (0°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 13°F (-11°C) | 1.9 inches (49 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.