Which place is cheaper, Denver 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit San Juan or Denver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Denver? 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 Denver?
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.
Denver
The capital of Colorado, Denver is commonly referred to as "The Mile-High City" because it is at an elevation of 5,280 feet (1,600 meters) above sea level. It also sits where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, giving a beautiful backdrop for this metropolitan city. The city is the largest in the Rocky Mountains with a population of more than 600,000 and nearly 3 million in the metropolitan area. Denver is a cosmopolitan city with cowboy roots. It's cultural scene is thriving, and the outdoor recreation in the area is superb. Denver is a rapidly growing city but with change comes challenges. Urban sprawl is a problem and the city's infrastructure has reached its limits. Still, efforts are in place to maintain the character and personality that Denver is known for.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
-
San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesDenver Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Denver $272
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Denver is $272. 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 Denver in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Denver $102
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Denver $204
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Denver
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Denver? 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 Denver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Denver $94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Private Transfer-TO or FROM: SJUAirport,Cruise,Hotels Puerto Rico: $34
- Premium Transfer Service FROM or TO Rio Grande Puerto Rico: $50
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Port Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $58
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $58
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $58
- One-way transfer from SJU Airport to Cruise Port or Vice Versa: $65
- Transfer SJU Airport to Cruise Port / Vice Versa in Old S.J ONLY: $65
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Roundtrip-Transfer in Puerto Rico: From Airports, Hotels, Cruises: $71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:
- Denver Airport to Vail Transfer Group in Sprinter Van 6-14: $1,200
- Denver Airport (DEN) to Keystone resort - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $280
- Limo Service from Denver Metro to Denver Airport Transfers: $250
- Denver Airport (DEN) to Denver hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $238
- Arrival Transfer Denver Airport DEN to Denver City: $210
- Private One-way Transfer from Denver Airport to Denver: $185
- Private One-way Transfer from Denver to Denver Airport: $185
- Arrival Private Transfer: Denver Airport DEN to Denver in Luxury Van: $145
- Departure Private Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Luxury SUV: $145
- Private Transfer from Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Luxury Van: $145
- Private Transfer from Denver Airport DEN to Denver in Luxury Van: $145
- Private City Tour in Denver with Transfer: $140
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Denver?
Prices for flights to both Denver 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
-
Food Meals for one daySan Juan $62Denver $85
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:
- Fly Dining 4 Course Sunset and City Light Dinner Over San Juan: $159
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour: $179
Typical Food Prices in Denver
Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:
-
Sushi Dinner (for 2)$61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.
- Morning Downtown 16th St. Food Tour with Local Guide: $69
- RiNo Arts District Walking Food Tour: $79
- Downtown Denver Food Tour: $85
- Denver RiNo Arts District Food Tour: $85
- The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Show - Denver, CO: $89
- Denver Food Tour with Tastings in Historic Lower Downtown: $110
- Taste of the City Food Tour by Bike: $125
- Downtown Dinner Food and Drink Tour: $135
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Denver $47
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.
- 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: $15
- Outdoor Salsa Class Experience in San Juan: $19
- Eco Friendly Farming Tour to Explore Dorado's Most Beautiful Farm: $20
- Old San Juan Tour (1 Hour) by DUHO: $25
- San Juan Ghost Tour: Shrieks in the Sugarcane: $26
- Old San Juan Tour in Spanish: $30
- San Juan Cruise Port: Puerto Rico Artisan Rum Tasting: $39
- San Juan Guided Turtle Snorkel Tour and Complimentary Videos: $40
- Legacy Tour at Casa BACARDÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
Tours and Activities in Denver
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:
- 2 Hour LoDo Historic Walking Tour in Denver: $26
- 3 Hour Whiskey and History Tour: $55
- Best of Denver Bus Tour: Highlights, Views & Local Favorites: $39
- Best of Denver Walking Tour: $27
- Best of Denver Walking Tour: $27
- Bird Watching Walking Tour: $39
- Breckenridge Ultimate Full Day Mountain Tour from Denver: $139
- Cheesman Park Ghost Tour: $28
- Clyfford Still Museum Admission Ticket Denver Colorado: $18
- Colorado Rockies Baseball Game Rooftop Experience Ticket: $15
- Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods & Pikes Peak Tour: $985
- Denver After Dark Adults Only Walking Ghost Tour: $35
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Denver $5.31
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 Denver
Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Astonishing Denver Bar Crawl: Eat Denver Dining Deck Hunt!: $12
- California Vs. Colorado Wine Tasting: $30
- Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Denver Haunted Pub Crawl Spirits and Stories in LoDo: $35
- Denver Street Art, Murals & Graffiti Tour + Brewery Visit: $35
- Denver Street Art & Murals Tour + Brewery Visit/Beer Tasting: $39
- Spirits and Spirits Bar Crawl: $45
- Downtown Denver Pub Crawl - Food & Drinks Included!: $50
- Neighborhood Bar Crawl in RiNo Arts District (Denver): $50
- Make Your Own Candle at a Local Brewery in Denver: $55
- Guided Wine Tasting Experience: $55
- Vintner's Personalized Wine Tasting Experience: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan and Denver, we can see that Denver 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 Denver 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 Denver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denver 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 Denver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Denver?
Denver has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Denver, 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.
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.