A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Juan vs. Easter Island for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Juan or Easter Island?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit San Juan or Easter Island? 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 Easter Island?

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.

Easter Island

Although Easter Island is considered a territory of Chile, it is actually located far out in the Pacific, almost halfway to Tahiti. Easter Island is well known, despite being one of the most isolated islands on Earth, because of the mysterious giant stone busts which date back centuries. There are 887 monumental statues, called moai, that were built by the Rapa Nui people. There remains much mystery around the historic Polynesian culture which created the stones, as well as the specific meaning for them.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Easter Island or San Juan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in Easter Island is $80. 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 Easter Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Juan $124
    Easter Island $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Juan $248
    Easter Island $88
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Easter Island

Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Easter Island? 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.

Hotels in San Juan


Hotels in Easter Island


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Juan $14
    Easter Island $2.59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan

Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
  • San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
  • San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $271
  • San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $271
  • Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla Y Luxury SUV, Select Zone: $77
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla S Lux Sedan, Select Zone: $79
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103

Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Easter Island?

Prices for flights to both Easter Island 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 day
    San Juan $36
    Easter Island $25

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
  • Private Local Food Tour in San Juan: $275

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Easter Island

For Easter Island, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Dinner, Show and Traditional Curanto Te Ra'ai Cultural Experience: $120
  • Rapa Nui Dinner Show on Easter Island: $153

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Juan $49
    Easter Island $40
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.

  • Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan: $65
  • 1 or 2 Hour Puerto Rico Horseback Ride Experience!: $210
  • Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
  • Carolina: ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch with Guide: $136
  • Cave Day Tour From San Juan: $109
  • Cruise Ship Travelers: Hike to a Hidden Puerto Rican Waterfall: $85
  • Culebra Beach Day Tour with Snorkeling from San Juan by Ferry: $200
  • Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo: $175
  • Discover El Yunque: Half-Day Rainforest Tour: $115
  • Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
  • El Yunque National RainForest: Tour with Nature walk: $75
  • El Yunque Rainforest Guided Day Tour from San Juan: $85

Typical Entertainment Prices in Easter Island

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Easter Island's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Bike Rental
    $8.38

Tours and Activities in Easter Island

For Easter Island, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2-Day Tour Touring the Highlights of Rapa Nui: $300
  • Half Day Private Tour: Caves and Volcanic Refuges: $170
  • 2 Day Private Tour: Rapa Nui's Cultural Heritage: $300
  • 2 Days Highlights Tour in Easter Island Moai and Nature: $210
  • 3 Hours Terevaka Horseback Private Guided Riding Tour: $180
  • Easter Island Full-Day Tour: Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku and Anakena Beach: $171
  • Easter Island Moai Archaeology Tour: Ahu Akivi, Ahu Tahai and Puna Pauâ Quarry.: $91
  • Poike Volcano Private Hiking Tour with Guide: $280
  • Experience Easter Island Shared Tour for Cruise Ship Passengers : $290
  • Full Day Hotu Matua Tour from Vaihu to Anakena: $70
  • Full Day Private Tour: Factory of the Moai the stone giants: $219
  • Full Day Tour - The Land of Hotu Matu´a: $177

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Juan $12
    Easter Island $5.34

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 Easter Island, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Easter Island much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Easter Island is in South 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 Easter Island would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Easter Island 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 Easter Island.

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 Easter Island Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, San Juan or Easter Island?

San Juan has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Easter Island. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Easter Island, 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 Easter Island?

Easter Island 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 Easter Island in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Easter Island. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.

San Juan is a little warmer than Easter Island in the summer. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Easter Island fluctuates around 24°C (74°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Easter Island this time of the year. In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Easter Island during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Easter Island receives 272 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, San Juan usually receives more rain than Easter Islandin January. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    San Juan 28°C (83°F) 
    Easter Island 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit San Juan or Easter Island in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Easter Island. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, San Juan is a little warmer than Easter Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Easter Island averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the autumn, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Easter Islandin April. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Easter Island receives 185 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Easter Island. San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Easter Islandin April. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    San Juan 28°C (82°F) 
    Easter Island 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit San Juan or Easter Island in the Winter?

Both Easter Island and San Juan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.

In January, San Juan is generally a little warmer than Easter Islandin July. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 25°C (77°F), and Easter Island fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Easter Island during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Easter Island receives 148 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Easter Island. In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than Easter Islandin July. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    San Juan 25°C (77°F) 
    Easter Island 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit San Juan or Easter Island in the Spring?

Both Easter Island and San Juan during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

San Juan is a little warmer than Easter Island in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Easter Island fluctuates around 20°C (67°F)in October.

In Easter Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the spring, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Easter Islandin October. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Easter Island receives 224 hours of full sun.

San Juan usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Easter Islandin October. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    San Juan 26°C (79°F) 
    Easter Island 20°C (67°F)

Typical Weather for Easter Island and San Juan

San Juan Easter Island
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 24°C (74°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 20°C (69°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 19°C (67°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 18°C (65°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 19°C (65°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 20°C (67°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 21°C (69°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)


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