Which place is cheaper, Hilton Head Island or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Juan or Hilton Head Island?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Hilton Head 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 Hilton Head 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.
Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head, also called Hilton Head Island, is primarily a resort and beach town off the coast of South Carolina. Located on a barrier island, the place is best known for its beaches and golf courses overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $192Hilton Head Island $243
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in Hilton Head Island is $243. 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 Hilton Head Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Hilton Head Island $129
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Hilton Head Island $258
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Hilton Head Island
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Hilton Head 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.
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 Hilton Head Island Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Hilton Head Island $34
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 One-way Transfer: $30
- San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel : $50
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Hilton Head Island?
Prices for flights to both Hilton Head 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
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Food Meals for one daySan Juan $36Hilton Head Island $60
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hilton Head Island
For Hilton Head Island, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dolphin Watching 3-Course Dinner Cruise: $70
- Sunset Hibachi Dinner Cruise : $102
- Hilton Head Sunset Dinner Cruise: $106
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $106
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Hilton Head Island $23
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 Hilton Head Island
For Hilton Head Island, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- #1 Historical Horse Drawn Carriage Tour: $35
- 1 Hour Private Dolphin Tour Hilton Head Island: $250
- 2-Hour Hilton Head Guided Kayak Nature Tour: $45
- 90 Minute Hilton Head Dolphin Tour: $48
- 90 Minute Hilton Head Dolphin and Nature Cruise: $45
- 90 minute Hilton Head Sunset Dolphin Cruise: $55
- Beaufort City Minibus Tour: $35
- Beaufort Ghost Walking Tours : $22
- Beaufort Gullah Heritage Tour: $49
- Beaufort’s #1 Horse & Carriage History Tour: $35
- Complete History and Movie Walking Tour of Beaufort: $30
- Daufuskie Island Daily Round Trip Ferry Tickets: $54
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Hilton Head Island $26
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Pinones Pub crawl in Puerto Rico: $50
Sample the Local Flavors in Hilton Head Island
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Hilton Head Island:
- Hilton Head's ONLY Distillery Experience: $55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan and Hilton Head Island, we can see that Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Hilton Head Island?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hilton Head Island. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Hilton Head 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 Hilton Head Island?
Hilton Head 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 Hilton Head Island in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Hilton Head Island. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, many travelers come to Hilton Head Island for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, San Juan is generally around the same temperature as Hilton Head Island. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (83°F), and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hilton Head 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 Hilton Head Island during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Hilton Head Island receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.
Hilton Head Island receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, San Juan usually receives less rain than Hilton Head Island. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Hilton Head Island 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Hilton Head Island in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Hilton Head Island. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
San Juan is a little warmer than Hilton Head Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hilton Head Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the autumn, San Juan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hilton Head Island. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilton Head Island receives 223 hours of full sun.
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Hilton Head Island. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Hilton Head Island 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Hilton Head Island in the Winter?
Both Hilton Head 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. Also, most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, San Juan is much warmer than Hilton Head Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Hilton Head Island averages at about 48°F (9°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Hilton Head Island during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Hilton Head Island receives 176 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than Hilton Head Island. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Hilton Head Island 48°F (9°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Hilton Head Island in the Spring?
Both Hilton Head 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. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Hilton Head Island because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, San Juan is generally a little warmer than Hilton Head Island. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 26°C (79°F), and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
In Hilton Head Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the spring, San Juan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hilton Head Island. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilton Head Island receives 275 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Hilton Head Island. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Hilton Head Island 67°F (19°C)
Typical Weather for Hilton Head Island and San Juan
| San Juan | Hilton Head Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 5.9 inches (150 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.9 inches (200 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (164 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 5.6 inches (141 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.3 inches (83 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.