Which place is cheaper, Honolulu or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Juan or Honolulu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Honolulu? 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 Honolulu?
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.
Honolulu
Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the state's center for government, finance, and transportation. It's also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the state of Hawaii. Nearly one million people live in this Honolulu metropolitan area. This is almost 80% of the state's population. The city is not the relaxed Hawaiian destination that you might be searching for, but is instead a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. In addition to attracting many tourists every year, you'll also find international businesses, military defense and a diverse culture and population.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $192Honolulu $284
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in Honolulu is $284. 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 Honolulu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Honolulu $183
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Honolulu $366
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Honolulu
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Honolulu? 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 Honolulu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Honolulu $26
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Honolulu
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Honolulu are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
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Airport Shuttle for Two$30
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Hilton Parking$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Honolulu
Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Honolulu HNL Airport Round-Trip Private Transfer in SUV: $272
- Private Round-Trip Transfer: Honolulu International Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $271
- Arrival Transfer Honolulu Airport HNL to Beach Resorts by SUV: $211
- VIP Transfer: Ko Olina to Honolulu Airport or Vice Versa: $199
- Chief's Luau Admission Including Transfers: $181
- Honolulu Airport & KoOlina Hotels Private Transfer by Luxury SUV(up to 5 People): $180
- Private Transfer from HNL Airport to Honolulu / Waikiki : $164
- HNL Airport & Waikiki Private Transfer by Brand New Mercedes Van: $160
- Arrival Private Transfer Honolulu Airport HNL to Beach Resorts by Executive Car: $157
- Private Transfer from Honolulu Airport HNL to Waikiki by SUV: $148
- Oahu: 3 Ziplines and Coral Crater Tour with Transfer: $147
- Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Passenger Van(up to 14ppl): $140
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Honolulu?
Prices for flights to both Honolulu 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 $36Honolulu $53
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
Typical Food Prices in Honolulu
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:
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Dinner for Two$73
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Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream$5.55
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Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)$53
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Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)$34
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Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)$7.50
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Hot Dog with the Fixins'$8.30
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Sushi Dinner for Two$73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hawaii Food Tour - Off The Beaten Path : $150
- Oahu Da Local's Food Tour: $150
- Lanai Tabura curated Private Aloha Plate Food Tour from Honolulu: $239
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Honolulu $40
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Parking for Hike$5.00
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Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two$12
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2 hr Dinner Cruise$85
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1 Day Kayak Rental$36
Tours and Activities in Honolulu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.
- Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial, small group Tour: $80
- 'Lost' and Movie Tour: $200
- 1 Hour Private Luxury Classic Car Sightseeing City Tour Honolulu: $138
- 3 Hour Sightseeing *SPECIALTY Tour: $149
- 3 Hour Sunrise Photo Tour with Malasada: $65
- 3 Hour Waikiki Waterslide and Ocean Playground Cruise: $113
- 3-Hour Adventure in Waikiki Water Park Adventure: $127
- 5 Hour Half Day Island Jeep Tour: $190
- 5 Hour Small Group Tour in Pearl Harbor and Honolulu: $145
- 5-Star Oahu Sightseeing with local food & shrimp plate included: $133
- 6 Hour Local Food Plate Jeep Tour: $230
- 6 Hour Romantic Hawaii Jeep Tour: $276
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Honolulu $6.47
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 Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu 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 Honolulu 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 Honolulu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Honolulu 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 Honolulu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Honolulu?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Honolulu. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Honolulu, 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 Honolulu?
Honolulu 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 Honolulu in the Summer?
Both Honolulu 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, most visitors come to Honolulu for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
San Juan is around the same temperature as Honolulu in the summer. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Honolulu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
It's quite sunny in Honolulu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Honolulu during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 303 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, San Juan usually receives more rain than Honolulu. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Honolulu 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Honolulu in the Autumn?
Both Honolulu 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Honolulu because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, San Juan is around the same temperature as Honolulu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Honolulu averages at about 80°F (26°C).
In Honolulu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the autumn, San Juan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Honolulu. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 246 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Honolulu. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Honolulu 80°F (26°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Honolulu in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Honolulu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Honolulu this time of year.
In January, San Juan is generally a little warmer than Honolulu. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 25°C (77°F), and Honolulu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Honolulu this time of the year. In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Honolulu during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than Honolulu. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Honolulu 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Honolulu in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Honolulu. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Honolulu for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
San Juan is around the same temperature as Honolulu in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Honolulu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Honolulu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the spring, San Juan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Honolulu. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 253 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets more rain in April than Honolulu. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Honolulu 76°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Honolulu and San Juan
| San Juan | Honolulu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (98 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.