Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan 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.
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Should you visit San Juan or Koh Pha Ngan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Koh Pha Ngan?
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.
Koh Pha Ngan
Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesKoh Pha Ngan Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Koh Pha Ngan $61
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $61. 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 Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Koh Pha Ngan $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Koh Pha Ngan $54
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Koh Pha Ngan
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Koh Pha Ngan $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer to Cruise Ships, Hotels, Airbnb in San Juan: $76
- Arrival Private Transfer SJU Airport to Old San Juan by Sedan: $120
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $200
- Departure Transfer from Old San Juan to to SJU Airport by Car: $86
- Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $289
- Premium Transfer in Airport, Hotel, Airbnb, Cruise: $25
- Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Private Transfer Puerto Rico:To or From Airports, Hotels &Cruises: $33
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to Cruise Port Roundtrip Servic: $109
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $115
- Private Transfer from or to San Juan and Ceiba Ferry: $93
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$9.42
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Ferry Ride$16
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Gas for Scooter$3.45
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Koh Pha Ngan?
Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan 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 $62Koh Pha Ngan $20
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:
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $165
- FlyDining: Sunset & City Lights Dinner Over Old San Juan: $165
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Cooking and Connecting with a Local in Puerto Rico: $173
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour: $179
Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:
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Noodle Lunch (for One)$1.26
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
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Smoothies (for Two)$1.26
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Ice Cream$0.63
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Juice$1.88
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3 Spring Rolls$0.94
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2 Pancakes$1.88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Koh Pha Ngan $19
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.
- Transportation in San Juan, Isla verde, Condado, Hotels, Cruises & Airbnb's SJU: $14
- San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Eco Friendly Farming Tour to Explore Dorado's Most Beautiful Farm: $20
- Discover Superb Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $23
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Local Certified Guide: $25
- San Juan Ghost Tour: Shrieks in the Sugarcane: $32
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Historic Old San Juan Sunset Walking Tour: $39
- Top Rated El Yunque Rainforest & Waterslide – VIP SmallGroup Tour: $45
- Ron del Barrilito Heritage Skip-the-Line Tour: $46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Koh Pha Ngan $11
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
- The Pinones Pub crawl Bar crawl : $70
- Local Puerto Rican Rum Distillery Tour - Ron Pepon: $90
- Puerto Rico's First and Only Craft Beer Brewery Tour! : $99
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)$8.16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Koh Pha Ngan is in Asia, 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 Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan.
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 Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Koh Pha Ngan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Koh Pha Ngan, 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 Koh Pha Ngan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit San Juan or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Koh Pha Ngan. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Koh Pha Ngan. San Juan usually gets less rain in July than Koh Pha Ngan. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
San Juan is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan in the summer. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit San Juan or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?
Both Koh Pha Ngan and San Juan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Pha Ngan is December to March. The rainy season in Koh Pha Ngan is October and November. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Pha Ngan. It's quite rainy in San Juan. In October, San Juan usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, San Juan is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (75°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit San Juan or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?
Both Koh Pha Ngan and San Juan during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Koh Pha Ngan. San Juan usually gets more rain in January than Koh Pha Ngan. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, San Juan is generally a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 25°C (77°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Koh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit San Juan or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Koh Pha Ngan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, San Juan usually receives more rain than Koh Pha Ngan. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
San Juan is around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and San Juan
| San Juan | Koh Pha Ngan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
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.