Which place is cheaper, Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Las Vegas? 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 Las Vegas?
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.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas has long been the gambling capital of the United States. Known as "Sin City," it is a hot spot for bachelor and bachelorette parties, but in recent years it has seen a dramatic increase in weddings and business conferences. It is the largest city in the state of Nevada and one of the most visited and well known cities in the country. It is located in the Mojave Desert in South Nevada and has a very arid climate with very hot and dry summers. The average high in July is 104 degrees Fahrenheit, but as many people like to say "its a dry heat." Winters are cooler and pleasant with highs around 60 degrees Fahrenheits. Snow is very rare but the surrounding mountains are often topped with snow during the winter months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesLas Vegas Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Las Vegas $369
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Las Vegas is $369. 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 Las Vegas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Las Vegas $158
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Las Vegas $316
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Las Vegas
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Las Vegas? 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 Las Vegas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Las Vegas $53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU)- Departure Transfer: $30
- SJU Airport Transfers (Isla Verde, Condado, Old San Juan): $38
- San Juan Transfers: $38
- Premium Transfer Service FROM or TO Rio Grande Puerto Rico: $50
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Premium Sedan, Select Zone: $59
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Port Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, Tesla 3 Luxury Sedan.: $63
- Private Transfer Airport SJU to Old San Juan Vice versa One way: $65
- One-way transfer from SJU Airport to Cruise Port or Vice Versa: $65
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Las Vegas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Las Vegas are as follows:
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24 Hr Bus Pass$15
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24 hrs Deuce Bus$7.00
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Taxi from Airport to the Strip$36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Las Vegas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Las Vegas:
- Los Angeles: Private Transfer to/from Las Vegas: $1,600
- Las Vegas Airport: Party Bus 1-Way Transfer: $329
- Las Vegas Airport Private Luxury Transfer 6 Passenger SUV: $275
- Grand Canyon West Airplane Air Tour from Vegas with transfer: $264
- Round Trip Private Transfer Las Vegas Airport to Las Vegas by suv: $245
- Las Vegas Airport LAS Round-Trip Private Transfer in SUV: $224
- From Nellis Dunes ATV Tour with Shuttle Transfer: $200
- RoundTrip Private Transfer Las Vegas by SUV Cadillac Escalade: $200
- Tailored Travel Services Hotels, Tours, and Transfers: $188
- Las Vegas Airport (LAS) to Lake Las Vegas - Round-Trip Transfer: $188
- Manila ATV Mountain Trail Adventure(with Transfers***): $185
- Arrival Private Transfer: Las Vegas Airport LAS to Las Vegas in Luxury Car: $175
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Las Vegas?
Prices for flights to both Las Vegas 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 $62Las Vegas $139
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 San Juan Guided Walking Food Tour with Pina Colada: $109
- Private Puerto Rican Cooking Class in San Juan for Groups: $146
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- FlyDining: 4 Courses Dinner with City Lights & Ocean Breeze: $185
- Fly Dining 4 Course Sunset or City Lights Dinner Over San Juan: $185
Typical Food Prices in Las Vegas
Some typical examples of dining costs in Las Vegas are as follows:
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Coffee$5.00
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Deep Fried Twinkie$1.07
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Chocolate Dip Banana$1.07
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Gelato$5.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Las Vegas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Las Vegas.
- Manila Street Food tour and Drinks Tasting : Eat like a local: $45
- "Classic Country" show & dinner at Firelight Barn in Henderson: $49
- "Back to the Hits" show & dinner at Firelight Barn: $49
- Cowboy Christmas Show & Dinner at Firelight Barn in Henderson NV: $49
- Manila Filipino Cooking Class: Meryenda Favorites: $51
- Interactive Murder Mystery Show and Dinner at Firelight Barn: $58
- Manila Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Binondo Bites Manila Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience and Tasting: $65
- Manila Food Tour Experience with Local Guide: $70
- Makati Street Food tour Experience: $73
- Chocolate Truffle Making Cooking Class in Las Vegas: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Las Vegas $78
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.
- 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: $17
- Old San Juan Tour (1 Hour) by DUHO: $25
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Local Certified Guide: $25
- San Juan Ghost Tour: Shrieks in the Sugarcane: $26
- Explore Old San Juan Walking Tour: $30
- Paddleboard Adventure: Explore Marine Life: $35
- VIP San Juan Salsa Night Experience at Luxury Condado Beach: $35
- San Juan Guided Turtle Snorkel Tour and Complimentary Videos: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BACARDÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
Typical Entertainment Prices in Las Vegas
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Las Vegas are as follows:
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Wedding Chapel$139
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Atomic Testing Museum (two people)$12
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Gondola Ride (4 person)$64
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Monorail Ride$5.00
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NY NY Rollercoaster$14
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Circus Circus Adventure Dome Day Pass$26
Tours and Activities in Las Vegas
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Las Vegas are as follows:
- 1 Euro High-Speed GoKart Race Ticket With Arcade credit Las Vegas: $30
- 1-Day Grand Canyon Antelope Horseshoe :Stargazing Daily tour: $369
- 1-Day Grand Canyon Tour from Stargazing & Sunrise: $399
- 2 Hour History Walking Tour of the Strip with Local Historian: $139
- 2 Hour Mob History Tour in Talking GoCar with Mob Museum Entry: $116
- 2-Hour Fremont Walking Tour with Photos and Champagne: $119
- 2-Hour Guided Segway Tour of Downtown Las Vegas: $99
- 2-Hour Private Guided Sidecar Tour in Las Vegas: $161
- 2-Hour Private Tour of Las Vegas by Night on a Sidecar: $193
- 2-Hour Vegas Strip Walking Tour with Photos,Champagne & Vintage Vegas Goody Bags: $149
- 2-Hours Hiking Night Tour to Strip Views in Las Vegas: $50
- 2018 Mayon Lava Trail - Mayon ATV Adventure: $63
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Las Vegas $55
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 Las Vegas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Las Vegas:
- Bars Unknown Fremont St Bar Crawl with a Local: $31
- Mobsters, Casinos, and Speakeasy Bar Crawl: $35
- Las Vegas Fremont Street Bar Crawl (party bus add-on option): $36
- Bars Unknown: The Original Las Vegas Strip Bar Crawl: $39
- Las Vegas Bar Crawl by Party Bus with Free Drinks: $49
- Zombie Burlesque Comedy Musical Show Ticket: $49
- Zombie Burlesque at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino: $49
- Fantasy Burlesque Show at Luxor Hotel & Casino: $53
- Downtown Las Vegas Bar Crawl 5 Bars 5 Drinks and Poker Game: $53
- Country Bar Crawl by Party Bus w/ Mixed Drinks: $55
- Las Vegas Country Bar Crawl by Party Bus w/ Free Drinks: $59
- Vegas Country Bar Crawl: Party Bus & Drinks Included: $59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan and Las Vegas, we can see that Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Las Vegas?
Las Vegas has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Las Vegas, 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.