Which place is cheaper, Martha's Vineyard or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit San Juan or Martha's Vineyard?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Martha's Vineyard? 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 Martha's Vineyard?
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.
Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard is a famous destination for CEO's, celebrities, and executives. It's an island that's just 8 miles from the Cape Cod peninsula and it is a popular place to "summer" for many recognizable people. Martha's Vineyard has become so popular among the stars, that it's no longer surprising to see a celebrity hanging around.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $192Martha's Vineyard $241
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in Martha's Vineyard is $241. 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 Martha's Vineyard in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Martha's Vineyard $132
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Martha's Vineyard $264
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Martha's Vineyard
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Martha's Vineyard? 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 Martha's Vineyard Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Martha's Vineyard $83
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
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Martha's Vineyard?
Prices for flights to both Martha's Vineyard 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 daySan Juan $36Martha's Vineyard $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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Martha's Vineyard $30
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.
- 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 Martha's Vineyard
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Martha's Vineyard.
- 3-Hour Martha's Vineyard Island Tour from Oak Bluffs: $65
- All Island Bus Tour: $65
- Martha's Vinyard Driving & Walking GPS-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Martha’s Vineyard Self-Guided (APP/GPS) Audio Walking Tour: $7.75
- Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard Audio Tour: $13
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Martha's Vineyard $22
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 Martha's Vineyard, we can see that Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit San Juan or Martha's Vineyard?
Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard in the Summer?
Both Martha's Vineyard 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, the summer months attract visitors to Martha's Vineyard because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, San Juan is generally a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (83°F), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
It's quite sunny in Martha's Vineyard. 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 Martha's Vineyard during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, San Juan usually receives more rain than Martha's Vineyard. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Martha's Vineyard 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Martha's Vineyard in the Autumn?
Both Martha's Vineyard 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. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year.
San Juan is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).
In Martha's Vineyard, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the autumn, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 211 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 Martha's Vineyard. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Martha's Vineyard 53°F (12°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Martha's Vineyard in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Martha's Vineyard. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Martha's Vineyard. In the winter, San Juan is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 28°F (-2°C).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than Martha's Vineyard. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Martha's Vineyard 28°F (-2°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Martha's Vineyard in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Martha's Vineyard. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In April, San Juan is generally much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 26°C (79°F), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Martha's Vineyard. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the spring, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 225 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets less rain in April than Martha's Vineyard. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Martha's Vineyard 48°F (9°C)
Typical Weather for Martha's Vineyard and San Juan
| San Juan | Martha's Vineyard | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 38°F (3°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 33°F (0°C) | 4.1 inches (105 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.