Which place is cheaper, Maui or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit San Juan or Maui?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Maui? 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 Maui?
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.
Maui
Who hasn't spent at least one Monday morning fantasizing about holding a mai tai on a Hawaiian beach? A trip to Maui may be just what we all have in mind, but it's so much more than a drink on a sandy towel.
At over 700 square miles, the island of Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian islands with a small population of just over 140,000 people. The island enjoys approximately two seasons a year with a mild climate just about everywhere. Rough living, right?
Voted "Best Island in the World" by many in the travel industry, Maui is the center for whale watching, relaxing on the beach, snorkeling, and the home of a large and lush rainforest.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $192Maui $275
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in Maui is $275. 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 Maui in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Maui $141
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Maui $282
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Maui
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Maui? 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 Maui Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Maui $62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Mendoza: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $25
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Maui
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Maui:
- Private Customizable Road to Hana Tour with Transfer: $500
- Private Customizable Island Tour with Transfer: $500
- Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) to Maui - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $170
- Private transfer: Kahului Airport (OGG) to Kahului: $99
- Private transfer: Kahului to Kahului Airport (OGG): $99
- Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) to Maui hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $85
- Maui to Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) - Departure Private Transfer: $85
- Private Transfer from Lahaina Cruise Port to Kahului Airport(OGG): $80
- Private Transfer from Lahaina Cruise Port to Maui city hotels: $80
- Private Transfer from Maui City Hotels to Lahaina Cruise Port: $80
- Private Departure Transfer to Maui Kahului Airport OGG: $78
- Private Arrival Transfer from Maui Kahului Airport OGG: $31
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Maui?
Prices for flights to both Maui 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 $36Maui $94
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 Maui
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Maui.
- From Ma'alaea Harbor: Sunset Dinner Cruise Aboard the Quicksilver: $120
- From Ma'alaea Harbor: Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise Aboard Calypso: $130
- Ma'alaea Harbor: Sunset Prime Rib or Mahi Mahi Dinner Cruise : $140
- Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise from Ka’anapali Beach: $154
- South Gilligans' Island Luau with Dinner and Drinks: $166
- Mystery Puzzle Food Tour in Lahaina for 2 People: $170
- Premium Dinner Cruise: Four Course Dining Experience - Ma'alaea: $170
- Maui Sunset Luau Dinner Cruise from Ma'alaea Harbor aboard Pride of Maui: $187
- Haleakala's Best Sunset Tour with Dinner: $210
- Wailele Luau Including Fire and Knife Performance plus Dinner: $219
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Maui $38
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.
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historic Buildings: $5.99
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $20
- Old Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $25
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- Ron del Barrilito Skip-the-Line Heritage Tour Ticket: $46
Tours and Activities in Maui
Here are a few actual costs in Maui for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Upcountry Farm Tour on Maui : $300
- Sunset Tour to Haleakalā National Park from Paia : $189
- 1pm Haleakala Guided Downhill Tour: $149
- 2 hour Maalaea Luxury Powerboat Sunset Cruise Exclusive 6 Guests: $283
- 2hr Koa Kai Sunset Whale Watch Adventure: $149
- 3 Hours Guided Koa Kai Snorkel Adventure & Sunset Combo: $83
- 4 Dual-Zipline Mountain Adventure ~ Maui: $200
- 4-HR Molokini Crater + Turtle Town Snorkeling Experience: $180
- 4-Hour Lanai Snorkel & Dolphin Tour from Lahaina: $205
- 7-Line Maui Zipline Tour on the North Shore: $149
- Afternoon Adventure Snorkel from Ka'anapali: $169
- All Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle: $40
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Maui $41
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 Maui
Also in Maui, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Goat Farm, Distillery, & Glass-Blowing Tour w/ Tasting: $224
- Maui Tour : Iao Valley, Hawaiian Distillery and Lavender Farm Tour: $300
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan and Maui, we can see that Maui 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 Maui 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 Maui would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maui 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 Maui Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit San Juan or Maui?
Maui 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 Maui in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Maui. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Maui this time of year.
In the summer, San Juan is around the same temperature as Maui. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Juan in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Maui averages at about 79°F (26°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the summer, San Juan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Maui. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets more rain in July than Maui. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Maui 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Maui in the Autumn?
Both Maui 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. Also, many travelers come to Maui for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, San Juan is generally around the same temperature as Maui. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (82°F), and Maui fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Maui. 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 Maui during autumn. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. In October, San Juan usually receives more rain than Maui. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Maui 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Maui in the Winter?
Both Maui 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. Also, many visitors come to Maui in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
San Juan is a little warmer than Maui in the winter. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Maui fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).
In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the winter, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Maui. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun.
Maui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. San Juan usually gets less rain in January than Maui. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Maui 72°F (22°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Maui in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Maui. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, most visitors come to Maui for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, San Juan is a little warmer than Maui. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Juan in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Maui averages at about 74°F (24°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Maui during spring. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, San Juan usually receives more rain than Maui. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Maui 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Maui and San Juan
| San Juan | Maui | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 73°F (23°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.