Which place is cheaper, Minneapolis or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit San Juan or Minneapolis?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Minneapolis? 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 Minneapolis?
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.
Minneapolis
Known as one of the Twin Cities with its neighbor, Saint Paul, the Minneapolis area is the second largest economic center in the Midwest, behind Chicago. Originally a city of lumber and flour milling, the city has grown to prosper in commerce, rail and trucking, health care, industry, education, publishing, milling, and food processing amongst others. In addition to housing the headquarters for five Fortune 500 Companies, Minneapolis is a city of thriving culture. From visual arts, music, and theater to sporting events and award-winning restaurants, the entertainment is never lacking.
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 $192Minneapolis $206
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in Minneapolis is $206. 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 Minneapolis in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Minneapolis $110
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Minneapolis $220
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Minneapolis
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Minneapolis? 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 Minneapolis Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Minneapolis $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $271
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $271
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla Y Luxury SUV, Select Zone: $77
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla S Lux Sedan, Select Zone: $79
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Minneapolis
Also for Minneapolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Minneapolis Airport (MSP) to Minneapolis - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $137
- Private Departure Transfer to Minneapolis Airport MSP: $88
- Private Arrival Transfer from Minneapolis Airport MSP: $88
- Minneapolis Airport (MSP) to Minneapolis - Arrival Private Transfer: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Minneapolis?
Prices for flights to both Minneapolis 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 $36Minneapolis $40
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
- Private Local Food Tour in San Juan: $275
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Minneapolis
For Minneapolis, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Minneapolis Food Tour - Walking: $115
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Minneapolis $27
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
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
- Carolina: ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch with Guide: $136
- Cave Day Tour From San Juan: $109
- Cruise Ship Travelers: Hike to a Hidden Puerto Rican Waterfall: $85
- Culebra Beach Day Tour with Snorkeling from San Juan by Ferry: $200
- Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo: $175
- Discover El Yunque: Half-Day Rainforest Tour: $115
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- El Yunque National Forest and Luquillo Beach Tour: $75
Tours and Activities in Minneapolis
For Minneapolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Hour Historic Heartbeats of Minneapolis Senior Tour with Guide: $193
- Candlelight Ghost Trolley Tour in Minneapolis: $55
- Challah Baking Experience: $72
- Christmas in the City: A Minneapolis Walking Tour: $689
- Complete Minneapolis Walking Tour: $99
- Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Minneapolis with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
- Ghost Walking Tour in Minneapolis: $29
- In the Footsteps of Prince: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- In the Footsteps of Prince: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Downtown Minneapolis: $7.99
- Lost Souls Tour: $20
- Mall of America: 1-Hour Escape Room Adventure: $44
- Mall of America: Crayola Experience Flexible Date Ticket: $31
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Minneapolis $24
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 Minneapolis
Also in Minneapolis, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- History and 4-Bar Crawl Guided Walking Tour: $69
- All-Inclusive Minneapolis Craft Brewery Tour: $85
- 3-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $100
When comparing the travel costs between San Juan and Minneapolis, we can see that Minneapolis is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Minneapolis is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Minneapolis Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Minneapolis?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Minneapolis. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis?
Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Minneapolis. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, many visitors come to Minneapolis in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, San Juan is a little warmer than Minneapolis. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Juan in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Minneapolis averages at about 76°F (25°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Minneapolis this time of the year. In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives less sunshine than Minneapolis during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 357 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, San Juan usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Minneapolis 76°F (25°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Minneapolis in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Minneapolis. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Minneapolis for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
In October, San Juan is generally much warmer than Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (82°F), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the autumn, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Minneapolis. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 178 hours of full sun.
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Minneapolis. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Minneapolis 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Minneapolis in the Winter?
Both Minneapolis and San Juan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Minneapolis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Minneapolis can be very cold. San Juan is much warmer than Minneapolis in the winter. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Minneapolis fluctuates around 15°F (-10°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Minneapolis during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 157 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Juan usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Minneapolis 15°F (-10°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Minneapolis in the Spring?
Both Minneapolis and San Juan during the spring 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 activities around the city are the main draw to Minneapolis this time of year.
In the spring, San Juan is much warmer than Minneapolis. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Juan in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Minneapolis averages at about 49°F (10°C).
In Minneapolis, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the spring, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Minneapolis. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 244 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets more rain in April than Minneapolis. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Minneapolis 49°F (10°C)
Typical Weather for Minneapolis and San Juan
| San Juan | Minneapolis | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 15°F (-10°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 34°F (1°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 49°F (10°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.9 inches (22 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.