Which place is cheaper, Montreal 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 Montreal?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Montreal? 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 Montreal?
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.
Montreal
While Quebec City is the political capital of Quebec Province, Montreal is the economic and cultural capital. It's also the second largest city in Canada, with a population of about 1.9 million and 4 million in the metropolitan area. It's the second largest French speaking city in the world behind Paris.
Montreal is a very trendy and vibrant city with an active nightlife and countless activities to enjoy. It's located on an island in the St. Lawrence River and has a humid continental climate. There are four distinct seasons. Summers are warm or hot and humid. Spring and fall are mild and winters are cold and snowy. You can expect about 2 meters of snow every year, but there are also more than 2,000 hours of sunshine annually.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.
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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesMontreal Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Montreal $235
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Montreal is $235. 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 Montreal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Montreal $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Montreal $262
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Montreal
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Montreal? 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 Montreal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Montreal $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $289
- Transfer in Puerto Rico with Minivan from Airport: $280
- Transfer SJU Airport to Ponce and Juana Diaz. Hotels and Airbnb Vice Versa 1 Way: $260
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $200
- Single ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $195
- Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
- Transfer SJU Airport to Dorado. Hotels and Airbnb. Vice Versa One Way Trip.: $140
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Transfer from San Juan to Ponce or Ponce to San Juan: $125
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $120
- Arrival Private Transfer SJU Airport to Old San Juan by Sedan: $120
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montreal
Also for Montreal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Montreal International Airport to Quebec City: $995
- Private Transfer Montreal International Airport to Ottawa: $703
- Private Transfer To Quebec From Montreal YUL Airport: $394
- Private Transfer To Montreal YUL Airport From Mont-Tremblant: $232
- Private Transfer To Ottawa From YUL Airport: $229
- 8 Passengers Transfer from or to Montreal Airport YUL to Montreal City Center : $222
- Private Transfer To Mont-Tremblant From Montreal YUL Airport: $215
- Private Transfer from Montreal Airport to Ottawa: $212
- Transfer Montreal International Airport to Downtown Montreal: $187
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Luxury Van: $186
- Montréal Airport (YUL) to Montreal hotel or port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $139
- Private Transfer from Montreal City to Montreal (YUL) Airport: $111
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Montreal?
Prices for flights to both Montreal 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 $62Montreal $62
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 Montreal
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Montreal:
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Tim Hortons breakfast and coffee$8.96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montreal
For Montreal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bateau-Mouche Cruise with A La Carte Dinner Option: $61
- Jean-Talon & Little Italy Food Tour with 8 Tasting: $77
- Jean-Talon Market Hidden Gems Guided Food Tour: $78
- Beyond the Market Non-Touristy Food Tour by Spade & Palacio: $81
- Mile End District Food Tour with 8+ Tastings: $81
- Montreal Cooking Class - Learn to make Dim Sums: $84
- Jean-Talon Market & Little Italy Food Tour with 8 Tastings: $89
- Montreal Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $89
- Old Montreal Food & Drink Tour by Local Montreal Food Tours: $115
- Cooking Class & Lunch with Michelin-Trained Chef: $128
- Jewish Neighborhood Food Tour: $129
- Montreal Gourmet Dinner Cruise with DJ & Dancing: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Montreal $21
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.
- Culebra Swim with Turtles Adventure and Flamenco Beach by Ferry: $130
- El Yunque Rainforest Tour Half Day Earlybird/ Small Groups: $85
- Full-Day Tour: El Yunque, Luquillo Beach, Bio Bay Night Kayaking: $155
- Puerto Rican Food Experience: $99
- "Exclusive Tour": VIP Rum Tasting at San Juan Artisan Distillers: $150
- "Yo Soy de PfknR" Bad Bunny Party Bus Experience: $145
- 1 Hour Historical UTV Tour in San Juan: $200
- 2 Tours in 1 Day: Rainforest Waterslides & Beach Tour w/Transport: $60
- 3 Tours in 1 Day: Old San Juan, Rainforest, Beach with Transport: $75
- 30-Minute Freestyle Jet Ski Adventure in the Bay: $100
- ATV Double Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $221
- ATV Single Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $149
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montreal
For Montreal, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Botanical Gardens (family of 4)$53
Tours and Activities in Montreal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montreal.
- Experience Montréal Axe Throwing Adventure: $29
- The Ultimate Montreal Boat Tour – Fall Colors Apéro Edition : $23
- 1 Hour Downtown Montreal Tour: $24
- 1h-Relaxing day or sunset cruise in Montreal: $127
- 1hr Sunset Boat tour on the St Lawrence River Old Port Montreal: $23
- A Walking Tour of Old Montreal: $25
- AURA experience at Notre-Dame Basilica and guided cruise: $76
- All about Montreal's Murals - Saturday Walking Tour: $24
- Awesome Curling Experience : $96
- Bell Centre: Montreal Canadiens Ice Hockey Game Ticket: $103
- Best of Montréal: Private Walking Tour with a Local: $107
- Best of Montreal Small Group Tour with River Cruise + Notre Dame: $126
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Montreal $16
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 Montreal
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Montreal:
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Vodka$18
Sample the Local Flavors in Montreal
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montreal:
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $24
- Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl: $24
- Guided Bar Crawl with Free Shots and Club Entry: $41
- Guided Pub Crawl of the City's Skyline Bars: $85
When comparing the travel costs between San Juan and Montreal, we can see that Montreal 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 Montreal 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 Montreal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Montreal?
Montreal has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Montreal, 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 Montreal?
Montreal 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 Montreal in the Summer?
Both Montreal 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, many travelers come to Montreal for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, San Juan is generally a little warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (83°F), and Montreal fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
It's quite sunny in Montreal. 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 Montreal during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, San Juan usually receives around the same amount of rain as Montreal. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Montreal 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit San Juan or Montreal in the Autumn?
Both Montreal 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Montreal in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
San Juan is much warmer than Montreal in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the autumn, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Montreal. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 141 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 Montreal. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Montreal 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit San Juan or Montreal in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Montreal. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Montreal for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Montreal can be very cold during winter. In the winter, San Juan is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Montreal averages at about -10°C (14°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than Montreal. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Montreal -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit San Juan or Montreal in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Montreal. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Montreal because of the activities around the city.
In April, San Juan is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 26°C (79°F), and Montreal fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
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 Montreal. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets less rain in April than Montreal. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Montreal 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Montreal and San Juan
| San Juan | Montreal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 99 mm (3.9 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.