Which place is cheaper, Newport or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Juan or Newport?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Newport? 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 Newport?
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.
Newport
Established in colonial times as one of the most important ports of Rhode Island, Newport has since transformed into a historic seaside city and resort town for many summer visitors. It has one of the highest concentrations of colonial homes in the nation in the downtown Newport Historic District, and is perhaps most known for the famous Newport Mansions. The area is also home to Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War College, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, and a major United States Navy training center. With its rich history, culture, and prime location overlooking the ocean, Newport has been host to many seaside events like the America's Cup sailing regatta as well as the Newport Folk Festival.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $192Newport $159
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in Newport is $159. 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 Newport in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Newport $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Newport $184
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Newport
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Newport? 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 Newport Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Newport $36
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 One-way Transfer: $30
- San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel : $50
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newport
Also for Newport, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Newport Port to Boston Logan Airport (BOS) : $88
- Private Transfer from Newport Cruise Port to Boston city hotels: $88
- Private Transfer from Newport Port to Providence city Hotels: $61
- Private Transfer from Newport Port to Providence Airport (PVD): $49
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Newport?
Prices for flights to both Newport 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 $36Newport $45
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 Newport
For Newport, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Newport Neighborhood Food Tour: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Newport $17
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.
- 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 Newport
For Newport, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Newport Ghosts: Seaside Hauntings and Hags Tour: $27
- Afternoon Grand Tour | Gansett Cruises in Newport, RI: $38
- Discover Newport's Grandeur: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Downtown Westerly Ghost Tour: $30
- Evening Voyage with Gansett Cruises in Newport, RI: $45
- Historic Highlights with the Gilded Age Private Van Tour: $225
- Lighthouse and Mimosa Cruise of Narragansett Bay from Newport: $42
- Morning Mimosa Cruise with Gansett Cruises in Newport, RI: $38
- Morning Mimosa Sightseeing Sail on Schooner Madeleine in Newport: $45
- Newport Afternoon Sightseeing Sail on Classic Sailboat: $45
- Newport Beach Private Tour & Whale Watching Cruise: $395
- Newport Cliff Walk & Ocean Drive Self-Guided Tours Bundle: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Newport $14
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 Newport, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Newport much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Newport 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 Newport would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Newport 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 San Juan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Juan than you might in Newport.
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 Newport Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Newport?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Newport. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Newport, 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 Newport?
Newport 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 Newport in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Newport. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, many travelers come to Newport for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, San Juan is generally a little warmer than Newport. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (83°F), and Newport fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newport this time of the year. In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Newport during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Newport receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, San Juan usually receives more rain than Newport. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Newport receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Newport 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Newport in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Newport. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Newport in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
San Juan is much warmer than Newport in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Newport fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newport. 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 Newport. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newport receives 211 hours of full sun.
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Newport. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Newport receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Newport 53°F (12°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Newport in the Winter?
Both Newport 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, most visitors come to Newport for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Newport can be very cold during winter. In the winter, San Juan is much warmer than Newport. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Newport averages at about 28°F (-2°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Newport during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Newport receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than Newport. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Newport receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Newport 28°F (-2°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Newport in the Spring?
Both Newport 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 spring months attract visitors to Newport because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In April, San Juan is generally much warmer than Newport. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 26°C (79°F), and Newport fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
In Newport, 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 Newport. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newport receives 225 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets less rain in April than Newport. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Newport receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Newport 48°F (9°C)
Typical Weather for Newport and San Juan
| San Juan | Newport | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.