Which place is cheaper, Oahu or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Juan or Oahu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Oahu? 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 Oahu?
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.
Oahu
Hawaii is the epitome of paradise, and at the heart of paradise is the island of O'ahu (or Oahu). While it's only the third largest of the Hawaiian islands, O'ahu, or "the gathering place," is the most populous in the state with approximately 976,000 people calling O'ahu home, many of which live in the capital city of Honolulu.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $192Oahu $333
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in Oahu is $333. 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 Oahu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Oahu $237
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Oahu $474
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Oahu
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Oahu? 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 Oahu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Oahu $21
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 Oahu
Also for Oahu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Luxury Transfer Between Ko Olina and Honolulu Airport, Vice Versa: $240
- Private Transfer from Honolulu (HLN) Airport to North Shore : $203
- Private Transfer from Honolulu (HLN) Airport to Pupukea: $203
- Honolulu Airport & Ko Olina Hotels Private Transfer by Passenger Van(14 ppl): $170
- Private Transfer from Beach Resorts to Honolulu Airport HNL by Executive Sedan: $157
- Private Transfer Waikiki to Honolulu Airport HNL by Executive SUV: $148
- Full-Day Island Highlights Tour with Transfer: $136
- Private Transfer from Honolulu (HLN) Airport to Ko Olina: $127
- Private Transfer: Honolulu to Honolulu Airport HNL in Sedan Car: $108
- Honolulu Harbor Cruise Terminal Transfer: $105
- Ko Olina or Kapolei to Airport Private Transfer: $100
- Manoa Falls Waterfall Hike with Lunch and Transfers: $98
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Oahu?
Prices for flights to both Oahu 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 $36Oahu $52
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 Oahu
For Oahu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 2-Hour Dinner Cruise in Honolulu: $97
- Moonlight Dinner Cruise in Honolulu: $106
- Sunset Dinner Cruise in Honolulu: $125
- Honolulu Sunset & Fireworks Dinner Cruise: $129
- Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show at Aloha Tower: $129
- Hawaii Semisub Classic Friday Fireworks Dinner Cruise: $170
- Hawaiian Food Tour by Bike in Oahu: $179
- Germaine's Traditional Luau Show & Buffet Dinner: $191
- Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner and Jazz: $225
- Traditional Canoe Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Oahu $27
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 Oahu
For Oahu, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Tour de Honolulu" Foodie Bike Tour: $189
- New Year’s Eve Midnight Cruise: $246
- 1.5 -Hour Guided Whale and Marine Life Tour: $89
- 18 Minutes PRIVATE Helicopter Tour in Honolulu: $248
- 2-Hour Private Botanical Facial with Hand Dip Experience: $175
- 3 Hour Waikiki Waterslide, Snorkel and Wild Life Cruise: $109
- 3-Hour Honolulu Bottom Fishing Adventure : $87
- 30 Minutes SHARED Helicopter Tour in Honolulu: $284
- 4 Hour Guided Scuba Diving Adventures in Waikiki: $249
- 5:00PM Sunset Cruise & Whale Watch from Oahu (Wahine Koa): $57
- ATV Adventure in Hawaii by Da Mongoose EzRaider: $139
- Afternoon Waikiki Glass Bottom Boat Cruise: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Oahu $6.47
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 Oahu
Also in Oahu, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Whiskey Tour - Koʻolau Distillery - Kailua, Hawai'i 96734: $25
- History Tour Pub Crawl in Waikiki: $45
- Waikiki History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan and Oahu, we can see that Oahu 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 Oahu 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 Oahu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oahu 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 Oahu Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit San Juan or Oahu?
Oahu 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 Oahu in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Oahu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, many visitors come to Oahu in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, San Juan is around the same temperature as Oahu. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Juan in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Oahu averages at about 81°F (27°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oahu 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 Oahu during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 303 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, San Juan usually receives more rain than Oahu. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Oahu 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Oahu in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Oahu. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Oahu for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, San Juan is generally around the same temperature as Oahu. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (82°F), and Oahu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oahu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the autumn, San Juan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oahu. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 246 hours of full sun.
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Oahu. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Oahu 80°F (26°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Oahu in the Winter?
Both Oahu 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 Oahu because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
San Juan is a little warmer than Oahu in the winter. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Oahu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
It's quite sunny in Oahu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Oahu during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than Oahu. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Oahu 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Oahu in the Spring?
Both Oahu 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 beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Oahu this time of year.
In the spring, San Juan is around the same temperature as Oahu. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Juan in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Oahu averages at about 76°F (24°C).
In Oahu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the spring, San Juan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oahu. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 253 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets more rain in April than Oahu. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Oahu 76°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Oahu and San Juan
| San Juan | Oahu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (98 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.