Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit San Juan or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Ottawa? 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 Ottawa?
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.
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River. A city of many ethnic populations, Ottawa is uniquely bilingual with English as the first language of the population's majority and French as a close second. It is best known as the nation's capital, which is centered on Parliament Hill, an architectural landmark as well as the seat of government.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $192Ottawa $122
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is $122. 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 Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Ottawa $18
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Ottawa? 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 Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Ottawa $7.21
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 Ottawa
Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa 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 $36Ottawa $17
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 Ottawa
For Ottawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical : $71
- Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $79
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Ottawa $40
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
- 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 Ottawa
For Ottawa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour: $59
- A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $6.99
- Best of Ottawa Neighbourhoods & Nature Bike Tour: $82
- Best of Ottawa Small Group Tour with River Cruise: $133
- Best of Ottawa Small Group Walking Tour with Boat Cruise: $85
- City Beers: Bus Tour of Ottawa Breweries: $75
- Explore Canada Through Ottawa's Eyes with Walking Tours Through The City: $6.68
- Full Day Montreal and Cruise Tour from Ottawa: $115
- Gems and Surprises – Ottawa Walking Tour: $186
- Helicopter Private Tour Over Ottawa 70KM in 20 min : $150
- Hidden Ottawa Secrets Walking Tour: $25
- Ottawa Boat Cruise - Paul's Boat Line: $36
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Ottawa $18
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 Ottawa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ottawa:
- Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan and Ottawa, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Ottawa 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 Ottawa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ottawa 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 Ottawa.
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 Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Ottawa, 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 Ottawa?
Ottawa 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 Ottawa in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Ottawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In July, San Juan is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (83°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa 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 Ottawa during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, San Juan usually receives more rain than Ottawa. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit San Juan or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Ottawa. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
San Juan is much warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
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 Ottawa. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Ottawa. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit San Juan or Ottawa in the Winter?
Both Ottawa 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.
Ottawa can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, San Juan is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Juan usually receives more rain than Ottawa. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit San Juan or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa 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.
In April, San Juan is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 26°C (79°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the spring, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Ottawa. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and San Juan
| San Juan | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 73 mm (2.9 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.