Which place is cheaper, Rotorua 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 Rotorua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Rotorua? 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 Rotorua?
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.
Rotorua
Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.
Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.
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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesRotorua Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Rotorua $114
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is $114. 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 Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Rotorua $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Rotorua $96
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Rotorua? 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 Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Rotorua $4.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in Puerto Rico with Minivan from Airport: $280
- Transfer from San Juan to Ponce or Ponce to San Juan: $125
- Transfer SJU Airport to Ponce and Juana Diaz. Hotels and Airbnb Vice Versa 1 Way: $260
- Transfer SJU Airport to Dorado. Hotels and Airbnb. Vice Versa One Way Trip.: $140
- Single ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $195
- San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports: $66
- San Juan hotels to San Juan PR Cruise Port - Departure Transfer: $30
- San Juan Puerto Rico Private Transfers: $105
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $120
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- San Juan One-way Transfer - Cruise, SJU, Hotels, Airbnb: $30
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotorua
Also for Rotorua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rotorua to Auckland Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Glow Worms: $186
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua 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 $62Rotorua $50
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet: $98
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience - Haka + Dinner: $113
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience with Dinner: $117
- Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner: $156
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Combo - Tour, Dinner + Haka: $161
- Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with dinner: $202
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Rotorua $34
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: $51
- 3 Tours in 1 Day: Old San Juan, Rainforest, Beach with Transport: $64
- 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 Rotorua
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Rotorua's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Lunch Out for Two$27
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4x4 Self Drive Yamaha Experience : $90
- Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua: $35
- Auckland: One-Way Tour to Rotorua with Waitomo Caves: $181
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights Tour with Wai-O-Tapu & Hot Tubs: $204
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights inc Te Puia Tour & Redwoods: $208
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights inc Wai O Tapu & Te Puia Tour: $225
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights with Te Puia Tour, Show & Lunch: $228
- Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū : $162
- From Auckland: Rotorua Private Day Tour with Spa Experience: $585
- From HELL's GATE Geothermal MUD BATH Half Day Tour: $159
- From Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Festive Lunch: $177
- From WAI-O-TAPU Geothermal Wonderland Half-Day Tour: $103
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Rotorua $12
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 Rotorua
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rotorua:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan and Rotorua, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Rotorua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Rotorua is in Pacific, 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 Rotorua would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rotorua 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 Rotorua.
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 Rotorua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Rotorua?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?
Rotorua 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 Rotorua in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Rotorua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, San Juan is generally much warmer than Rotoruain January. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (83°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In July, San Juan usually receives more rain than Rotoruain January. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit San Juan or Rotorua in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Rotorua. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
San Juan is much warmer than Rotorua in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in April.
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit San Juan or Rotorua in the Winter?
Both Rotorua 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 museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.
In the winter, San Juan is around the same temperature as Rotorua. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Rotorua averages at about 26°C (79°F)in July.
In January, San Juan usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit San Juan or Rotorua in the Spring?
Both Rotorua 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. Also, many travelers come to Rotorua for the natural beauty.
In April, San Juan is generally a little warmer than Rotoruain October. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 26°C (79°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
San Juan usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and San Juan
| San Juan | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.