Which place is cheaper, Sacramento or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Juan or Sacramento?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Sacramento? 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 Sacramento?
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.
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital city and one of the oldest cities in the state of California. It was founded in 1849 in the midst of the Gold Rush, and has since grown to a population of over 500,000 people. The atmosphere is more laid back than most major cities, and its heritage is rooted in the Gold Rush and Transcontinental Railroad era.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $192Sacramento $281
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in Sacramento is $281. 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 Sacramento in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Sacramento $111
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Sacramento $222
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Sacramento
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Sacramento? 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 Sacramento Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Sacramento $51
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 Sacramento
Also for Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $222
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $111
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Sacramento?
Prices for flights to both Sacramento 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 $36Sacramento $53
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 Sacramento
For Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Historic Old Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $95
- Midtown Sacramento Arts and Food Tour: $98
- Downtown Sacramento Historical Food Tour: $98
- Midtown Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $125
- Midtown Walking Food Tour: $145
- Italian Cooking and Dance Class Experience: $160
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Sacramento $19
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 Sacramento
For Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Auburn to Placerville: $12
- A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Jackson to Angels Camp: $12
- A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Placerville to Jackson: $12
- Davis Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Delta's History and Wine: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $12
- Downtown Sacramento Mural and Art Walking Tour : $45
- Driving in Delta’s Wine Country: Private Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Folsom Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Full-Day Boarding Experience Wakeboard,Wakesurf,orKneeboard: $850
- Gold Rush and Ghosts of Sacramento Smart Phone guided (App/GPS) Walking Tour: $6.75
- Half Day Boarding Experience Wakeboard,Wakesurf,or Kneeboard: $425
- Historic Folsom: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Sacramento $12
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 Sacramento
Also in Sacramento, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Sacramento Bar Hunt: Sacramento Sprint Bar Crawl: $12
- Cider and Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch - near Sacramento: $125
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan and Sacramento, we can see that Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sacramento 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 Sacramento Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Sacramento?
Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Sacramento, 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 Sacramento?
Sacramento 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 Sacramento in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Sacramento. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, many visitors come to Sacramento in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, San Juan is a little warmer than Sacramento. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Juan in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Sacramento averages at about 76°F (24°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 439 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, San Juan usually receives more rain than Sacramento. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Sacramento receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Sacramento 76°F (24°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Sacramento in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Sacramento. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Sacramento for the shopping scene during these months.
In October, San Juan is generally much warmer than Sacramento. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (82°F), and Sacramento fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sacramento. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the autumn, San Juan often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 300 hours of full sun.
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Sacramento. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Sacramento 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Sacramento in the Winter?
Both Sacramento 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 Sacramento because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
San Juan is much warmer than Sacramento in the winter. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Sacramento fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Sacramento during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than Sacramento. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Sacramento receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Sacramento 45°F (7°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Sacramento in the Spring?
Both Sacramento 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 the spring, San Juan is much warmer than Sacramento. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Juan in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Sacramento averages at about 58°F (15°C).
In Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the spring, San Juan often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 328 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets more rain in April than Sacramento. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Sacramento 58°F (15°C)
Typical Weather for Sacramento and San Juan
| San Juan | Sacramento | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 65°F (18°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 2.6 inches (65 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.