Which place is cheaper, San Antonio or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Juan or San Antonio?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or San Antonio? 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 San Antonio?
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.
San Antonio
The third largest city in Texas, San Antonio, has grown in recent years as a popular travel destination. It's a beautiful city that is strategically situated at the edge of Texas's Hill Country near the South Texas Plains and Prairie Lakes areas. The city holds on to its small town feel despite having a population of about 1.4 million and 2.3 million in the greater metropolitan area. The city holds tight to its Spanish and Mexican heritage, making it a fascinating cultural destination. The Hispanic population has much influence in the city and this makes it a fun and unique city to visit, particularly during Fiesta week, which is an annual celebration with parades, music and food.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $192San Antonio $132
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in San Antonio is $132. 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 San Antonio in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124San Antonio $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248San Antonio $138
Compare Hotels in San Juan and San Antonio
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or San Antonio? 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 San Antonio Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14San Antonio $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Mendoza: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $25
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Antonio
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Antonio are as follows:
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Rental Car for a Day$60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Antonio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Antonio:
- Galveston: One-Way Transfer GLS Airport to City: $237
- Private Transfer: San Antonio Airport to San Antonio by Sedan, SUV or Minibus : $97
- Private Round Trip Transfer - San Antonio International Airport (SAT): $93
- Private One-way San Antonio Airport Transfer To/From San Antonio: $67
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or San Antonio?
Prices for flights to both San Antonio 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 $36San Antonio $40
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 San Antonio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Antonio.
- The Haunted Dinner Tour: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49San Antonio $36
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.
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historic Buildings: $5.99
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $20
- Old Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $25
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- Ron del Barrilito Skip-the-Line Heritage Tour Ticket: $46
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Antonio
Here are a few typical costs in San Antonio for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Spa Treatments$200
Tours and Activities in San Antonio
Here are a few actual costs in San Antonio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3 Hours Private Historic Sightseeing Tour in San Antonio : $95
- Best of San Antonio Small Group Tour with Boat + Tower + Alamo: $169
- Cave Without a Name Admission Ticket with Guided Cavern Tour: $25
- Downtown San Antonio Helicopter Tour: $197
- Half-Day Afternoon City Tour of Historic San Antonio : $65
- Historic Downtown & Riverwalk Walking Tour: $39
- Historic Missions Bike Tour - 2 Mission Southern Route: $65
- Historic Missions Bike Tour - 2 Missions Northern Route: $65
- Historic Spanish Missions Bike Tour - 3 Missions Tour: $85
- Hopscotch Immersive Art Experience: $24
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center San Antonio Admission Ticket: $27
- PRIVATE Missions and More - Half-day City Tour: $149
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12San Antonio -
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 San Antonio
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Antonio:
- Epic San Antonio Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- Death Warmed Over: San Antonio Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Guided Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Texas’ Oldest Haunted Pub Crawl Shared Walking Tour: $30
- Taste of Fredericksburg Small-Group Wine Tour from San Antonio: $155
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan and San Antonio, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is San Antonio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and San Antonio 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 Antonio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Antonio 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 San Antonio.
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 San Antonio Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or San Antonio?
San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and San Antonio, 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 San Antonio?
San Antonio 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 San Antonio in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to San Juan as well as San Antonio. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to San Antonio because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
San Juan is around the same temperature as San Antonio in the summer. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and San Antonio fluctuates around 87°F (31°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the summer, San Juan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 307 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets more rain in July than San Antonio. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)San Antonio 87°F (31°C)
Should I visit San Juan or San Antonio in the Autumn?
Both San Antonio and San Juan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year.
In the autumn, San Juan is a little warmer than San Antonio. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and San Antonio averages at about 73°F (23°C).
It's quite sunny in San Antonio. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than San Antonio during autumn. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. In October, San Juan usually receives more rain than San Antonio. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while San Antonio receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)San Antonio 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit San Juan or San Antonio in the Winter?
Both San Antonio and San Juan during the winter 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 San Antonio for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, San Juan is generally much warmer than San Antonio. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 25°C (77°F), and San Antonio fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the winter, San Juan often gets more sunshine than San Antonio. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 155 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets more rain in January than San Antonio. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Antonio receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)San Antonio 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit San Juan or San Antonio in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and San Antonio. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, many visitors come to San Antonio in the spring for the natural beauty.
San Juan is a little warmer than San Antonio in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and San Antonio fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Antonio this time of the year. In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than San Antonio during spring. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, San Juan usually receives more rain than San Antonio. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)San Antonio 74°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for San Antonio and San Juan
| San Juan | San Antonio | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 65°F (18°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 2.4 inches (60 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 87°F (31°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 87°F (31°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.6 inches (40 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.