Which place is cheaper, Santa Monica or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Juan or Santa Monica?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Santa Monica? 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 Santa Monica?
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.
Santa Monica
When it comes to visiting Los Angeles, Santa Monica is high on the must-see-and-do list. Chances are you'll recognize the iconic ferris wheel from Pacific Park in films and TV shows, and nothing beats the relaxed yet bustling vibe of this laid-back city.
Santa Monica is a popular and diverse beach town, cultural hub, fitness venue, shopping district, and neighborhood full of unique and trendy restaurants, all rolled into one. Visited by more than 6 million people a year, it's no wonder you'll always find a crowd there.
So whether you're up for a high-end shopping spree, bicycling down the waterfront, an eclectic food crawl or simply a stroll down the promenade, Santa Monica is sure to have something in store for you.
The weather in Santa Monica is moderate, with average summer highs in the low to mid 70s and winter climate that rests comfortably around the low 50s. Though flip flops and sandals are considered year-round footwear in Los Angeles, bring comfortable walking shoes for browsing galleries, malls, and boutiques. Santa Monica is the perfect place to break out your California-casual wardrobe.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $192Santa Monica $210
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in Santa Monica is $210. 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 Santa Monica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Santa Monica $123
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Santa Monica $246
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Santa Monica
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Santa Monica? 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 Santa Monica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Santa Monica $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Mendoza: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $25
- San Juan One-way Transfer: $30
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel : $50
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- 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
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Monica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Monica:
- Santa Monica to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Deparure Private Transfer: $80
- Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport Departure Private Transfer: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Santa Monica?
Prices for flights to both Santa Monica 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 $36Santa Monica $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 Santa Monica
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Monica.
- Flavors of Venice Beach Food Tour: $96
- Los Angeles Premier Dinner Cruise from Marina del Rey: $124
- Marina del Rey Christmas Day Buffet Dinner Cruise: $175
- Marina del Rey Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise: $175
- Marina del Rey Father's Day Plated Dinner Cruise: $222
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Santa Monica $38
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
Tours and Activities in Santa Monica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Monica are as follows:
- 15 Passengers Open Ocean/Harbor Cruise Party Boat Marina Del Rey: $129
- 2 Hour Sailing Adventure From Marina Del Rey: $160
- 3-Hour Santa Monica and Venice Beach Bike Guided Tour : $72
- 4.5 Hour Venice Beach Open Air Van Tour: $65
- 5.5-Hour Exclusive Malibu Stars Homes & Beautiful Beach Tour: $80
- All Day Tour 6.5 Hour : $111
- Bring-Your-Own-Food and Drinks Marina del Rey Boat Tour: $80
- City Tour of Los Angeles from Torrance and El Segundo: $122
- Dolphin Sighting Sunset Tour: $90
- Dolphins Whales and Sea Lion Wildlife Sightseeing Boat Tour: $90
- Explore Malibu's Coast: PCH & Beyond - Self Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Karaoke Boat Cruise ( Drinks included) LA's best attraction: $149
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Santa Monica $21
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 Santa Monica
Also in Santa Monica, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Vintage VW Hippie Tour to Malibu with wine tasting: $195
- Vintage VW Hippie Shared Tour to Malibu with Wine Tasting: $199
- Charcuterie Board and Wine Tasting in Marina Bay: $300
When comparing the travel costs between San Juan and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Santa Monica is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Santa Monica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Santa Monica?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica?
Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica in the Summer?
Both Santa Monica and San Juan during the summer 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 and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.
In the summer, San Juan is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Juan in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Santa Monica averages at about 70°F (21°C).
San Juan usually gets more rain in July than Santa Monica. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Santa Monica 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Santa Monica in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Santa Monica. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the shopping scene.
In October, San Juan is generally a little warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (82°F), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).
San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Juan usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Santa Monica 67°F (20°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Santa Monica in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Santa Monica. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
San Juan is much warmer than Santa Monica in the winter. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
San Juan usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Santa Monica 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Santa Monica in the Spring?
Both Santa Monica and San Juan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the beaches during these months.
In the spring, San Juan is much warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Juan in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Santa Monica averages at about 61°F (16°C).
In April, San Juan usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Santa Monica 61°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Monica and San Juan
| San Juan | Santa Monica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 0.6 inches (15 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.