A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Juan vs. The Hamptons for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Juan or The Hamptons?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit San Juan or The Hamptons? 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 The Hamptons?

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.

The Hamptons

The Hamptons is a series of small villages and hamlets along the East End of Long Island. The area is a famous seaside resort destination that has long attracted the rich and famous from New York, New England, and elsewhere in the United States.

The Hamptons are famous as an expensive summer destination with posh seaside homes, prestigious country clubs, and wealthy vacationers. Three zip codes in The Hamptons are listed in the top 10 most expensive zip codes in the United States.

Nobody really visits The Hamptons hoping to stick to a tight budget, but if you think outside the box you might be able to save a little money. Enjoy the free sights in the area, hang out on the beach, and eat a lot of pizza, if you're hoping to keep your costs in check.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.


Which place is cheaper, The Hamptons or San Juan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in The Hamptons is $223. 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 The Hamptons in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Juan $124
    The Hamptons $126
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Juan $248
    The Hamptons $252
Compare Hotels in San Juan and The Hamptons

Looking for a hotel in San Juan or The Hamptons? 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.

Hotels in San Juan


Hotels in The Hamptons


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Juan $14
    The Hamptons $63

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

Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or The Hamptons?

Prices for flights to both The Hamptons 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 day
    San Juan $36
    The Hamptons $60

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Juan $49
    The Hamptons $22
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.

  • 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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Juan $12
    The Hamptons $31

Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:

  • Pinones Pub crawl in Puerto Rico: $50


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan and The Hamptons, we can see that The Hamptons 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 The Hamptons 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 The Hamptons would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in The Hamptons 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 The Hamptons Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, San Juan or The Hamptons?

San Juan has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of The Hamptons. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and The Hamptons, 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 The Hamptons?

The Hamptons 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 The Hamptons in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to San Juan as well as The Hamptons. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to The Hamptons for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

San Juan is a little warmer than The Hamptons in the summer. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and The Hamptons fluctuates around 76°F (25°C).

It's quite rainy in The Hamptons. San Juan usually gets less rain in July than The Hamptons. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while The Hamptons receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    San Juan 28°C (83°F) 
    The Hamptons 76°F (25°C)

Should I visit San Juan or The Hamptons in the Autumn?

Both The Hamptons 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 autumn months attract visitors to The Hamptons because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, San Juan is much warmer than The Hamptons. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and The Hamptons averages at about 58°F (14°C).

It's quite rainy in San Juan. In October, San Juan usually receives more rain than The Hamptons. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while The Hamptons receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    San Juan 28°C (82°F) 
    The Hamptons 58°F (14°C)

Should I visit San Juan or The Hamptons in the Winter?

Both The Hamptons 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, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to The Hamptons this time of year.

It's quite cold in The Hamptons in the winter. In January, San Juan is generally much warmer than The Hamptons. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 25°C (77°F), and The Hamptons fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).

San Juan usually gets less rain in January than The Hamptons. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while The Hamptons receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    San Juan 25°C (77°F) 
    The Hamptons 31°F (-0°C)

Should I visit San Juan or The Hamptons in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and The Hamptons. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, many travelers come to The Hamptons for the beaches and the natural beauty.

San Juan is much warmer than The Hamptons in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and The Hamptons fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In April, San Juan usually receives less rain than The Hamptons. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while The Hamptons receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    San Juan 26°C (79°F) 
    The Hamptons 51°F (11°C)

Typical Weather for The Hamptons and San Juan

San Juan The Hamptons
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 31°F (-0°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 33°F (1°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 41°F (5°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 51°F (11°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 62°F (17°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 71°F (22°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 76°F (25°C) 4.1 inches (104 mm)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 75°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 68°F (20°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 58°F (14°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 47°F (9°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Dec 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 37°F (3°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)


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