Which place is cheaper, Virginia Beach or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Juan or Virginia Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Virginia Beach? 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 Virginia Beach?
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.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. It's a popular beach destination and has many of the characteristics of most southeastern beach towns. There are many activities that you can enjoy and there's a concrete boardwalk that runs parallel to the water for about three miles. The boardwalk is a fun place to walk or bicycle. The beach itself is wide and sandy and is a great place to soak up some sun. During the summer months and school holidays it can get quite crowded and you might struggle to find a place for your towel and beach chairs. There are also many beach side resorts that line the water front. Most have pools and hot tubs where you can relax and some hotels have indoor pools as well, which can be nice during the cool winter months.
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 $192Virginia Beach $126
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in Virginia Beach is $126. 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 Virginia Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Virginia Beach $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Virginia Beach $142
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Virginia Beach
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Virginia Beach? 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 Virginia Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Virginia Beach $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $271
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $271
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Virginia Beach
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:
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Beach Parking$10
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Virginia Beach?
Prices for flights to both Virginia Beach 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 $36Virginia Beach $30
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Virginia Beach $21
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 Virginia Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Virginia Beach.
- Dolphin Kayak Tour in Virginia Beach Must know how to swim: $87
- Kayak Dolphin Experience in Virginia Beach Must know how to swim: $90
- Neptune Ghosts: Ghosts of the Coast By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour: $68
- Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours: $68
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Virginia Beach by Wacky Walks: $10
- Dolphin Stand-Up Paddleboard Tour: $60
- Kayak Dolphin Tours | Must Know How to Swim: $78
- Morning Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tour: $45
- Neptune Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour: $26
- Sunset Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tour: $45
- Virginia Historic Adventure!: $200
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Virginia Beach $11
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 Virginia Beach, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach.
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 Virginia Beach Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?
Both Virginia Beach and San Juan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, San Juan is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Juan in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Virginia Beach averages at about 79°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. In July, San Juan usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Virginia Beach 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?
Both Virginia Beach and San Juan during the autumn 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, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, San Juan is generally much warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (82°F), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).
In Virginia Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the autumn, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Virginia Beach. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Virginia Beach. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Virginia Beach 62°F (16°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Virginia Beach in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Virginia Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the cuisine.
The weather in Virginia Beach can be very cold. San Juan is much warmer than Virginia Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Virginia Beach 39°F (4°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Virginia Beach in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Virginia Beach. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.
In the spring, San Juan is much warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Juan in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Virginia Beach averages at about 58°F (14°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the spring, San Juan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Virginia Beach. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Virginia Beach 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and San Juan
| San Juan | Virginia Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 49°F (10°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 5.7 inches (145 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 5.9 inches (150 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (79 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.