Which place is cheaper, San Juan or San Pedro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit San Pedro or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Pedro or San Juan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: San Pedro or San Juan?
San Pedro
San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Belize, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize.
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San Pedro Prices
Belize PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Pedro $164San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro is $164, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $218. 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 Pedro and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Pedro $66San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Pedro $132San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in San Pedro and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in San Pedro or San Juan? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Pedro $34San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer San Juan from or to SJU Airport, Hotel, Cruises: $16
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU)- Departure Transfer: $30
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Premium Sedan, Select Zone: $59
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Port Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, Tesla 3 Luxury Sedan.: $63
- One-way transfer from SJU Airport to Cruise Port or Vice Versa: $65
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Private Transfer in San Juan: $75
- Private Transfer from San Juan Airport (SJU) to Ponce Cruise Port: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and San Pedro 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 Pedro $69San Juan $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Pedro.
- Overwater Fry Jacks Cooking Class at The Mayan: $39
- Overwater Ceviche Cooking Class at The Mayan: $39
- Belizean Bites Lunch Food Tour in San Pedro: $72
- Savor Belize Dinner Food Tour in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye: $90
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:
- FlyDining: 4 Course Sunset & City Light Dinner Over Old San Juan: $159
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Pedro $33San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in San Pedro
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Pedro are as follows:
- 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $59
- Ambergris Caye Food and History Tour: $75
- Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $85
- Belize Adventure Sailing Sunset: $65
- Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $113
- Belizean Food Experience: $89
- Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure From San Pedro: $210
- Caye Caulker Boat Tour Experience: $165
- Caye Caulker Fishing Adventure with Catch & Grill Lunch: $180
- Caye Caulker Marine Reserve 3 Stops Snorkeling Adventure: $65
- Caye Caulker Tiki Boat Sunset Cruise: $65
- Double Activity Limo Tour - Altun Ha Ruins & ATV Jungle Adventure: $270
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.
- The Ultimate Self-Guided Hidden Gems Tour in Puerto Rico: $5.00
- Transportation in San Juan, Isla verde, Condado, Hotels, Cruises & Airbnb's SJU: $14
- Outdoor Salsa Class Experience in San Juan: $19
- Discover Superb Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Old San Juan Tour in Spanish: $30
- Paddleboard Adventure: Explore Marine Life in Condado Lagoon: $32
- SJU Airport to San Juan Cruise Port or return: $33
- VIP Glow San Juan Salsa Night Experience at Luxury Condado Beach: $35
- San Juan Cruise Port: Puerto Rico Artisan Rum Tasting: $39
- Historic Old San Juan Sunset Walking Tour: $39
- San Juan Guided Turtle Snorkel Tour and Complimentary Videos: $45
- Legacy Tour at Casa BACARDÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Pedro $16San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Old San Juan Bar Crawl: Experience Local Hotspots: $65
- Puerto Rico Tobacco Farm and Local Brewery Tour: $109
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Pedro and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is San Pedro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Pedro is in Central America and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Pedro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Pedro 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 Pedro.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Pedro Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Pedro or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of San Pedro. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro and San Juan, 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 Pedro or San Juan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit San Pedro or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to San Pedro as well as San Juan. San Pedro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
San Pedro receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Pedro usually gets more rain in July than San Juan. San Pedro gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Pedro this time of the year. In the summer, San Pedro often gets less sunshine than San Juan. San Pedro gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
In July, San Pedro is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in San Pedro average around 28°C (82°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Pedro 28°C (82°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit San Pedro or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and San Pedro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Pedro throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. It's quite rainy in San Pedro. In October, San Pedro usually receives more rain than San Juan. San Pedro gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in San Juan. San Pedro usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. San Pedro gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Pedro is around the same temperature as San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Pedro averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Pedro 26°C (80°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit San Pedro or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and San Pedro during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Pedro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Pedro. San Pedro usually gets more rain in January than San Juan. San Pedro gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, San Pedro often gets less sunshine than San Juan. San Pedro gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
In the winter, San Pedro is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Pedro in January average around 24°C (74°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Pedro 24°C (74°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit San Pedro or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Pedro and San Juan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Pedro year-round. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, San Pedro usually receives less rain than San Juan. San Pedro gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In San Pedro, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Pedro usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during spring. San Pedro gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, San Pedro is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in San Pedro average around 27°C (80°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Pedro 27°C (80°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and San Pedro
| San Pedro | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
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.