Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Shanghai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Shanghai or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Shanghai and San Juan. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Shanghai or San Juan?
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest and most modern city in China. With a population of over 23 million, it is the economic and financial hub of the country. It also continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in China with regular changes to the city's layout and skyline. It is not uncommon for buildings to be torn down, rebuilt and then torn down and rebuilt again. The city also has skyscrapers that rank among the tallest in the world. It has an ever changing downtown and street scape. In Shanghai, the general mantra remains "out with the old, in with the new".
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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
-
Shanghai Prices
China PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShanghai $139San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Shanghai is $139, 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 Shanghai and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShanghai $86San Juan $124
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShanghai $172San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Shanghai and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Shanghai 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: Shanghai Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shanghai $4.12San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
-
Taxi Ride$3.82
-
Two Subway Tickets$0.88
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- 1 Day-Pass for Disneyland Shanghai and Private Transfer Package: $245
- Shanghai to Xi’an Bullet Train Ticket with Local Hotel Private Transfers: $245
- Shanghai Pudong Int’l Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Yiwu City Area: $226
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) Departure Transfer (central Shanghai to Airport): $211
- Shanghai-Suzhou private day tour with private transfer and Lunch: $204
- Shanghai Legoland One Day Tour with Round Trip Transfer: $198
- Shanghai to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Hongqiao Station Transfer: $174
- Shanghai to Hangzhou Private Transfer with Stop at Wuzhen: $166
- Shanghai to Hangzhou Private Transfer with Stop at Xitang Water Town: $157
- Shanghai Pudong Airport To Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport one way private transfer: $155
- Shanghai Era Theatre Acrobatics Show with Hotel Transfer: $149
- Round-trip Transfer by High-Speed Maglev Train: Shanghai Pudong International Airport: $149
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Private Transfer-TO or FROM: SJUAirport,Cruise,Hotels Puerto Rico: $34
- Premium Transfer Service FROM or TO Rio Grande Puerto Rico: $50
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Port Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $58
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $58
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $58
- One-way transfer from SJU Airport to Cruise Port or Vice Versa: $65
- Transfer SJU Airport to Cruise Port / Vice Versa in Old S.J ONLY: $65
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Roundtrip-Transfer in Puerto Rico: From Airports, Hotels, Cruises: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Shanghai or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Shanghai 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 dayShanghai $39San Juan $62
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
-
Dumpling Breakfast$1.47
-
Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$21
-
Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.65
-
Cantelope$1.77
-
Dumplings and Soup$2.21
-
Duck Dinner$4.41
-
Pastries$3.09
-
Barbeque Dinner$9.41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- SMALL GROUP-City CenterAuthentic Local Food Tour-Tip Based: $3.49
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour with Chi Gua Va: $35
- Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple and Local Food Tour: $49
- Private Home Cooking Class with local Auntie: $61
- Huangpu River Evening Cruise Ticket with Dinner: $68
- Shanghai Food Tour and Alleyways to Skyline with 8 Local Eats: $71
- Shanghai Breakfast Omakase A Home Cook Food Tour: $71
- Authentic Local Food Tour Near the Bund: $71
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
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:
- Fly Dining 4 Course Sunset and City Light Dinner Over 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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shanghai $8.98San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
-
30 Minute River Cruise for Two$29
-
Zoo for Two$15
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- 1 Day Shanghai Airport Layover Private Tour for City Highlights: $202
- 1 Day Shanghai Highlight Small Group Tour: $198
- 1 Day Shanghai Private Tour: $180
- 1 Day Suzhou Private Tour (Departure from Shanghai): $240
- 1-Day Private Shanghai City Tour to See Its Past, Present and Future: $229
- 1-Day Private Tour to Shanghai Museum,Yu Garden, the Bund and Nanjing Road: $190
- 1-Day Private Tour to Shanghai Zhujiajiao Water Town,Nanjing Road and the Bund: $221
- 1-Day Private Tour to Suzhou from Shanghai: $272
- 1-Day Shanghai Tour to Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Yu Garden and Jade Buddha Temple: $224
- 13 day private tour : Splendid China+ important highlights: $4,106
- 1Day Suzhou & Zhouzhuang Water Town Tour From Shanghai Or Suzhou: $298
- 1h Chinese Ink Art Experience: Calligraphy & Painting in Shanghai: $52
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.
- The Ultimate Self-Guided Hidden Gems Tour in Puerto Rico: $5.00
- San Juan’s Historic Streets Audio Guided Walking Tour: $12
- Transportation in San Juan, Isla verde, Condado, Hotels, Cruises & Airbnb's SJU: $14
- San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
- Outdoor Salsa Class Experience in San Juan: $19
- Eco Friendly Farming Tour to Explore Dorado's Most Beautiful Farm: $20
- Old San Juan Tour (1 Hour) by DUHO: $25
- San Juan Ghost Tour: Shrieks in the Sugarcane: $26
- Old San Juan Tour in Spanish: $30
- San Juan Cruise Port: Puerto Rico Artisan Rum Tasting: $39
- San Juan Guided Turtle Snorkel Tour and Complimentary Videos: $40
- Legacy Tour at Casa BACARDÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayShanghai $7.83San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Shanghai Pub Crawl (Guided Bar Hopping) with Shots Included: $26
- Shanghai Bar Crawl Craft Beers and TCM Cocktails: $89
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
- Puerto Rico's First and Only Craft Beer Brewery Tour!: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Shanghai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shanghai is in Asia 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 Shanghai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shanghai 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 Shanghai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shanghai Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shanghai or San Juan?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai 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 Shanghai or San Juan?
Shanghai 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 Shanghai or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as San Juan. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In July, Shanghai is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 28°C (83°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shanghai this time of the year. In the summer, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shanghai usually gets more rain in July than San Juan. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyShanghai 28°C (83°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Shanghai is cooler than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In October, Shanghai usually receives less rain than San Juan. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberShanghai 19°C (65°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Shanghai during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Shanghai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Shanghai can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Shanghai is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shanghai in January average around 4°C (39°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Shanghai usually gets less rain in January than San Juan. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryShanghai 4°C (39°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and San Juan. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Shanghai is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 15°C (58°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Shanghai usually receives more rain than San Juan. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilShanghai 15°C (58°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Shanghai
| Shanghai | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.