Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Tampa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tampa or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tampa or San Juan? 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: Tampa or San Juan?
Tampa
On the north shore of Tampa Bay, across the water from Saint Peterburg, is the city of Tampa. The city has a population of almost 350,000. The metropolitan area includes Tampa, St. Peterburg, and Clearwater. It has about 2.9 million residents and is the second largest metropolitan area in the state. The city is a popular destination for outdoor activities and in 2008 it was ranked the 5th best outdoor city by Forbes.
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 Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTampa $179San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Tampa is $179, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $192. 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 Tampa and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTampa $85San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTampa $170San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Tampa and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Tampa 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: Tampa Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tampa $69San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampa
Also for Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tampa Bay Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Tampa hotels: $302
- Tampa Airport (TPA): Transfer tо Tampa Bay Cruise Port: $302
- Tampa Airport (TPA): Private Transfer to Tampa hotel/address: $203
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach: $187
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport TPA to Lakeland/Winter Haven: $187
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport (TPA) to St Petersburg Accommodation: $187
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address : $187
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $175
- Private transfer from Tampa airport To Zephyrhills, FL: $155
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Clearwater: $120
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Lakeland / Winter Haven - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa Bay Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $100
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $271
- San Juan One-way Transfer: $30
- San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel : $50
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $271
- 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
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Tampa or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Tampa 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 dayTampa $53San Juan $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tampa
For Tampa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class near Disney in Tampa Florida: $88
- Ybor City Food Tour On Sundays: $89
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.Tampa $20San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Tampa
For Tampa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tampa Terrors Ghost Tour By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- 1.5-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise from Tampa: $31
- 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour: $69
- Adventure Island Water Park Ticket: $50
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Admission Ticket: $108
- Downtown Tampa Historic Walking Tour: $30
- Escape to Paradise: Private Island Boat Adventure in Tampa: $630
- Ghost Hunters Paranormal Ghost Tour: $39
- Ghost Investigation Tour Interactive Paranormal Experience 18Plus: $35
- Guided Tampa Sightseeing Tour in 2023 Street Legal Golf Cart: $41
- Guided Tampa Sightseeing Tour in a Deluxe Street Legal Golf Cart: $49
- Haunted Tampa Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour - Ybor City: $35
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTampa $26San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Tampa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tampa:
- Tampa Bar Crawl on a 2023 Street Legal Golf Cart: $40
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
- Ybor City Private Brewery Tour by Custom Golf Cart: $200
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 comparing the travel costs between Tampa and San Juan, we can see that San Juan 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 Tampa is in North America and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Tampa Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tampa or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Tampa. When comparing the sizes of Tampa 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 Tampa or San Juan?
Tampa 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 Tampa or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and San Juan. The summer months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Tampa is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tampa in July average around 82°F (28°C), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
Tampa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tampa usually receives more rain than San Juan. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTampa 82°F (28°C)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Tampa or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Tampa as well as San Juan. The city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In October, Tampa is generally cooler than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 75°F (24°C), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the autumn, Tampa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. Tampa usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTampa 75°F (24°C)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Tampa or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tampa for the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Tampa is much colder than San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Tampa usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTampa 60°F (15°C)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Tampa or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Tampa during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tampa in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In the spring, Tampa is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tampa in April average around 71°F (22°C), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the spring, Tampa often gets more sunshine than San Juan. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
Tampa usually gets less rain in April than San Juan. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTampa 71°F (22°C)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Tampa
| Tampa | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 60°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 71°F (22°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 77°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 75°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 68°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 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.