Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and San Juan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tulum or San Juan?
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, 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 Tulum and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Tulum and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Tulum 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: Tulum Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $254
- Transfer from Tulum airport to Bacalar: $233
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $210
- Private Transfer From Cancun Airport - Tulum: $208
- Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Akumal, Tulum: $191
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $182
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
- One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $160
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Mendoza: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $25
- Private Transportation in Puerto Rico From or To San Juan Airport(SJU) Transfers: $33
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- 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
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- 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 Tulum or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Tulum 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 dayTulum $34San Juan $36
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
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
- Private Local Food Tour in San Juan: $275
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Private Tour - The best Cenotes in Yucatan - Suytun & Oxman: $195
- Romantic tour in Tulum: $169
- 4-Hour Cenotes Tour with Hotel Pickup in Riviera Maya: $109
- 5 Hours Mayan Snorkeling Experience in Tulum: $90
- 5x1 Deluxe Tour Tulum, Coba, Cenote Transportation from Tulum: $88
- 5x1: Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Mayan Village Full Day Tour: $99
- ATV Cenote and Zipline Adventure from Tulum: $119
- ATV Extreme Adventure Single with Ziplines and Cenote Swim: $137
- ATV Jungle Adventure with Ziplines, Cenote & Tulum Pickup: $75
- ATV Tour with Ziplines and Cenote Swim Experience in Quintana Roo: $59
- Adventure Tulum: $105
- Adventure in the Mayan Jungle with ATV and Zip Line in Tulum: $90
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.
- 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
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- Walking tour of Oaxaca City: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
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 Tulum and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North 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 Tulum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tulum 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 Tulum.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum 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 Tulum or San Juan?
Tulum 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 Tulum or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Tulum as well as San Juan. Many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Tulum is around the same temperature as San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, 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 Tulum this time of the year. In the summer, Tulum often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
Tulum receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tulum usually gets more rain in July than San Juan. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTulum 28°C (83°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Tulum or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tulum in the autumn for the hiking trails, 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.
In the autumn, Tulum is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Tulum gets 216 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. It's quite rainy in Tulum. In October, Tulum usually receives more rain than San Juan. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Tulum or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Tulum during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In January, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the winter, Tulum often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Tulum usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as San Juan. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTulum 23°C (74°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Tulum or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and San Juan. The spring months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches and the natural beauty. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Tulum is around the same temperature as San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, 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. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Tulum usually receives less rain than San Juan. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Tulum
| Tulum | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.