Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Utrecht?
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 Utrecht or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Utrecht 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: Utrecht or San Juan?
Utrecht
Utrecht is both a province and a city in the Netherlands. The city is a unique university city with a lively atmosphere. Imagine Amsterdam but smaller, and with fewer tourists. Utrecht has the same underlying historical/magical feel as Amsterdam, but is full of locals rather than crowds of tourists. It has a population of about 300,000 making it the fourth largest city in the Netherlands.
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 Netherlands, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Netherlands.
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Utrecht Prices
Netherlands PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUtrecht $246San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Utrecht is $246, 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 Utrecht and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUtrecht $113San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUtrecht $226San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Utrecht and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Utrecht 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: Utrecht Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Utrecht $26San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Utrecht
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Utrecht:
- Private transfer from Utrecht to AMS Schiphol Airport: $126
- Private taxi transfer from Utrecht to Amsterdam: $107
- Train Transfer Utrecht from/to Den Haag: $20
- Train Transfer Utrecht from/to Rotterdam: $18
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: $20
- SJU Airport Transfers (Isla Verde, Condado, Old San Juan): $23
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Arrival Private Transfer: $29
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU)- Departure Transfer: $29
- Premium Transfer Service from or to Río Grande Puerto Rico: $50
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, Tesla 3 Luxury Sedan.: $56
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Port Arrival Private Transfer: $57
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfers, VW Buzz Luxury Minivan.: $61
- Private Transfer Airport SJU to Old San Juan Vice versa One way: $65
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Roundtrip-Transfer in Puerto Rico: From Airports, Hotels, Cruises: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Utrecht or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Utrecht 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 dayUtrecht $105San Juan $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Utrecht
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Utrecht.
- Guided Food Tour: $80
- Food Tour by Bike: enjoy 6 bites and cycle trough Utrecht: $81
- Utrecht Food Tour: 7 food stops and a fantastic local guide: $81
- Utrecht Walking Food Tour with 7 Gourmet Dishes & Local Guide: $91
- Utrecht Bike & Bite: The Ultimate Local Food Tour with Guide: $103
- 10 Tastes of Food Tour with Full Lunch and 2 Drinks: $180
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 Food Tour with 7 Tastings of Authentic Local Flavors: $140
- FlyDining 4-Course Dinner in Old Sunset or City Lights: $165
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Utrecht $49San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Utrecht
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Utrecht are as follows:
- Castles, Canals and Good Folk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Utrecht: $12
- Cozy Cafés and Canal Views: An Audio Tour of Utrecht: $9.99
- Cultural and Historical Audio Guided Walking Tour of Utrecht: $15
- Discover Utrecht with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour: $32
- Discover Utrecht’s Zocherpark in this Outside Escape game tour!: $32
- Discover the Dutch Countryside: Car Tour with Local Expert: $76
- Escape Tours® Utrecht - Self-guided citygame. Find the exit!: $34
- Escape the City Game and City Walking Tour of Utrecht: $34
- Explore Gems of Utrecht Walking Tour for Couples: $371
- Free Walking Tour Utrecht Discover the city in German: $3.44
- Historical Private Tour with Local Guide: $285
- Historical Private Tour with Local Guide: $348
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
- 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: $14
- Outdoor Salsa Class Experience in San Juan: $19
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Local Certified Guide: $25
- San Juan Ghost Tour: Shrieks in the Sugarcane: $26
- Old San Juan Tour in Spanish: $30
- VIP San Juan Salsa Night Experience at Luxury Condado Beach: $35
- Puerto Rican Cultural Experience & Infused Rum Tasting: $39
- San Juan Guided Turtle Snorkel Tour and Complimentary Videos: $39
- SJU Airport to San Juan Cruise Port or return: $43
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUtrecht $26San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Utrecht
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Utrecht:
- Ultimate Leo’s Pub Crawl with Local Host & Shots: $36
- Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $47
- Ludwig's Private Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $576
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 comparing the travel costs between Utrecht and San Juan, we can see that Utrecht 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 Utrecht is in Europe 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 Utrecht Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Utrecht or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Utrecht. When comparing the sizes of Utrecht 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 Utrecht or San Juan?
Utrecht 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 Utrecht or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Utrecht as well as San Juan. The summer months attract visitors to Utrecht because of the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Utrecht is much colder than San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Utrecht averages around 17°C (62°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. In the summer, Utrecht often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Utrecht gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
Utrecht usually gets less rain in July than San Juan. Utrecht gets 75 mm (3 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 JulyUtrecht 17°C (62°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Utrecht or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Utrecht are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Utrecht this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Utrecht is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Utrecht in October average around 11°C (51°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Utrecht usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Utrecht gets 100 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, Utrecht usually receives less rain than San Juan. Utrecht gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberUtrecht 11°C (51°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Utrecht or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Utrecht during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Utrecht for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Utrecht. In January, Utrecht is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Utrecht average around 2°C (36°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Utrecht often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Utrecht gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Utrecht usually gets more rain in January than San Juan. Utrecht gets 66 mm (2.6 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 JanuaryUtrecht 2°C (36°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Utrecht or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Utrecht and San Juan. Many visitors come to Utrecht in the spring for the natural beauty. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Utrecht is much colder than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Utrecht averages around 8°C (46°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. Utrecht usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Utrecht gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Utrecht usually receives less rain than San Juan. Utrecht gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilUtrecht 8°C (46°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Utrecht
| Utrecht | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 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.