Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Valencia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Valencia or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Valencia 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: Valencia or San Juan?
Valencia
Valencia is a port city that sits on Spain's southeastern Orange Blossom coast, where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea. As the nation's third-largest city, it is continually innovative in the arts and sciences with some futuristic architecture including a planetarium, oceanarium, and an interactive museum. The nightlife and daytime culture both thrive in their own ways, bustling with limitless opportunities for sight-seeing and entertainment. While the city is surrounded by fertile farmland, its center is a modern metropolis, skirted by beautiful beaches.
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 G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayValencia $132San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Valencia is $132, 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 Valencia and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personValencia $62San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomValencia $124San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Valencia and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Valencia 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: Valencia Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Valencia $19San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valencia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valencia:
- Valencia Airport (VLC): Transfer to Valencia Cruise Port: $240
- Private transfer from Valencia Airport to Alicante: $202
- Departure Private Transfer Montserrat to Barcelona Airport or City by Luxury Van: $176
- Valencia Airport (VLC): Private Transfer to Valencia: $121
- Valencia Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Valencia hotels: $121
- From Morella and Peñíscola Day Trip with Transfers: $118
- Private Transfer Valencia Airport to Hotel: $109
- Valencia City, Airport, Cruise Terminal Private Transfer: $88
- Private Transfer: Valencia to Valencia Airport VLC in Luxury Van: $86
- Valencia Airport (VLC) Departure Transfer (Valencia Hotels to Valencia Airport): $83
- Valencia Airport (VLC) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Valencia Hotel or Address): $83
- Private Transfer: Valencia to VLC Airport in Business Car: $77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Valencia or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Valencia 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 dayValencia $43San Juan $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valencia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valencia.
- Flamenco at Toro y La Luna with Drinks or Dinner: $19
- Hard Rock Cafe Entrance with Lunch or Dinner: $32
- Traditional Spanish Home Dinner: $48
- Valencia Traditional Food Tour: $51
- Guided Food Tour with Chocolate Tasting Experience: $54
- Street Food Tour including Paella & Tapas Tasting: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience near the center of Valencia: $59
- Morning Food Tour with Central Market Visit: $64
- Cooking Class of traditional spanish food: $65
- Vegetable Paella cooking class, tapas and visit market: $66
- Valencian Paella cooking class, Tapas and Market Visit: $66
- Flamenco Show with Dinner at La Bulería: $70
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.Valencia $31San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Valencia
Here are a few typical costs in Valencia for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Flamenco Tour$17
Tours and Activities in Valencia
Here are a few actual costs in Valencia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hour Private Bike Tour in Valencia: $27
- 3 Hours Valencia City Bike Tour with a Tasty Surprise: $35
- 3hs-Hour Guided City Sightseeing and Beaches Bike Private Tour: $38
- A day tour in Montanejos hot springs.: $97
- Adventure Jetski: $156
- Adventures day: Thermal Springs and Waterfalls: $104
- Albufera Natural Park Tour with Boat Ride from Valencia : $64
- Alicante: 8-hour cruise to Tabarca Island by private boat: $1,076
- Anna: amazing water canyoning experience: $96
- Authentic Tapas Tour Through Valencia City Center: $74
- Between Two Gates: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Valencia: $7.99
- Bike Grand Valencia Group Tour: $38
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
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- Ron del Barrilito Skip-the-Line Heritage Tour Ticket: $46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayValencia $21San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Valencia
Also in Valencia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Guided Pub Crawl with Free Shots: $13
- Pub Crawl Tour in the Old town of Valencia: $17
- Pub Crawl With Free Shots: $25
- Wine Tasting with Professional Sommelier in centre Valencia: $59
- From Guided Cheese Factory Tour with Wine Tasting: $91
- Local Tapas & Wine tasting experience: $91
- Wine Tasting and Tapas Experience: $102
- Cheese Factory Workshop with Wine Tasting in Requena, Valencia: $108
- From Requena Wine Tour with Tastings: $124
- Small Group - Half-Day Wine Tour: $126
- Two wineries tour with wine tasting : $131
- Christmas Tapas and Wine Tour in Valencia: $164
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 Valencia and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Valencia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Valencia is in Europe 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 Valencia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valencia 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 Valencia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Valencia Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Valencia or San Juan?
Valencia has a larger population, and is about 93% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Valencia 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 Valencia or San Juan?
Valencia 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 Valencia or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Valencia during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Valencia in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In July, Valencia is generally cooler than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Valencia average around 25°C (76°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Valencia. In the summer, Valencia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Valencia gets 303 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
Valencia usually gets less rain in July than San Juan. Valencia gets 9 mm (0.4 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 JulyValencia 25°C (76°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Valencia or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Valencia and San Juan. Most visitors come to Valencia for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Valencia is cooler than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Valencia averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Valencia usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Valencia gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Valencia usually receives less rain than San Juan. Valencia gets 94 mm (3.7 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 OctoberValencia 19°C (66°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Valencia or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Valencia as well as San Juan. The winter months attract visitors to Valencia because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In the winter, Valencia is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Valencia in January average around 12°C (53°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the winter, Valencia often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Valencia gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Valencia usually gets less rain in January than San Juan. Valencia gets 32 mm (1.3 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 JanuaryValencia 12°C (53°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Valencia or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Valencia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Valencia this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Valencia is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Valencia average around 15°C (60°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valencia. Valencia usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Valencia gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Valencia usually receives less rain than San Juan. Valencia gets 40 mm (1.6 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 AprilValencia 15°C (60°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Valencia
| Valencia | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (76°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 45 mm (1.8 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.