Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Veracruz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Veracruz or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Veracruz and San Juan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Veracruz or San Juan?
Veracruz
Veracruz is the name of both a state and city in the country of Mexico. Locals often call the city "Puerto" (port) in order to differentiate the city from the state. The general area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses ruins, old colonial cities, lush green mountains, and delicious seafood.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVeracruz $122San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Veracruz 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 Veracruz and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVeracruz $54San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVeracruz $108San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Veracruz and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Veracruz 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: Veracruz Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Veracruz $28San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Veracruz
Also for Veracruz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Veracruz Airport to Hotel in Veracruz Port: $32
- Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $28
- Airport Transfer: $25
- Shared Arrival Transfer: General Heriberto Jara International Airport to Veracruz Hotels: $23
- Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Arrival Private Transfer: $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $270
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $270
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Oneway Transfer from San Juan (SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Ponce: $125
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Veracruz or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Veracruz 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 dayVeracruz $50San Juan $36
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.Veracruz $15San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Veracruz
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Veracruz.
- 1 day tour of Tlacotalpan and Alvarado from Veracruz: $102
- 3-hour tour to the San Juan de Ulúa Fortress: $25
- Adventure through the Chachalacas Beach and Dunes from Veracruz: $123
- Alvarado And Tlacotalpan Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $112
- Antigua and Zempoala Tour from Veracruz: $86
- Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark: Veracruz - Ticket: $27
- Catemaco And Los Tuxtlas Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $112
- City Tour en Veracruz y Acuario: $100
- Coffee Route, an adventure of aroma and flavor to Veracruz: $150
- From Veracruz or Boca del río: Coffee Tour in Coatepec: $96
- From Alvarado, Tlacotalpan and Agustín Lara Tour: $100
- From Catemaco, Nature, Waterfalls & Monkeys Tour: $100
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.
- Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan: $65
- 1 or 2 Hour Puerto Rico Horseback Ride Experience!: $210
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
- Carolina: ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch with Guide: $136
- Cave Day Tour From San Juan: $109
- Cruise Ship Travelers: Hike to a Hidden Puerto Rican Waterfall: $85
- Culebra Beach Day Tour with Snorkeling from San Juan by Ferry: $200
- Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo: $175
- Discover El Yunque: Half-Day Rainforest Tour: $115
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- El Yunque National RainForest: Tour with Nature walk: $75
- El Yunque Rainforest Guided Day Tour from San Juan: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVeracruz $17San Juan $12
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 Veracruz and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Veracruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Veracruz 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 Veracruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Veracruz 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 Veracruz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Veracruz Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Veracruz or San Juan?
Veracruz has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Veracruz 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 Veracruz or San Juan?
Veracruz 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 Veracruz or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Veracruz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Veracruz is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Veracruz average around 27°C (81°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Veracruz. Veracruz usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Veracruz gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Veracruz. In July, Veracruz usually receives more rain than San Juan. Veracruz gets 410 mm (16.1 in) 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 JulyVeracruz 27°C (81°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Veracruz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Veracruz is around the same temperature as San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Veracruz averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Veracruz often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Veracruz gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Veracruz. Veracruz usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as San Juan. Veracruz gets 131 mm (5.2 in) 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 OctoberVeracruz 26°C (79°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Veracruz and San Juan. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Veracruz is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Veracruz in January average around 21°C (71°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Veracruz usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Veracruz gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Veracruz usually receives less rain than San Juan. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) 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 JanuaryVeracruz 21°C (71°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Veracruz as well as San Juan. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In April, Veracruz is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Veracruz average around 26°C (78°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Veracruz this time of the year. In the spring, Veracruz often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Veracruz gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
Veracruz usually gets less rain in April than San Juan. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) 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 AprilVeracruz 26°C (78°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Veracruz
| Veracruz | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (71°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (71°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (74°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 410 mm (16.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 346 mm (13.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (76°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 27 mm (1.1 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.