Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Wellington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Wellington or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Wellington 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: Wellington or San Juan?
Wellington
Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWellington $104San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Wellington is $104, 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 Wellington and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWellington $61San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWellington $122San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Wellington and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Wellington 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: Wellington Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Wellington $12San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer: $78
- Wellington Airport Transfer to Wellington Hotels and Vice versa: $75
- Private Transfer with Wellington Dial a Driver: $72
- Wētā Workshop Experience with Guided Transfers: $61
- Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $26
- Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
- Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
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: $272
- 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: $272
- 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 Wellington or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Wellington 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 dayWellington $30San Juan $36
Typical Food Prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$9.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Food Tour Of Wellington: $151
- A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $185
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.Wellington $16San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 5 hour Wellington City Heights Shared tour: $90
- A Taste of Kapiti - Kapiti Foodie Delights Tour: $288
- From Cave to Coast Wellington Highlights Tour: $118
- From Source to Sea Remutaka Mountain Bike Cycle Tour: $103
- From Half-Day Foodie Tour of the Wairarapa: $106
- From Taste Buds Tour of Petone: $167
- Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour: $178
- Full Day Tour of Wellington: $178
- Full-Day Wellington Self-Guided Electric Bike Tour: $51
- Fully customizable tours: $148
- Guided Small Group Walking Tour in Wellington: $45
- Guided Wellington Sightseeing Tour by Electric Bike: $78
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
- Arenales Caves, Waterfall & River Swimming Adventure: $140
- 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
- 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 dayWellington $12San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour: $93
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $96
- 5 hour Martinborough shared Chefs Wine Tour with Gourmet lunch: $151
- Martinborough Full Day Wine Tour: $169
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $361
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 Wellington and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wellington is in Pacific 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 Wellington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wellington 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 Wellington.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Wellington Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Wellington or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Wellington 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 Wellington or San Juan?
Wellington 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 Wellington or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and San Juan. The summer months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Wellington is generally much colder than San Juanin July. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 18°C (64°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Wellington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Wellington usually receives less rain than San Juanin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 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 January and JulyWellington 18°C (64°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Wellington or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Wellington as well as San Juan. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wellington this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Wellington is much colder than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the autumn, Wellington often gets less sunshine than San Juanin October. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. Wellington usually gets less rain in April than San Juanin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 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 April and OctoberWellington 15°C (58°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Wellington or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Wellington is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wellington in July average around 10°C (49°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Wellington. In July, Wellington usually receives more rain than San Juanin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 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 July and JanuaryWellington 10°C (49°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Wellington or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Wellington during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Wellington in the spring for the beaches. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In October, Wellington is generally much colder than San Juanin April. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 13°C (55°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Wellington often gets less sunshine than San Juanin April. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
Wellington usually gets more rain in October than San Juanin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 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 October and AprilWellington 13°C (55°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Wellington
| Wellington | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.