Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Wilmington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Wilmington or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington 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: Wilmington or San Juan?
Wilmington
Wilmington is a port city in southeastern North Carolina. It's a great city to visit for it's nearby beaches, large historic district, and quaint atmosphere. The city has a population of about 115,000 and it's the eighth largest city in the state.
Wilmington is also home to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as well as the EUE Screen Gems Studios. This is the largest domestic television and movie production facility outside of California. The studio, which opened in 1984, helped grow Wilmington into a major base for film and television production. The city has been the backdrop for many movies and tv shows including Iron Man 3, Sleepy Hollow, One Tree Hill, and Revolution.
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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWilmington $204San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Wilmington is $204, 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 Wilmington and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWilmington $120San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWilmington $240San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Wilmington and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Wilmington 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: Wilmington Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Wilmington $47San Juan $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: $271
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $271
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
- 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
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Wilmington or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Wilmington 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 dayWilmington $56San 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Wilmington $17San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Wilmington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Wilmington.
- 2-Hour Tour de Wilmington E-Bike Tour: $50
- 2-Hour Tour de Wilmington E-Bike Tour: $55
- 2.5 Hr E-Bike tour of Wilmington's History, Haunts & one Haunted Pub: $65
- 4.5 Hour Wilmington River to Sea E-Bike Adventure Tour: $85
- 4.5-Hour Wilmington River to Sea E-Bike Adventure Tour: $85
- Black Water Adventure Cruise: $33
- Craft Beer and History Crawl Shared Experience in Wilmington: $30
- Eagles Island 50 minute Narrated Boat Cruise: $21
- Eco Kayak Tour in Wrightsville Beach: $75
- Half Day Carolina Beach E-Bike Tour: $75
- Half-Day E-Bike Tour of Wilmington's History, Haunts & Breweries: $85
- Half-Day E-Bike Tour of the Filming Locations in One Tree Hill: $85
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
- 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
- Cave Day Tour From San Juan: $109
- 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 dayWilmington $39San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Wilmington
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Wilmington:
- 2-Hour Wilmington E-Bike Bar Crawl: $55
- 2-Hour Wilmington E-Bike Bar Crawl: $55
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 comparing the travel costs between Wilmington and San Juan, we can see that Wilmington 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 Wilmington is in North America 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 Wilmington Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Wilmington or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Wilmington. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington 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 Wilmington or San Juan?
Wilmington 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 Wilmington or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Wilmington in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Wilmington is around the same temperature as San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, 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 Wilmington. Wilmington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during summer. Wilmington gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Wilmington. In July, Wilmington usually receives more rain than San Juan. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) 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 JulyWilmington 81°F (27°C)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Wilmington or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Wilmington during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Wilmington for the shopping scene during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In the autumn, Wilmington is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wilmington in October average around 65°F (18°C), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wilmington. In the autumn, Wilmington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Wilmington gets 227 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. Wilmington usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) 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 OctoberWilmington 65°F (18°C)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Wilmington or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and San Juan. The winter months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Wilmington is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 45°F (7°C), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Wilmington usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Wilmington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Wilmington usually receives more rain than San Juan. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) 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 JanuaryWilmington 45°F (7°C)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Wilmington or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as San Juan. The beaches are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Wilmington is much colder than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 63°F (17°C) in April, 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 Wilmington this time of the year. In the spring, Wilmington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Wilmington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
Wilmington usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as San Juan. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) 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 AprilWilmington 63°F (17°C)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Wilmington
| Wilmington | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 45°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 47°F (9°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 55°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 63°F (17°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 6 inches (152 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 8.1 inches (207 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 80°F (27°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 65°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 56°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 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.