Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Zagreb?
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 Zagreb or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zagreb and San Juan. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Zagreb or San Juan?
Zagreb
Zagreb, in central Croatia, is the country's capital. It has a wonderful old town that has cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a great atmosphere. Many people travel to Croatia specifically for its beaches and coastal towns, but if you overlook this lovely capital city, you'll miss a large part of the culture and personality that is Croatia.
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 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.
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Zagreb Prices
Croatia PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZagreb $105San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Zagreb is $105, 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 Zagreb and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZagreb $57San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZagreb $114San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Zagreb and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Zagreb 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: Zagreb Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zagreb $11San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagreb
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:
- Private Split to Zagreb transfer with Plitvice lakes & Wine: $1,006
- Private Transfer Zagreb-Split: $856
- Private Transfer from Split or Trogir to Zagreb: $819
- Private Transfer from Split to Zagreb with stop at Plitvice: $761
- Sarajevo to One-Way Transfer With Plitvice Lakes: $468
- Zagreb to Split: Personalized Transfer & Custom Day Trip!: $427
- Budapest: Private transfer to Zagreb or Zagreb to Budapest: $423
- From Sarajevo: 1-Way Transfer to Zagreb or opposite: $410
- Bratislava: Private transfer to Zagreb or Zagreb to BTS: $332
- Private Transfer Zagreb-Plitvice Lakes: $300
- Krka National Park Private Tour from Zagreb with transfer to Sibenik: $296
- Private Transfer from Zagreb to Budapest with 2 hours for sightseeing: $286
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer to Cruise Ships, Hotels, Airbnb in San Juan: $76
- Arrival Private Transfer SJU Airport to Old San Juan by Sedan: $120
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $200
- Departure Transfer from Old San Juan to to SJU Airport by Car: $86
- Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $289
- Premium Transfer in Airport, Hotel, Airbnb, Cruise: $25
- Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Private Transfer Puerto Rico:To or From Airports, Hotels &Cruises: $33
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to Cruise Port Roundtrip Servic: $109
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $115
- Private Transfer from or to San Juan and Ceiba Ferry: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Zagreb or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Zagreb 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 dayZagreb $34San Juan $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagreb
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagreb.
- Food Tour with Tastings: $104
- Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $106
- Bite Back in Time: Zagreb's Food Tour Spiced with History : $131
- Zagreb Food Tour: Bite into Traditional Dishes and Flavors: $140
- Croatian cuisine cooking class with Dolac market tour: $155
- Zagreb Walking Food Tour - Sightseeing - Dolac market visit: $161
- Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $184
- PRIVATE Half-Day Food Tour: The 10 Tastings of Zagreb With Locals: $201
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:
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $165
- FlyDining: Sunset & City Lights Dinner Over Old San Juan: $165
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Cooking and Connecting with a Local in Puerto Rico: $173
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zagreb $14San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Zagreb
Here are a few actual costs in Zagreb for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 4 Day Private Istria Tour from Explore & Enjoy: $1,662
- Archaeological Tour of Zagreb: $52
- Back to Socialism Bike Tour: $49
- Baroque Varaždin and Trakošćan Castle Private Tour: $215
- Beautiful Christmas in Zagreb – Private Walking Tour: $1,251
- Best Of Zagreb Walking Tour: $65
- Best of SLOVENIA - Bled + Postojna + Ljubljana - Day Tour from Zagreb: $237
- Best of Zagreb Walking Tour: $84
- Best of Zagreb! Self-guided Waking tour Sit&Meet Croatian greats!: $23
- Best of Zagreb! Walking Tour by Sit & Meet; Meet the Great Croats: $36
- Best of 4-Hour Cycling Tour: $94
- Big Zagreb Private Walking Tour: $117
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.
- Transportation in San Juan, Isla verde, Condado, Hotels, Cruises & Airbnb's SJU: $14
- San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Eco Friendly Farming Tour to Explore Dorado's Most Beautiful Farm: $20
- Discover Superb Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $23
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Local Certified Guide: $25
- San Juan Ghost Tour: Shrieks in the Sugarcane: $32
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Historic Old San Juan Sunset Walking Tour: $39
- Top Rated El Yunque Rainforest & Waterslide – VIP SmallGroup Tour: $45
- Ron del Barrilito Heritage Skip-the-Line Tour: $46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZagreb $10San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Zagreb
Also in Zagreb, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl, 1-Hour of Unlimited Drinks, & Club Entry: $34
- Zagreb Pub Crawl 1Hour of Unlimited Drinks Club Entry: $35
- Zagreb:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $35
- Taste Zagreb Heritage Wine Tasting with Traditional Lunch: $106
- Hrastje Plešivičko Wine Tasting Day Trip: $176
- From Samobor Highlights & Wine Tasting in Plešivica: $183
- Castle & Wine Tasting - Private Day Trip from Zagreb: $274
- Private Wine Tour from Two Local Wineries & Samobor : $285
- Fairytale Castle & Wine Tasting & Lunch: $286
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
- The Pinones Pub crawl Bar crawl : $70
- Local Puerto Rican Rum Distillery Tour - Ron Pepon: $90
- Puerto Rico's First and Only Craft Beer Brewery Tour! : $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zagreb and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Zagreb much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zagreb 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 Zagreb would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zagreb 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 Zagreb.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zagreb Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zagreb or San Juan?
Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 67% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Zagreb 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 Zagreb or San Juan?
Zagreb 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 Zagreb or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Zagreb during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In July, Zagreb is generally cooler than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Zagreb average around 22°C (72°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 Zagreb. In the summer, Zagreb often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Zagreb gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
Zagreb usually gets less rain in July than San Juan. Zagreb gets 87 mm (3.4 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 JulyZagreb 22°C (72°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zagreb and San Juan. Many travelers come to Zagreb for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Zagreb is much colder than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zagreb averages around 13°C (55°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. Zagreb usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Zagreb gets 133 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, Zagreb usually receives less rain than San Juan. Zagreb gets 70 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 OctoberZagreb 13°C (55°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zagreb as well as San Juan. Many visitors come to Zagreb in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Zagreb can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Zagreb is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zagreb in January average around 1°C (35°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, Zagreb often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Zagreb gets 54 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Zagreb usually gets less rain in January than San Juan. Zagreb gets 53 mm (2.1 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 JanuaryZagreb 1°C (35°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Zagreb are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Zagreb for the activities around the city during these months. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Zagreb is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Zagreb average around 13°C (55°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Zagreb usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Zagreb gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Zagreb usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan. Zagreb gets 65 mm (2.6 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 AprilZagreb 13°C (55°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Zagreb
| Zagreb | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 1°C (35°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (71°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.