Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Zagreb?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZagreb $82San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Zagreb is $82, 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 Zagreb and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZagreb $51San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZagreb $102San 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 $9.69San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagreb
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:
- private transfer from Trogir/Split to Zagreb via Plitvice: $1,765
- Private transfer from Zagreb to Vienna: $936
- Private transfer from Zagreb to Budapest: $936
- Private Transfer from Split or Trogir to Zagreb: $807
- Split to Zagreb via Plitvice lake, private transfer: $766
- Transfer Zagreb - Split or Split - Zagreb: $765
- Private Transfer Zagreb-Split: $762
- Private Transfer from Split to Zagreb via Plitvice & Rastoke: $646
- Private Transfer Tour from Zagreb - Split via Plitvice Lakes: $607
- Private transfer from Zagreb to Split or Split to Zagreb: $570
- Private Transfer from Split to Zagreb with stop at Plitvice: $560
- Zagreb to Budapest Private Transfer by Minivan: $537
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 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 $18San Juan $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagreb
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagreb.
- Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $74
- Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $75
- Private Authentic Croatian Cooking Class in Central Zagreb: $114
- Zagreb Walking Food Tour - Sightseeing - Dolac market visit: $137
- Private Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $144
- PRIVATE Half-Day Food Tour: The 10 Tastings of Zagreb With Locals: $196
- Wine & Food tour of Plešivica near Zagreb: $958
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.Zagreb $13San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Zagreb
Here are a few actual costs in Zagreb for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private eclectic experience of Rastoke and Plitvice Lakes National Park: $164
- Zagreb History Walking Tour: $32
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Zagreb City with Guide (up to 10): $153
- 2-Hour Unveiling A Captivating History Tour: $108
- 4 Day Touristic Adventure from Zagreb: $2,465
- 4-hour Private Zagreb & the Mountain Tour in a Yugo car: $115
- All-Inclusive Day Tour Zagreb-Rastoke-Plitvice Lakes-Split: $968
- Back to Yugoslavia Private City Tour in Old-Timer Yugo Car: $93
- Baroque Varaždin and Trakošćan Castle Private Tour: $177
- Beautiful Christmas in Zagreb - Walking Tour: $435
- Best of ISTRIA: Amphitheater PULA + ROVINJ + HUM or POREČ - fully Private Tour: $263
- Best of Zagreb Walking Tour: $73
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 dayZagreb $9.49San 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:
- Zagreb Pub Crawl: $16
- Zagreb:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $32
- Zagreb Wine Tasting & Jarun Lake Tour: $75
- Private Zagreb Walking Tour and Wine Tasting From Zagreb: $103
- Taste Zagreb Heritage Wine Tasting with Traditional Lunch: $179
- Plesivica countryside Wine Tasting: $199
- Fairytale castle & delicious wine tasting and lunch: $202
- Private Wine Tasting Tour from Zagreb: $208
- Castles & Wine Tasting - Private Day Trip from Zagreb: $235
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 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.