A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cincinnati vs. San Juan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cincinnati or San Juan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Cincinnati 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: Cincinnati or San Juan?

Cincinnati

Located on the north banks of the Ohio River, Cincinnati is the third largest city in Ohio having grown from its industrial heritage. It is situated in the southwest part of the state, separated from the Kentucky border by the river. The city is best known for its striking skyline and unique chili.

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 Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Cincinnati?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cincinnati is $223, 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 Cincinnati and San Juan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cincinnati $102
    San Juan $124
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cincinnati $204
    San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Cincinnati and San Juan

Looking for a hotel in Cincinnati 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.

Hotels in Cincinnati


Hotels in San Juan


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: Cincinnati Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cincinnati $25
    San Juan $14

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 Cincinnati or San Juan?

Prices for flights to both San Juan and Cincinnati 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cincinnati $95
    San Juan $62

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cincinnati $26
    San Juan $49

Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan

For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Horseback Riding Tour
    $40
  • Full Day Snorkeling Trip
    $100
  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cincinnati $11
    San Juan $12

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 comparing the travel costs between Cincinnati and San Juan, we can see that Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cincinnati or San Juan?

San Juan has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Cincinnati. When comparing the sizes of Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati or San Juan?

Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati or San Juan in the Summer?

Both San Juan and Cincinnati during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Cincinnati because of the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.

In July, Cincinnati is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Cincinnati average around 79°F (26°C), 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 Cincinnati. In the summer, Cincinnati often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Cincinnati gets 298 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.

Cincinnati usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as San Juan. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cincinnati 79°F (26°C) 
    San Juan 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Cincinnati or San Juan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cincinnati and San Juan. The shopping scene are the main draw to Cincinnati this time of year. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Cincinnati is much colder than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cincinnati averages around 58°F (15°C) 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. Cincinnati usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Cincinnati gets 188 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, Cincinnati usually receives less rain than San Juan. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cincinnati 58°F (15°C) 
    San Juan 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Cincinnati or San Juan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cincinnati as well as San Juan. Many travelers come to Cincinnati for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Cincinnati. In the winter, Cincinnati is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cincinnati in January average around 31°F (-0°C), 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, Cincinnati often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Cincinnati gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.

Cincinnati usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as San Juan. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cincinnati 31°F (-0°C) 
    San Juan 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Cincinnati or San Juan in the Spring?

Both San Juan and Cincinnati are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Cincinnati is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Cincinnati average around 56°F (14°C), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cincinnati. Cincinnati usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Cincinnati gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cincinnati usually receives more rain than San Juan. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cincinnati 56°F (14°C) 
    San Juan 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for San Juan and Cincinnati

Cincinnati San Juan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 31°F (-0°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm) 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm) 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 46°F (8°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 56°F (14°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 66°F (19°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 77°F (25°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Sep 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 58°F (15°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov 48°F (9°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Dec 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)


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