Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Dar es Salaam?
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 Dar es Salaam or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dar es Salaam and San Juan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or San Juan?
Dar es Salaam
Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.
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 Safaris in Tanzania, and The Best Safaris in Tanzania.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $493San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $493, 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 Dar es Salaam and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $452San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $904San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam 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: Dar es Salaam Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $14San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $106
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $289
- Transfer in Puerto Rico with Minivan from Airport: $280
- Transfer SJU Airport to Ponce and Juana Diaz. Hotels and Airbnb Vice Versa 1 Way: $260
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $200
- Single ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $195
- Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
- Transfer SJU Airport to Dorado. Hotels and Airbnb. Vice Versa One Way Trip.: $140
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Transfer from San Juan to Ponce or Ponce to San Juan: $125
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $120
- Arrival Private Transfer SJU Airport to Old San Juan by Sedan: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Dar es Salaam 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 dayDar es Salaam $33San 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
- Bagamoyo Full-Day Tour: Historic Slave Trade Route & Kaole Ruins: $255
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $140
- 2 Days 1 Night Bagamoyo Historical Tour : $300
- Ancient Bagamoyo City Day Tour: $249
- Bagamoyo Adventure, Historical Tour: $238
- Bagamoyo Historical Tour - Everyday: $199
- Bagamoyo Tour: $120
- Bird Watching Tour to Tegetero Forest 2days 1 night: $205
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour: $150
- Dar Es Salaam City tour: $164
- Dar Es Salaam Local Markets and Village-National Museum Day tour: $150
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
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.
- Culebra Swim with Turtles Adventure and Flamenco Beach by Ferry: $130
- El Yunque Rainforest Tour Half Day Earlybird/ Small Groups: $85
- Full-Day Tour: El Yunque, Luquillo Beach, Bio Bay Night Kayaking: $155
- Puerto Rican Food Experience: $99
- "Exclusive Tour": VIP Rum Tasting at San Juan Artisan Distillers: $150
- "Yo Soy de PfknR" Bad Bunny Party Bus Experience: $145
- 1 Hour Historical UTV Tour in San Juan: $200
- 2 Tours in 1 Day: Rainforest Waterslides & Beach Tour w/Transport: $60
- 3 Tours in 1 Day: Old San Juan, Rainforest, Beach with Transport: $75
- 30-Minute Freestyle Jet Ski Adventure in the Bay: $100
- ATV Double Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $221
- ATV Single Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $149
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.97San 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and San Juan, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is San Juan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa 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 San Juan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan 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 Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam than you might in San Juan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or San Juan?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam or San Juan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than San Juan. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
Dar es Salaam is cooler than San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Dar es Salaam during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dar es Salaam because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dar es Salaam. In the autumn, Dar es Salaam often gets more sunshine than San Juan. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dar es Salaam in October average around 25°C (78°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and San Juan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than San Juan. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during winter. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 28°C (82°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as San Juan. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Dar es Salaam receives a lot of rain in the spring. Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in April than San Juan. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the spring, Dar es Salaam often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.