Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Leiden?
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 Leiden 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 Leiden and San Juan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Leiden or San Juan?
Leiden
Leiden is a city in the province of South Holland. It is south of the Netherlands capital, Amsterdam, and has a population of about 190,000. It is known for its university, museums, markets, and of course, canals. Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and is a sister school of Oxford, which is England's oldest university.
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 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.
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Leiden Prices
Netherlands PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeiden $189San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Leiden is $189, 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 Leiden and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeiden $91San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeiden $182San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Leiden and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Leiden 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: Leiden Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leiden $30San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leiden
Also for Leiden, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Historical Private Tour of Delft and Leiden including Transfer: $262
- Private Tour of The Hague and Leiden including Transfer: $251
- Premium electric transfer from Leiden Area to the Airport: $101
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in Puerto Rico with Minivan from Airport: $280
- Transfer from San Juan to Ponce or Ponce to San Juan: $125
- Transfer SJU Airport to Ponce and Juana Diaz. Hotels and Airbnb Vice Versa 1 Way: $260
- Transfer SJU Airport to Dorado. Hotels and Airbnb. Vice Versa One Way Trip.: $140
- Single ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $195
- San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports: $66
- San Juan hotels to San Juan PR Cruise Port - Departure Transfer: $30
- San Juan Puerto Rico Private Transfers: $105
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $120
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- San Juan One-way Transfer - Cruise, SJU, Hotels, Airbnb: $30
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Leiden or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Leiden 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 dayLeiden $78San 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.Leiden $20San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Leiden
For Leiden, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 90 minutes Self-Guided Walking tour with puzzles in Leiden: $23
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $108
- Cruise with Keukenhof Entrance Ticket in Amsterdam Lakes: $47
- Discover Leiden with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour!: $30
- Discover Leiden's Highlights: Your Self-Guided GPS Tour: $8.29
- Dutch Windmills & Polder Walking Tour: $45
- Escape Tour Leiden -selfguided citygame- find the secret exit!: $24
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour in Leiden: $262
- Historical Private Tour with Local Guide: $351
- Leiden City Tour with Live guide in Netherlands: $43
- Cruise through the Historic City Center with Guide: $15
- Cultural highlights walking tour NEW: $294
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 dayLeiden $30San 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 Leiden and San Juan, we can see that San Juan 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 Leiden is in Europe 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 Leiden Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leiden or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Leiden 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 Leiden or San Juan?
Leiden 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 Leiden or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and San Juan. Most visitors come to Leiden for the family-friendly experiences during these months. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Leiden is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leiden in July average around 17°C (62°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Leiden, it's very sunny this time of the year. Leiden usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Leiden usually receives less rain than San Juan. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) 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 JulyLeiden 17°C (62°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Leiden or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Leiden as well as San Juan. The autumn months attract visitors to Leiden because of the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In October, Leiden is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 11°C (51°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the autumn, Leiden often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. Leiden usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) 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 OctoberLeiden 11°C (51°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Leiden or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Leiden this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Leiden in the winter. Leiden is much colder than San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Leiden usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Leiden usually receives more rain than San Juan. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) 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 JanuaryLeiden 2°C (36°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Leiden or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Leiden during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In the spring, Leiden is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leiden in April average around 8°C (46°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Leiden often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
Leiden usually gets less rain in April than San Juan. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) 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 AprilLeiden 8°C (46°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Leiden
| Leiden | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 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.