Which place is cheaper, San Juan or New Bern?
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 New Bern or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit New Bern 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: New Bern or San Juan?
New Bern
New Bern is a town in the coastal region of North Carolina. The town, which has a population of about 30,000, is the county seat of Craven County. It sits at the confluence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers close to the North Carolina coast, although there is no coastline in town. The town makes a nice daytrip from Raleigh, which is 112 miles away, and Wilmington, which is 87 miles away. It's also 162 miles from Norfolk, Virginia.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.
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New Bern Prices
USA PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNew Bern $169San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in New Bern is $169, 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 New Bern and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNew Bern $76San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNew Bern $152San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in New Bern and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in New Bern 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: New Bern Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.New Bern $34San 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 New Bern or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and New Bern 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 dayNew Bern $70San 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.New Bern $26San Juan $49
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 dayNew Bern $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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between New Bern and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is New Bern much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since New Bern is in North America 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 New Bern would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in New Bern 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 New Bern.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is New Bern Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, New Bern or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of New Bern 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 New Bern or San Juan?
New Bern 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 New Bern or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and New Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
New Bern is around the same temperature as San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 80°F (27°C) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. New Bern usually gets more rain in July than San Juan. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) 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 JulyNew Bern 80°F (27°C)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit New Bern or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and San Juan. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to New Bern this time of year. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, New Bern is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New Bern in October average around 65°F (18°C), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, New Bern usually receives less rain than San Juan. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) 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 OctoberNew Bern 65°F (18°C)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit New Bern or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to New Bern as well as San Juan. Many travelers come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In January, New Bern is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 44°F (7°C), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. New Bern usually gets more rain in January than San Juan. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) 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 JanuaryNew Bern 44°F (7°C)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit New Bern or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to New Bern in the spring for the small town charm. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
New Bern is much colder than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 62°F (16°C) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In April, New Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) 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 AprilNew Bern 62°F (16°C)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and New Bern
| New Bern | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 44°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 62°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 76°F (25°C) | 5 inches (126 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 80°F (27°C) | 6.6 inches (169 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 79°F (26°C) | 7.6 inches (192 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 65°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 56°F (13°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 48°F (9°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 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.