Which place is cheaper, Alexandria or San Juan?
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 San Juan or Alexandria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Alexandria? 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: San Juan or Alexandria?
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.
Alexandria
Just minutes from the nation's capital of Washington DC, Alexandria offers a world of rich history and beautifully preserved buildings from the 18th-19th centuries. A city of many interests, attractions range from the old haunts of George Washington and historic architecture to museums, local crafts, and quaint boutiques. With its cobblestoned streets, Old Town of Alexandria is sure to charm as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.
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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesAlexandria Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Alexandria $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Alexandria is $0.00. 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 San Juan and Alexandria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Alexandria $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Alexandria $76
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Alexandria
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Alexandria? 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: San Juan Hotel Prices and Alexandria Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Alexandria -
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 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
- SJU Airport Private Transfer to Dorado: $115
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Alexandria?
Prices for flights to both Alexandria and San Juan 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 daySan Juan $62Alexandria -
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.San Juan $49Alexandria -
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: $51
- 3 Tours in 1 Day: Old San Juan, Rainforest, Beach with Transport: $64
- 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
Tours and Activities in Alexandria
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alexandria.
- Alexandria & Mt Vernon Tour: $99
- American Revolution Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Full-Day Bike Tour to Mt Vernon w/ Optional Boat: $68
- Ultimate Dead of Night Walking Ghost Tour: $30
- Old Town Guided Walking Tour with a Local: $39
- Old Town Southern Comfort Food & History Tour: $127
- Phantoms of the Potomac: Old Town Alexandria Ghost Tour: $27
- Semi-Private Walking Tour Old Town Alexandria & Carlyle: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Alexandria -
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Alexandria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Alexandria:
- Alexandria Ghosts: Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan and Alexandria, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Alexandria is in North America, 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 Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Alexandria.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Juan Expensive? and Is Alexandria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Alexandria?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Alexandria. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Alexandria, 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 San Juan or Alexandria?
Alexandria 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 San Juan or Alexandria in the Summer?
Both Alexandria and San Juan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, San Juan is generally around the same temperature as Alexandria. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (83°F), and Alexandria fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Alexandria. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Alexandria during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, San Juan usually receives more rain than Alexandria. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Alexandria 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Alexandria in the Autumn?
Both Alexandria and San Juan during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year.
San Juan is much warmer than Alexandria in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Alexandria fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the autumn, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Alexandria. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 197 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Alexandria. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Alexandria 60°F (15°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Alexandria in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Alexandria. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Alexandria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Alexandria. In the winter, San Juan is much warmer than Alexandria. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Alexandria averages at about 35°F (1°C).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Alexandria during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than Alexandria. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Alexandria 35°F (1°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Alexandria in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Alexandria. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Alexandria in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In April, San Juan is generally much warmer than Alexandria. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 26°C (79°F), and Alexandria fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alexandria. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the spring, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Alexandria. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 228 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Alexandria. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Alexandria 56°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Alexandria and San Juan
| San Juan | Alexandria | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
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.