Which place is cheaper, Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Bar Harbor? 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 Bar Harbor?
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.
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is a seafront town located on Mount Desert Island just off the coast of Maine. The Wabanaki Indians who seasonally fished, hunted and gathered berries, clams, and other shellfish in the area, called it the ‘clam-gathering' or ‘clambake' place. Eventually the area was settled by Europeans who established industries in fishing, lumbering, shipbuilding, and agriculture. Its maritime scenery even attracted artists of the Hudson River School like Thomas Cole, and the area soon became a seasonal resort for the affluent, comparable to that of Newport, Rhode Island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.
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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesBar Harbor Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Bar Harbor $243
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Bar Harbor is $243. 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 Bar Harbor in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Bar Harbor $117
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Bar Harbor $234
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Bar Harbor
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Bar Harbor? 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 Bar Harbor Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Bar Harbor $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Premium Transfer in Airport, Hotel, Airbnb, Cruise: $25
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- San Juan hotels to San Juan PR Cruise Port - Departure Transfer: $30
- San Juan One-way Transfer - Cruise, SJU, Hotels, Airbnb: $30
- Private Transfer Puerto Rico:To or From Airports, Hotels &Cruises: $33
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, Tesla 3 Luxury Sedan.: $56
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports: $66
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Roundtrip-Transfer in Puerto Rico: From Airports, Hotels, Cruises: $71
- Airport Transfer to Cruise Ships, Hotels, Airbnb in San Juan: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Bar Harbor?
Prices for flights to both Bar Harbor 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 $62Bar Harbor $98
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
Typical Food Prices in Bar Harbor
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bar Harbor are as follows:
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West Street Cafe (for 4)$70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Bar Harbor $39
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bar Harbor
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bar Harbor are as follows:
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Acadia National Park Entrance Fee$25
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Sunset Cruise (for 4)$96
Tours and Activities in Bar Harbor
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bar Harbor are as follows:
- 4 Hour Private Tour: Acadia, Fjord, Gardens & Mansions: $700
- 90-minute Ghost Walking Tour in Bar Harbor: $33
- Acadia Fat tire Ebike Tours: $190
- Acadia Full Day Small Group Tour & Hike: $427
- Acadia Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $25
- Acadia National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
- Acadia's Ocean Path Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Bar Harbor Premium Driving Tour With Thunder Hole & Acadia: $159
- Bar Harbor Premium Tour with Cadillac Mountain and Acadia Park: $149
- Bar Harbor Walking Tour: $30
- Bar Harbor, Maine: Culinary Walking Tour with Tastings: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Bar Harbor $30
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 San Juan and Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor 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 San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Bar Harbor is in North America, 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 San Juan Expensive? and Is Bar Harbor Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Bar Harbor?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Bar Harbor, 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 Bar Harbor?
Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor in the Summer?
Both Bar Harbor and San Juan during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
San Juan is a little warmer than Bar Harbor in the summer. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).
San Juan usually gets more rain in July than Bar Harbor. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Bar Harbor 69°F (21°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Bar Harbor. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, San Juan is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Bar Harbor averages at about 48°F (9°C).
San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Juan usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Bar Harbor 48°F (9°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Bar Harbor in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Bar Harbor. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.
It's quite cold in Bar Harbor in the winter. In January, San Juan is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 25°C (77°F), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).
San Juan usually gets less rain in January than Bar Harbor. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Bar Harbor 18°F (-8°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Bar Harbor in the Spring?
Both Bar Harbor and San Juan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
San Juan is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).
In April, San Juan usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Bar Harbor 43°F (6°C)
Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and San Juan
| San Juan | Bar Harbor | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 18°F (-8°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 20°F (-6°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 37°F (3°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 24°F (-5°C) | 4 inches (100 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.