Which place is cheaper, Big Sur 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 Big Sur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Big Sur? 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 Big Sur?
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.
Big Sur
Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.
However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.
While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.
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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesBig Sur Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Big Sur $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Big Sur 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 Big Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Big Sur $165
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Big Sur $330
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Big Sur
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Big Sur? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Big Sur -
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 San Juan or Big Sur?
Prices for flights to both Big Sur 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 $62Big Sur -
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 $49Big Sur -
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 daySan Juan $12Big Sur -
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 San Juan and Big Sur, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Big Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Big Sur 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 Big Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Sur 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 Big Sur.
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 Big Sur Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit San Juan or Big Sur?
Big Sur 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 Big Sur in the Summer?
Both Big Sur 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, many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, San Juan is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (83°F), and Big Sur fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
In July, San Juan usually receives more rain than Big Sur. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Big Sur 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Big Sur in the Autumn?
Both Big Sur 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, many visitors come to Big Sur in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
San Juan is much warmer than Big Sur in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Big Sur fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Big Sur. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Big Sur 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Big Sur in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Big Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Big Sur for the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, San Juan is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Big Sur averages at about 51°F (11°C).
In January, San Juan usually receives around the same amount of rain as Big Sur. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Big Sur 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Big Sur in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Big Sur. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, San Juan is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 26°C (79°F), and Big Sur fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).
San Juan usually gets more rain in April than Big Sur. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Big Sur 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Big Sur and San Juan
| San Juan | Big Sur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 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.