Which place is cheaper, Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Charlottesville? 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 Charlottesville?
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.
Charlottesville
Located in central Virginia, Charlottesville is a little university town steeped in history and culture. Home to Thomas Jefferson, much of the town's architecture is heavily influenced by his hand, while the people scene is full of activities, dining, and entertainment. Many visitors are drawn to the area for the University of Virginia, the Historic Downtown Mall, plus many quaint vineyards and farms in the surrounding countryside.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.
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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesCharlottesville Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Charlottesville $185
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Charlottesville is $185. 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 Charlottesville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Charlottesville $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Charlottesville $160
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Charlottesville
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Charlottesville? 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 Charlottesville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Charlottesville $53
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlottesville
Also for Charlottesville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO): $50
- Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO): $50
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Charlottesville?
Prices for flights to both Charlottesville 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 $62Charlottesville $73
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charlottesville
For Charlottesville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Dairy Market Food Tour: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Charlottesville $18
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
Tours and Activities in Charlottesville
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlottesville.
- Chains, Coffins, & Curses: Charlottesville Ghost Tours: $32
- Chains, Coffins, & Curses: Charlottesville Ghost Tours: $24
- Charlottesville Historic Downtown APP/GPS Smartphone Walking Tour: $7.75
- Charlottesville Scavenger Hunt Experience: $15
- Small Group Washington DC to Thomas Jefferson Monticello Day Tour: $180
- Wine and Culinary Delight Private Tour: $248
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Charlottesville $53
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 Charlottesville
Also in Charlottesville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Family Wine Tour: $85
- Private Wine Tours (Minimum 3 & Maximum 6 ) Pickup Maximum 30 Mi : $95
- 5 Hour Historic Thomas Jefferson Wine Tour: $248
- Private Charlottesville Area Wine Tour: $248
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan and Charlottesville, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Charlottesville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville.
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 Charlottesville Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Charlottesville?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville?
Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville in the Summer?
Both Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, San Juan is around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Juan in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Charlottesville averages at about 78°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. In July, San Juan usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Charlottesville 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Charlottesville in the Autumn?
Both Charlottesville 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. Also, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.
In October, San Juan is generally much warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (82°F), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).
In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the autumn, San Juan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 221 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 Charlottesville. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Charlottesville 59°F (15°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Charlottesville in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Charlottesville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Charlottesville. San Juan is much warmer than Charlottesville in the winter. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Charlottesville during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Charlottesville 36°F (2°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Charlottesville in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Charlottesville. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In the spring, San Juan is much warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Juan in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Charlottesville averages at about 58°F (14°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the spring, San Juan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets less rain in April than Charlottesville. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Charlottesville 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Charlottesville and San Juan
| San Juan | Charlottesville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (83 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 71°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (83 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.