Which place is cheaper, Denali National Park 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 Denali National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Denali National Park? 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 Denali National Park?
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.
Denali National Park
There is a place in Alaska, 240 miles wide, where you can be a part of the wild frontier. The expansive and untouched area of Denali National Park welcomes thousands of visitors ever year with stunning natural wonders and incredible wildlife like grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou and more.
As home to North America's tallest peak, Denali has attracted nature adventurers from all over the world. Established in 1917 as wildlife refuge, Denali National Park contains areas of tundra and taiga. Taiga zones are covered in evergreen, spruce and aspen trees, while tundra zones are full of miniaturized versions of the plants including flowers, mosses and shrubs.
Remember that the weather changes without warning in Denali. It is a well known to the locals that you can expect sun, wind, rain and clouds in the same day. Pack accordingly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.
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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesDenali National Park Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Denali National Park $260
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Denali National Park is $260. 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 Denali National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Denali National Park $116
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Denali National Park $232
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Denali National Park
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Denali National Park? 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 $14Denali National Park $76
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 Denali National Park?
Prices for flights to both Denali National Park 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 $62Denali National Park $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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Denali National Park $30
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 Denali National Park
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Denali National Park.
- 2.5-Hour Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure Tour: $135
- 3 Hour Naturalist Walking Tour in Denali National Park: $139
- 4 Hour Off-Trail Hiking Tour in Denali: $209
- 5-Hour Mountain Hiking Tour in the Alaska Range - Denali Area: $199
- Alaskan Back Country Side by Side ATV Adventure with Meal: $163
- Classic ATV Adventure with Back Country Dining: $163
- Denali 4 Hour Hiking Adventure with Naturalist Guide: $160
- Denali 5 Hour Hiking Tour with Naturalist Guide: $182
- Denali ATV Trailblazer 3.5 Hour Tour : $178
- Denali Husky Kennel & Brewpub Visit – Half-Day Experience: $130
- Denali Naturalist Walking Tour: $132
- Denali Park Zipline Adventure: $190
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Denali National Park $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 San Juan and Denali National Park, we can see that Denali National Park is more expensive. And not only is San Juan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Denali National Park 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 San Juan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan 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 Denali National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denali National Park than you might in San Juan.
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 Denali National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit San Juan or Denali National Park?
Denali National Park 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 Denali National Park in the Summer?
Both Denali National Park 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 Denali National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, San Juan is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Juan in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Denali National Park averages at about 60°F (15°C).
In July, San Juan usually receives around the same amount of rain as Denali National Park. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Denali National Park 60°F (15°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Denali National Park in the Autumn?
Both Denali National Park 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, many visitors come to Denali National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Denali National Park can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, San Juan is generally much warmer than Denali National Park. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (82°F), and Denali National Park fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Denali National Park. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Denali National Park 32°F (0°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Denali National Park in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Denali National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, most visitors come to Denali National Park for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Denali National Park can be very cold during winter. San Juan is much warmer than Denali National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Denali National Park fluctuates around 11°F (-12°C).
In January, San Juan usually receives more rain than Denali National Park. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Denali National Park 11°F (-12°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Denali National Park in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Denali National Park. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Denali National Park because of the natural beauty.
The weather in Denali National Park can be very cold. In the spring, San Juan is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Juan in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Denali National Park averages at about 34°F (1°C).
San Juan usually gets more rain in April than Denali National Park. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Denali National Park 34°F (1°C)
Typical Weather for Denali National Park and San Juan
| San Juan | Denali National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 11°F (-12°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.4 inches (37 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 34°F (1°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 4.2 inches (108 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 32°F (0°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 13°F (-11°C) | 1.9 inches (49 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.