Which place is cheaper, Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Gatlinburg? 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 Gatlinburg?
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.
Gatlinburg
Located in eastern Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and for many it is a destination in and of itself. It's anything but natural, and most of its entertainment is centered around amusement park rides and gimmicky sights. You'll find no shortage of cheap hotels and restaurant options, many of which are the typical chains you would find in most tourist towns. It is a convenient town to pick up any necessities you may have forgotten before your visit to the nearby national park.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesGatlinburg Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Gatlinburg $253
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Gatlinburg is $253. 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 Gatlinburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Gatlinburg $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Gatlinburg $160
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Gatlinburg
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Gatlinburg? 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 Gatlinburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Gatlinburg $35
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
- Private Transfer to El Conquistador Hotel : $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
- Transfer from San Juan to Ponce or Ponce to San Juan: $125
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
- Arrival Private Transfer SJU Airport to Old San Juan by Sedan: $120
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $119
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Gatlinburg?
Prices for flights to both Gatlinburg 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 $62Gatlinburg $148
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:
- Old San Juan Food Tour with 7 Tastings of Authentic Local Flavors: $139
- Private San Juan Cooking Class with a Local Expert: $146
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $165
- FlyDining: 4 Courses Dinner with City Lights & Ocean Breeze: $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 Gatlinburg
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Gatlinburg:
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Chinese Food Dinner (for 2)$21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gatlinburg
For Gatlinburg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Taste the Smokies Appalachian Inspired Cooking Classes: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Gatlinburg $24
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
- Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan: $65
- "Yo Soy de PfknR" Bad Bunny Party Bus Experience: $145
- 1 Hour Historical UTV Tour in San Juan: $200
- 1-Hour Freestyle Jet Ski Adventure in the Bay: $150
- 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
- ATV Double Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $221
- ATV Single Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $149
- Bio Bay Night Kayak Tour with Transport from San Juan: $115
- Bioluminescent Bay Chiliboats Waterbike Tour in La Parguera: $79
Typical Entertainment Prices in Gatlinburg
For Gatlinburg, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Photos$22
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Horseback Riding (for 2)$55
Tours and Activities in Gatlinburg
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gatlinburg.
- 2 hour Extended Ghost and Haunt Tour of Gatlinburg: $40
- 3-Hour Nantahala River Fully Guided Rafting Experience: $65
- 6-Line Zip at Night Tour: $72
- 7-Line Zipline Experience in Sevierville: $119
- Admission Ticket: Brian Hoffman's Remembering Red - A Tribute to Red Skelton: $38
- Admission Ticket: Patty Waszak Show in Pigeon Forge: $38
- Best of the Smokies Private Half-Day Tour with Picnic Lunch: $225
- Cades Cove Jeep Tour: $242
- Cades Cove Sightseeing Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Clingmans Dome Self Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Digital Ocean Adventure in Sevierville: $26
- Dolly's Backroads, Bush Beans & Dandridge, Foliage Photo Tour: $105
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Gatlinburg $15
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
- Puerto Rico's First and Only Craft Beer Brewery Tour! : $99
Sample the Local Flavors in Gatlinburg
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Gatlinburg:
- Famous Moonshine & Wine Tour From Pigeon Forge: $85
When comparing the travel costs between San Juan and Gatlinburg, we can see that Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Gatlinburg?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Gatlinburg, 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 Gatlinburg?
Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg in the Summer?
Both Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg for the hiking.
San Juan is around the same temperature as Gatlinburg in the summer. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
It's quite sunny in Gatlinburg. 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 Gatlinburg during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 294 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. In July, San Juan usually receives less rain than Gatlinburg. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Gatlinburg 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Gatlinburg in the Autumn?
Both Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, San Juan is much warmer than Gatlinburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Gatlinburg averages at about 63°F (17°C).
In Gatlinburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the autumn, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Gatlinburg. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 213 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 Gatlinburg. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Gatlinburg 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Gatlinburg in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Gatlinburg. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Gatlinburg for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Gatlinburg can be very cold during winter. In January, San Juan is generally much warmer than Gatlinburg. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 25°C (77°F), and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Gatlinburg during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.
Gatlinburg receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than Gatlinburg. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Gatlinburg 40°F (5°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Gatlinburg in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Gatlinburg. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
San Juan is much warmer than Gatlinburg in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. 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 Gatlinburg. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 263 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets less rain in April than Gatlinburg. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Gatlinburg 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for Gatlinburg and San Juan
| San Juan | Gatlinburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 40°F (5°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 inches (114 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.