Which place is cheaper, Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Ketchikan? 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 Ketchikan?
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.
Ketchikan
Ketchikan, Alaska is located at the southern end of the well-known Alaskan inside passage. It is often called the beginning of the last frontier, because of it's location near the southern entrance of Alaska. It is a beautiful and quaint town, that leaves you feeling like you may have gone back in time with its storefront lined streets and natural beauty. Ketchikan has been called some of the most beautifully stunning wilderness area in the world. It is known as the Salmon Capital of the World due to the superior century old fishing industry in the area. The Native Culture in Ketchikan is extremely rich and it is home to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian tribes. The nearby Tongass rainforest provides red cedar trees for the popular totem poles, which are abundant in the area.
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 PricesKetchikan Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Ketchikan $259
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Ketchikan is $259. 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 Ketchikan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Ketchikan $136
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Ketchikan $272
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Ketchikan
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Ketchikan? 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 $14Ketchikan $39
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ketchikan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ketchikan are as follows:
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Bus Ride$1.00
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Ketchikan?
Prices for flights to both Ketchikan 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 $62Ketchikan $92
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 Ketchikan
Some typical examples of dining costs in Ketchikan are as follows:
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Slice of Pie & Drink$5.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ketchikan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ketchikan.
- Alaskan Salmon Cooking Class & Dining Experience: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Ketchikan $46
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 Ketchikan
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Ketchikan are as follows:
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Ticket to Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show$35
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Duck Tour (one person)$38
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Bear Viewing Tour$83
Tours and Activities in Ketchikan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ketchikan are as follows:
- “OVER THE TOP TOURS” city highlights, wildlife and more!: $100
- 2 Hour Alaska Rainforest Walk and Totem Park Small Group Tour: $95
- 2 Hour Custom Wildlife and Historical Tour: $100
- 2 Hour Private Tour with locals ( Price up to 5): $300
- 2 hr Private Custom Tour of Ketchikan (14 people) Wildlife + More: $250
- 2.5 Hour Tour in Ketchikan on the Tongass Trolley: $85
- 3 Hour Rainforest Walk & Totem Park Wild Wolf Tours: $125
- Adventure Kart Expedition- Ketchikan, AK: $282
- Alaska Bigfoot Adventures: $149
- Alaska Historical Tour with Cruise Hike and Cultural Immersion: $260
- Alaska Wildlife Safari and Sightseeing Tour: $137
- Alaska Wildlife Waterfall Tours: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Ketchikan $23
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 Ketchikan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ketchikan:
- Distillery Tour and Signature Bottle Infusion Experience: $149
- Distillery Tour with Infusion Class: $161
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan and Ketchikan, we can see that Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Ketchikan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Ketchikan. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Ketchikan, 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 Ketchikan?
Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan in the Summer?
Both Ketchikan 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ketchikan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
San Juan is much warmer than Ketchikan in the summer. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).
Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. San Juan usually gets less rain in July than Ketchikan. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Ketchikan 58°F (15°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Ketchikan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Ketchikan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Ketchikan in the autumn for 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 Ketchikan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Ketchikan averages at about 46°F (8°C).
Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Juan usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Ketchikan 46°F (8°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Ketchikan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Ketchikan. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Ketchikan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Ketchikan can be very cold during winter. In January, San Juan is generally much warmer than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 25°C (77°F), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 34°F (1°C).
It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. San Juan usually gets less rain in January than Ketchikan. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Ketchikan 34°F (1°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Ketchikan in the Spring?
Both Ketchikan 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, the spring months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.
San Juan is much warmer than Ketchikan in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 44°F (6°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. In April, San Juan usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Ketchikan 44°F (6°C)
Typical Weather for Ketchikan and San Juan
| San Juan | Ketchikan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 34°F (1°C) | 14.9 inches (379 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 38°F (3°C) | 13.2 inches (335 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 10.6 inches (270 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 44°F (6°C) | 11.3 inches (286 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 9.3 inches (237 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 8.2 inches (209 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 7.6 inches (193 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 11.1 inches (281 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 13.2 inches (335 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 22.9 inches (581 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 40°F (4°C) | 17.3 inches (441 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 15.7 inches (398 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.