Which place is cheaper, Monterey 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 Monterey?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Monterey? 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 Monterey?
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.
Monterey
When it comes to California, Monterey may not be mentioned half as much as you hear about Los Angeles or San Francisco, but it is a beautiful city to visit, with a diverse expanse of exciting and relaxing things to do, whether you're looking for adventure, a quiet getaway, or romance.
Located on California's central coast, the city of Monterey was the first State Capital of California. It was also home to many artists, athletes, and musicians, such as John Steinbeck, Clint Eastwood, and Ron Johnson.
Monterey has mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, dry summers. Cold season runs from December to April and warm season, from July until October. The peak travel seasons are during summer, from July to September. If you want to avoid crowds, the months of April and October are ideal times to visit for fewer crowds and comfortable weather.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.
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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesMonterey Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Monterey $211
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Monterey is $211. 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 Monterey in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Monterey $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Monterey $180
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Monterey
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Monterey? 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 Monterey Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Monterey $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in Puerto Rico with Minivan from Airport: $280
- Transfer from San Juan to Ponce or Ponce to San Juan: $125
- Transfer SJU Airport to Ponce and Juana Diaz. Hotels and Airbnb Vice Versa 1 Way: $260
- Transfer SJU Airport to Dorado. Hotels and Airbnb. Vice Versa One Way Trip.: $140
- Single ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $195
- San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports: $66
- San Juan hotels to San Juan PR Cruise Port - Departure Transfer: $30
- San Juan Puerto Rico Private Transfers: $105
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $120
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- San Juan One-way Transfer - Cruise, SJU, Hotels, Airbnb: $30
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Monterey?
Prices for flights to both Monterey 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 $62Monterey $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 $49Monterey $27
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 Monterey
For Monterey, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Family Friendly" Scenic E-Bike Tour along 17 Mile Dr: $79
- Big Sur: Sightseeing Tour with 4 to 5 Stops: $214
- From San Francisco: Monterey and Carmel Day Tour: $131
- Mist, Mayhem & Murder: Monterey Ghost Tours: $24
- Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise: $95
- Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour: $75
- Monterey County Salinas Valley Farm Tour: $208
- Monterey Peninsula Sightseeing Tour including 17 Mile Drive: $202
- Monterey- 3 Hour GPS Guided Tour: $229
- 1-Hour GPS Guided Scooter Car Tour: $112
- 17-Mile Drive Guided E-Bike Tour: $79
- 17-Mile Drive Pebble Beach E-Bike Tour: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Monterey $21
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 Monterey
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Monterey:
- Carmel Valley Wine Tasting Tour: $206
When comparing the travel costs between San Juan and Monterey, we can see that San Juan 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 Monterey 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 Monterey Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Monterey?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Monterey. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Monterey, 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 Monterey?
Monterey 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 Monterey in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Monterey. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Monterey because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, San Juan is generally much warmer than Monterey. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (83°F), and Monterey fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
In July, San Juan usually receives more rain than Monterey. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Monterey 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)Monterey 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Monterey in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Monterey. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Monterey this time of year.
San Juan is much warmer than Monterey in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Monterey fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Monterey. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Monterey 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)Monterey 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Monterey in the Winter?
Both Monterey and San Juan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Monterey for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, San Juan is much warmer than Monterey. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Monterey averages at about 51°F (11°C).
In January, San Juan usually receives around the same amount of rain as Monterey. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Monterey 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)Monterey 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Monterey in the Spring?
Both Monterey and San Juan during the spring 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 Monterey in the spring for the beaches.
In April, San Juan is generally much warmer than Monterey. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 26°C (79°F), and Monterey fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).
San Juan usually gets more rain in April than Monterey. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Monterey 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)Monterey 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Monterey and San Juan
| San Juan | Monterey | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.