Which place is cheaper, Napa Valley 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 Napa Valley?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Napa Valley? 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 Napa Valley?
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.
Napa Valley
Napa Valley, in the Bay Area of California, is a popular destination for its wineries and beautiful scenery. The area, referred to as Wine Country, is just north of San Francisco and makes for a great day or weekend trip. Many honeymooners visit the area for its romantic setting and popular bed and breakfasts. The best time to visit is during the months of September and October when the grapes are wipe. This time is referred to as the harvest "crush." The summer months are also a popular time but the crowds are often overwhelming.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.
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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesNapa Valley Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Napa Valley $333
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Napa Valley is $333. 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 Napa Valley in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Napa Valley $126
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Napa Valley $252
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Napa Valley
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Napa Valley? 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 Napa Valley Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Napa Valley $183
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 Napa Valley
Also for Napa Valley, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Francisco Airport Private Transfer to Napa Valley: $108
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Napa Valley?
Prices for flights to both Napa Valley 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 $62Napa Valley $108
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 Napa Valley
For Napa Valley, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Zero Proof Libations and Food Tour of Downtown Napa: $159
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Napa Valley $28
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 Napa Valley
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Napa Valley.
- 3 Hour Electric Trike Sunset Tour at Sonoma: $175
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour Around Bodega Head : $9.99
- Behind-the-Scenes Food and Wine E-Bike Tour: $159
- Full-Day Napa Valley E-Bike Tour with Picnic Lunch: $224
- Half Day Bike Tour: $139
- Half Day Tour: $139
- Half-Day Napa Valley E-Bike Tour: $169
- Napa Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Napa Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Napa Valley & Sonoma Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $25
- Napa Valley Daily Join In Group Wineries Tour Including Lunch: $125
- Napa Valley Mountainside Small Group Winery Tour: $141
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Napa Valley $66
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 Napa Valley
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Napa Valley:
- Napa Exploration Wine Tasting: $78
- Serene and Romantic Wine Tasting Next to the Vines in Napa Valley: $85
- Guided Wine Tour with Picnic Lunch: $137
- ATV Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting: $150
- ATV Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting: $155
- Intro to Wine Tasting with Napa Sommelière : $156
- #1 Sonoma Walking Food, Wine Tasting & History Tour (Public Tour): $189
- Healdsburg Cycling Wine Tour : $199
- Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour | 6-8hr Private Fully Customized.*XL SUV: $250
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan and Napa Valley, we can see that Napa Valley 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 Napa Valley 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 Napa Valley would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Napa Valley 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 Napa Valley Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Napa Valley?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Napa Valley. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Napa Valley, 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 Napa Valley?
Napa Valley 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 Napa Valley in the Summer?
Both Napa Valley 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, most visitors come to Napa Valley for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, San Juan is generally a little warmer than Napa Valley. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (83°F), and Napa Valley fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
It's quite sunny in Napa Valley. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually receives less sunshine than Napa Valley during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Napa Valley receives 439 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, San Juan usually receives more rain than Napa Valley. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Napa Valley receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Napa Valley 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Napa Valley in the Autumn?
Both Napa Valley 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 autumn months attract visitors to Napa Valley because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
San Juan is much warmer than Napa Valley in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Napa Valley fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
In Napa Valley, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the autumn, San Juan often gets less sunshine than Napa Valley. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Napa Valley receives 300 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 Napa Valley. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Napa Valley receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Napa Valley 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Napa Valley in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Napa Valley. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Napa Valley this time of year.
In the winter, San Juan is much warmer than Napa Valley. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Napa Valley averages at about 46°F (8°C).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Napa Valley during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Napa Valley receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than Napa Valley. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Napa Valley receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Napa Valley 46°F (8°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Napa Valley in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Napa Valley. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Napa Valley for the natural beauty.
In April, San Juan is generally much warmer than Napa Valley. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 26°C (79°F), and Napa Valley fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Napa Valley. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the spring, San Juan often gets less sunshine than Napa Valley. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Napa Valley receives 328 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets more rain in April than Napa Valley. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Napa Valley receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Napa Valley 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Napa Valley and San Juan
| San Juan | Napa Valley | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.7 inches (68 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.