A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Juan vs. Newton for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Juan or Newton?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit San Juan or Newton? 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 Newton?

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.

Newton

Newton, a large suburb of Boston, consists of 13 villages or neighborhoods: Auburndale, Chestnut Hill, Lower Falls, Newton Centre, Newton Corner, Newton Highlands, Newtonville, Nonantum, Oak Hill, Thompsonville, Upper Falls, Waban, and West Newton. It's a good sized city with a population of over 80,000. Each village has its own historical and architectural character. Many of the villages were founded around railroad stations when the Boston & Worcester line opened in 1833 along the north side of the city. Another railroad line started along the south side of town in 1851. It's now the "D" line of the MBTA's Green Line. Walking tours of most villages are available and recommended for history buffs.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.


Which place is cheaper, Newton 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Newton is $166. 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 Newton in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Juan $124
    Newton $82
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Juan $248
    Newton $164
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Newton

Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Newton? 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.

Hotels in San Juan


Hotels in Newton


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Juan $14
    Newton $80

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 Newton?

Prices for flights to both Newton 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    San Juan $62
    Newton $43

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Juan $49
    Newton -
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan

For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Horseback Riding Tour
    $40
  • Full Day Snorkeling Trip
    $100
  • 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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Juan $12
    Newton -

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 Newton, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Newton much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Newton 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 Newton would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Newton 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 San Juan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Juan than you might in Newton.

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 Newton Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, San Juan or Newton?

San Juan has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Newton. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Newton, 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 Newton?

Newton 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 Newton in the Summer?

Both Newton 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.

In July, San Juan is generally a little warmer than Newton. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (83°F), and Newton fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Newton. 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 Newton during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Newton receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, San Juan usually receives more rain than Newton. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Newton receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    San Juan 28°C (83°F) 
    Newton 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit San Juan or Newton in the Autumn?

Both Newton 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.

San Juan is much warmer than Newton in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Newton fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the autumn, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Newton. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newton receives 194 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 Newton. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Newton receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    San Juan 28°C (82°F) 
    Newton 54°F (12°C)

Should I visit San Juan or Newton in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Newton. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.

Newton can be very cold during winter. In the winter, San Juan is much warmer than Newton. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Newton averages at about 29°F (-2°C).

In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Newton during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Newton receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than Newton. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Newton receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    San Juan 25°C (77°F) 
    Newton 29°F (-2°C)

Should I visit San Juan or Newton in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Newton. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, San Juan is generally much warmer than Newton. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 26°C (79°F), and Newton fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newton. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the spring, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Newton. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newton receives 225 hours of full sun.

San Juan usually gets less rain in April than Newton. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Newton receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    San Juan 26°C (79°F) 
    Newton 48°F (9°C)

Typical Weather for Newton and San Juan

San Juan Newton
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 29°F (-2°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 30°F (-1°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 38°F (4°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 58°F (15°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 68°F (20°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 72°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 64°F (18°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 54°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 45°F (7°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Dec 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 33°F (1°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)


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