Which place is cheaper, Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Palm Springs? 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 Palm Springs?
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.
Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a desert resort town located about two hours east of Los Angeles, most famously known as Hollywood's playground, where stars and starlets could escape for rest and relaxation but still be close enough to return for impromptu work.
It's no wonder that Palm Springs is increasingly popular as a weekend getaway for special occasions, and even for bachelor and bachelorette parties. Closer than the typical Las Vegas weekend for Southern California residents, Palm Springs provides a desert getaway with endless possibilities of activities, whether visitors want to gamble, shop, hike, or wander through an art gallery.
Climate in the high-desert is generally warm with highs in the 100s during the hot and dry summers, and lows in the mid 40s in the winter months, with sparse rainfall. However, if you're visiting during winter, be sure to pack versatile attire and layers as the days may be warm, but the nights in the low desert can get chilly enough to convince you to change into long pants.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.
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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesPalm Springs Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Palm Springs $244
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Palm Springs is $244. 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 Palm Springs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Palm Springs $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Palm Springs $240
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Palm Springs
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Palm Springs? 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 Palm Springs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Palm Springs $52
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palm Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palm Springs:
- Private Airport Transfer in Palm Springs: $214
- Desert Hot Springs to Palm Springs Airport PSP Departure Transfer: $201
- Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to Desert Hot Springs Arrival Transfer: $201
- Private Transfer from PSP to Vía La Quinta, Indio, CA : $173
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Palm Springs?
Prices for flights to both Palm Springs 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 $62Palm Springs $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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palm Springs
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palm Springs.
- Private Palm Springs Cooking Class with a Fun Local Chef Stephen: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Palm Springs $29
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
Tours and Activities in Palm Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palm Springs are as follows:
- Palm Springs Windmill Guided Tour by Golf Cart: $55
- 10+ Self-Guided Driving Tours from Las Vegas: $45
- 100+ Self-Guided Audio Tours: Driving & Walking Bundle: $100
- All-In-One California Self-Guided Driving & Walking Bundle Tour: $50
- Bombay Beach Salton Sea and Salvation Mountain Guided Art Tour: $225
- Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ: $129
- Death Valley National Park Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
- Drag Queen Hosted Mobile Theater Palm Springs Sightseeing Tours: $125
- Earthquake Canyon Express Downhill Bicycle Adventure: $149
- Food Adventure Game: $99
- French Bicycle Tour of Palm Springs: $152
- Golf Cart Tour in a 6 Passenger Cart in Palm Springs California: $195
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Palm Springs $13
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 comparing the travel costs between San Juan and Palm Springs, we can see that Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Palm Springs?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Palm Springs. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Palm Springs, 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 Palm Springs?
Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs in the Summer?
Both Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
San Juan is a little warmer than Palm Springs in the summer. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Palm Springs fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
San Juan usually gets more rain in July than Palm Springs. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Palm Springs 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Palm Springs in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Palm Springs. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Palm Springs in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, San Juan is a little warmer than Palm Springs. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Palm Springs averages at about 69°F (20°C).
San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Juan usually receives more rain than Palm Springs. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Palm Springs 69°F (20°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Palm Springs in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Palm Springs. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Palm Springs for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, San Juan is generally much warmer than Palm Springs. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 25°C (77°F), and Palm Springs fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
San Juan usually gets more rain in January than Palm Springs. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 2 inches (52 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Palm Springs 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Palm Springs in the Spring?
Both Palm Springs 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.
San Juan is much warmer than Palm Springs in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Palm Springs fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
In April, San Juan usually receives more rain than Palm Springs. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.9 inches (24 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Palm Springs 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for Palm Springs and San Juan
| San Juan | Palm Springs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 65°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.7 inches (42 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.