Which place is cheaper, Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Santa Monica? 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 Santa Monica?
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.
Santa Monica
When it comes to visiting Los Angeles, Santa Monica is high on the must-see-and-do list. Chances are you'll recognize the iconic ferris wheel from Pacific Park in films and TV shows, and nothing beats the relaxed yet bustling vibe of this laid-back city.
Santa Monica is a popular and diverse beach town, cultural hub, fitness venue, shopping district, and neighborhood full of unique and trendy restaurants, all rolled into one. Visited by more than 6 million people a year, it's no wonder you'll always find a crowd there.
So whether you're up for a high-end shopping spree, bicycling down the waterfront, an eclectic food crawl or simply a stroll down the promenade, Santa Monica is sure to have something in store for you.
The weather in Santa Monica is moderate, with average summer highs in the low to mid 70s and winter climate that rests comfortably around the low 50s. Though flip flops and sandals are considered year-round footwear in Los Angeles, bring comfortable walking shoes for browsing galleries, malls, and boutiques. Santa Monica is the perfect place to break out your California-casual wardrobe.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.
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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesSanta Monica Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Santa Monica $248
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Santa Monica is $248. 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 Santa Monica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Santa Monica $123
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Santa Monica $246
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Santa Monica
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Santa Monica? 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 Santa Monica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Santa Monica $50
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 Santa Monica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Monica:
- Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport Departure Private Transfer: $191
- Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Santa Monica?
Prices for flights to both Santa Monica 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 $62Santa Monica $91
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 Santa Monica
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Monica.
- City Cruises Los Angeles Dinner Cruise from Marina del Rey: $132
- Romantic-Surprise Dinner-Wine & Cheese or Sushi Boat Cruise: $149
- Gourmet Santa Monica Walking Food Tour with Delicious Dish: $159
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Santa Monica $38
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 Santa Monica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Monica are as follows:
- 1934 Classic MotorSailer Experience Timeless Elegance and History: $240
- 3 ½-Hour Sea to the Stars Hollywood Hopper Tour: $55
- 3 Hour Private Jeep Tour of Santa Monica: $200
- 4-Hour Los Angeles Tour With Guide And Hotel Pickup: $131
- City Cruises Los Angeles Brunch Cruise from Marina del Rey: $129
- City Tour of Los Angeles from Torrance and El Segundo: $122
- E-Boat Ride in Marina Del Rey Boat Tour Experience: $85
- Exotic Tijuana Massage Tour in LA: $250
- Full Day Iconic Sites Tour of LA from Santa Monica with Six Stops: $99
- Half Day Best of Los Angeles Tour from Santa Monica : $79
- Hidden Los Angeles Private Photo Tour - Best for social media: $164
- Highway 1 Pacific Coast Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Santa Monica $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 Santa Monica
Also in Santa Monica, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Santa Monica Bar Crawl: $15
When comparing the travel costs between San Juan and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Santa Monica?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica?
Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica in the Summer?
Both Santa Monica 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, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.
In the summer, San Juan is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Juan in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Santa Monica averages at about 70°F (21°C).
San Juan usually gets more rain in July than Santa Monica. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Santa Monica 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Santa Monica in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Santa Monica. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the shopping scene.
In October, San Juan is generally a little warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (82°F), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).
San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Juan usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Santa Monica 67°F (20°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Santa Monica in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Santa Monica. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
San Juan is much warmer than Santa Monica in the winter. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
San Juan usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Santa Monica 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Santa Monica in the Spring?
Both Santa Monica 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, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the beaches during these months.
In the spring, San Juan is much warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Juan in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Santa Monica averages at about 61°F (16°C).
In April, San Juan usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Santa Monica 61°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Monica and San Juan
| San Juan | Santa Monica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 0.6 inches (15 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.