Which place is cheaper, Sonoma 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 Sonoma?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Sonoma? 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 Sonoma?
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.
Sonoma
When people say Sonoma, they are often referring to the region's wine country, but in fact, Sonoma is a county, a valley, and a town. The county covers 1,768 square miles and is more spread out than nearby Napa. There are more than 30 cities and towns in the county and 425 wineries with tasting rooms. The county also borders the Pacific Ocean, and the beautiful 55 mile stretch of coastline is rugged and dramatic.
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 PricesSonoma Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Sonoma $260
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Sonoma is $260. 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 Sonoma in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Sonoma $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Sonoma $186
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Sonoma
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Sonoma? 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 Sonoma Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Sonoma $134
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 Sonoma?
Prices for flights to both Sonoma 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 $62Sonoma $96
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 $49Sonoma $16
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 Sonoma
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sonoma.
- From Napa Valley Classic Sidecar Tour to 3 Wineries: $340
- Sonoma Valley: Guided Winery Tour with Picnic Lunch: $137
- Sonoma Valley: Wine Trolley Tasting Tour with Lunch: $135
- Sonoma Plaza Walking Tour: $109
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Sonoma $41
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 Sonoma, we can see that Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sonoma 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 Sonoma Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Sonoma?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Sonoma. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Sonoma, 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 Sonoma?
Sonoma 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 Sonoma in the Summer?
Both Sonoma 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 Sonoma for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, San Juan is generally a little warmer than Sonoma. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (83°F), and Sonoma fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
In July, San Juan usually receives more rain than Sonoma. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Sonoma 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)Sonoma 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Sonoma in the Autumn?
Both Sonoma 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 Sonoma because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
San Juan is much warmer than Sonoma in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Sonoma fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Sonoma. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Sonoma 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)Sonoma 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Sonoma in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Sonoma. 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 Sonoma this time of year.
In the winter, San Juan is much warmer than Sonoma. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Sonoma averages at about 46°F (8°C).
In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than Sonoma. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Sonoma 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)Sonoma 46°F (8°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Sonoma in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Sonoma. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Sonoma for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, San Juan is generally much warmer than Sonoma. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 26°C (79°F), and Sonoma fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).
San Juan usually gets more rain in April than Sonoma. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Sonoma 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)Sonoma 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Sonoma and San Juan
| San Juan | Sonoma | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.