Which place is cheaper, Victoria 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 Victoria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Victoria? 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 Victoria?
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.
Victoria
The capital city of British Columbia, Canada, Victoria is positioned near the southern edge of Vancouver Island. It's a wonderfully pleasant city and has been nicknamed the Garden City because of its vast green space and public gardens. There is a population of just over 80,000 in the city proper and almost 350,000 in the greater metropolitan area. Dating back to 1843, it's also one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. As such, it has many historic buildings and beautiful architecture. It also has the second oldest Chinatown in North America, following San Francisco's.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.
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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesVictoria Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Victoria $201
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Victoria is $201. 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 Victoria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Victoria $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Victoria
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Victoria? 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 Victoria Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Victoria $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in Puerto Rico with Minivan from Airport: $280
- Transfer from San Juan to Ponce or Ponce to San Juan: $125
- Transfer SJU Airport to Ponce and Juana Diaz. Hotels and Airbnb Vice Versa 1 Way: $260
- Transfer SJU Airport to Dorado. Hotels and Airbnb. Vice Versa One Way Trip.: $140
- Single ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $195
- San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports: $66
- San Juan hotels to San Juan PR Cruise Port - Departure Transfer: $30
- San Juan Puerto Rico Private Transfers: $105
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $120
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- San Juan One-way Transfer - Cruise, SJU, Hotels, Airbnb: $30
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria
Also for Victoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Cruise Transfer with City Sightseeing Tour: $682
- Victoria to Vancouver Scenic Seaplane Transfer: One Way: $289
- Private Transfer from Victoria City Hotels to Nanaimo Cruise Port: $131
- Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $91
- Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Cruise Terminal Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $91
- Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $77
- Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Victoria?
Prices for flights to both Victoria 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 $62Victoria $47
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 Victoria
For Victoria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $86
- Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $88
- Vistas and Views Food Tour with 3-Course Meal: $100
- Indulge in a Wine & Food Tour - Cowichan Valley : $125
- Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $144
- Gourmet Dinner Tour Including Local Beer, Wine and City Highlights: $221
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Victoria $45
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 Victoria
For Victoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 24 Hour Hop-On, Hop-Off Double Decker Victoria City Tour: $44
- 60-Minute Beacon Hill Park Tour: $227
- 75-Minute The Royal Tour: $279
- Beacon Hill Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Experience in Victoria: $227
- Butchart & Beyond: The Grand Victoria Tour: $355
- Butchart Gardens and City Private Tour: $292
- COMBO Victoria City Tour & Butchart Gardens & Entry Tix: $105
- Chinatown and Hidden Alleys Pedicab Tour: $92
- Downtown Victoria Food & City Tour: $88
- East Sooke Park Coastal Hiking Tour with a Bite and Beer: $129
- Eat Like a Canadian Food & Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Evening Sip, Savor, Stroll Tour: $147
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Victoria $16
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 Victoria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Victoria:
- Victoria BC: Tour & Tasting Around Award Winning Distillery: $21
- Pickle Pub Crawl: Ferry Rides and Appetizers: $52
- Local Brewery Tour with a Guide: $86
- Victoria, BC: Food & Wine Tour to the Cowichan Valley: $118
- 6-Hour Victoria to Cowichan Wine Tour: $126
- Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and Charcuterie: $132
- Private Saanich Peninsula Wine Tour : $144
- Cowichan Valley Premium Wine Tour: $474
When comparing the travel costs between San Juan and Victoria, we can see that San Juan 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 Victoria 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 Victoria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Victoria?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Victoria. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Victoria, 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 Victoria?
Victoria 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 Victoria in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Victoria. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Victoria because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, San Juan is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (83°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In July, San Juan usually receives more rain than Victoria. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Victoria 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit San Juan or Victoria in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Victoria. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Victoria this time of year.
San Juan is much warmer than Victoria in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Victoria. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Victoria 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit San Juan or Victoria in the Winter?
Both Victoria and San Juan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Victoria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Victoria. In the winter, San Juan is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Victoria averages at about 5°C (41°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Victoria. In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than Victoria. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Victoria 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit San Juan or Victoria in the Spring?
Both Victoria and San Juan during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, San Juan is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 26°C (79°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
San Juan usually gets more rain in April than Victoria. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Victoria 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Victoria and San Juan
| San Juan | Victoria | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
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.