Which place is cheaper, Whistler 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 Whistler?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Whistler? 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 Whistler?
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.
Whistler
Located in the province of British Columbia in Canada, Whistler is most famous as the largest ski area in North America. It is also only a short distance from the city of Vancouver, and offers countless opportunities for snow boarding and other winter sports. The town has a permanent population of almost 10,000 and there is a larger seasonal population of workers that come from all over the world. Whistler is a major travel destination with more than two million people visiting the town yearly. As such, there are countless amenities available to visitors. Hotels can vary dramatically in price and quality. There are some budget options, including a couple of hostels in the area, but most people do not visit Whistler as a budget travel destination. It's usually an expensive vacation, but few would argue that it isn't worth the cost.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.
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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesWhistler Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Whistler $146
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in Whistler is $146. 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 Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Whistler $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Whistler? 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 Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Whistler $20
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 Whistler
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Whistler:
- Private Transfer from Richmond BC to Whistler: $684
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Downtown Vancouver: $560
- Vancouver Airport Private Transfer to Whistler: $133
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler 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 $62Whistler $52
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
Typical Food Prices in Whistler
Some typical examples of dining costs in Whistler are as follows:
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Coffee at Starbucks$12
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Tim Hortons Breakfast$12
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Coffee at Timmy's$3.63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whistler
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Whistler.
- Finer Things: 4-Course Dinner Tour in Whistler: $121
- Finer Things Dinner Tour in Whistler: $155
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Whistler $78
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Whistler
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Whistler are as follows:
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Driving Range$15
Tours and Activities in Whistler
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Whistler are as follows:
- 2 Hour Late Afternoon Winter Zipline Adventure: $124
- 2 Hour Wilderness Adventure Snowmobile Tour in Whistler: $199
- Audain Art Museum Admission Ticket: $17
- Bear Safari 4x4 Adventure: $147
- Call of the Wild ATV Tour: $162
- Family Snowmobile Tour in Whistler: $199
- From Vancouver: Shannon Falls and Whistler Sightseeing Tour: $179
- Full Day Ice Fishing Tour: $246
- Guided Fishing Adventure in Whistler: $163
- Ice Fishing Adventure in Whistler: $163
- Mountain Breeze Tour - Mountain E Bike - Whistler Marmot Activity: $104
- One Hour Axe Throwing Guided Experience in Whistler: $33
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Whistler $8.72
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 Whistler, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Whistler much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Whistler 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 Whistler would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Whistler 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 Whistler.
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 Whistler Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Whistler?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Whistler, 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 Whistler?
Whistler 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 Whistler in the Summer?
Both Whistler 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. Also, many visitors come to Whistler in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
San Juan is much warmer than Whistler in the summer. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Whistler fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In Whistler, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the summer, San Juan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whistler. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets more rain in July than Whistler. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Whistler 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit San Juan or Whistler in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Whistler. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, most visitors come to Whistler for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, San Juan is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Whistler averages at about 11°C (51°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Whistler receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Juan usually receives less rain than Whistler. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Whistler 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit San Juan or Whistler in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Whistler. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Whistler because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Whistler can be very cold. In January, San Juan is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 25°C (77°F), and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the winter, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Whistler. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Whistler. San Juan usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Whistler 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit San Juan or Whistler in the Spring?
Both Whistler 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, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Whistler this time of year.
San Juan is much warmer than Whistler in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. In April, San Juan usually receives less rain than Whistler. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Whistler 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Whistler and San Juan
| San Juan | Whistler | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 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.