Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Vang Vieng?
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 Vang Vieng or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or San Juan? 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: Vang Vieng or San Juan?
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, and The Best Budget Tours to Laos.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $218. 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 Vang Vieng and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or San Juan? 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: Vang Vieng Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared transfer from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang city: $20
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 Vang Vieng or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Vang Vieng 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 dayVang Vieng $11San Juan $62
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.Vang Vieng $4.76San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- 1 Day Guided Tour in Cave from Vang Vieng: $175
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour in Vang Vieng: $180
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike and Blue Lagoon Tour: $79
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Vang Vieng 1-Day Cave Exploration Tour with Guide: $175
- Vang Vieng Ballooning Adventures: $260
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- Vang Vieng Day Tour - Longtail boat, Paragliding: $175
- Vang Vieng Hot Air Balloon Experience and Longtail Boat: $137
- Vang Vieng Hot Air Balloon Kayak Zipline,Blue lagoon1 Tour: $148
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11San Juan $12
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 Vang Vieng and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vang Vieng is in Asia and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and San Juan, 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 Vang Vieng or San Juan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Vang Vieng or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than San Juan. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Vang Vieng usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Vang Vieng is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vang Vieng in July average around 22°C (72°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Vang Vieng during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the autumn, Vang Vieng often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
In October, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and San Juan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Vang Vieng usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as San Juan. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Vang Vieng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than San Juan. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Vang Vieng is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vang Vieng in April average around 23°C (73°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 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.