Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Washington?
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 Washington or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Washington and San Juan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Washington or San Juan?
Washington
Washington, DC is the capital city of the United States of America. It is also a city rich in history and culture. The city dates back to 1791 when the states of Maryland and Virginia donated the land to create the capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land that was ceded by Virginia and in 1871 it created a single municipal government with the remaining area. Today, Washington, DC has a population of over 600,000 people. The metropolitan area includes suburbs in Maryland and Virginia and has a population of about 5.8 million.
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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Washington Prices
USA PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWashington $226San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Washington is $226, 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 Washington and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWashington $113San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWashington $226San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Washington and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Washington 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: Washington Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Washington $47San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Washington
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:
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Metro Day Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Washington
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Washington DC to Dulles or vice versa : $300
- Private Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) transfer Round trip: $300
- Nation’s Capital Guided Tours and Airport Transfers : $280
- Washington Airport (IAD) to Washington RoundTrip Private Transfer: $262
- Private Transfer to or from Springfield VA and Dulles Airport: $240
- Private Transfer to or from Herndon and Ronald Reagan National Airport: $235
- Departure Private Transfer: Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Luxury Car: $232
- Private transfer to or form Vienna and Dulles International Airport: $230
- Private Transfer To or From Lorton and Ronald Reagan National Airport: $205
- Private transfer to or from Herndon and Dulles International Airport: $205
- Arrival Private Transfer: National Airport DCA to Washington in Luxury Car: $203
- Arrival Transfer from Dulles Airport IAD to Washington DC by SUV: $188
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 Washington or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Washington 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 dayWashington $66San Juan $62
Typical Food Prices in Washington
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:
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Water$2.00
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Snacks on Monuments Tour$6.15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Washington
For Washington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- DC: City Cruises Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $60
- DC: City Cruises Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $71
- Little Ethiopia Food Tour: $71
- Adams Morgan Food Tour: $78
- Dupont Circle Food Tour: $84
- Washington D.C: Acquired Taste Food Tour in Georgetown: $95
- DC: Eastern Market Eats Food Tour (5 Food Stops + Dessert): $99
- Washington D.C.: Georgetown Guided Secret Food Tour: $104
- City Cruises Washington DC: Signature Dinner Cruise: $121
- City Cruises Washington DC: Premier Dinner Cruise: $127
- Eastern Market Neighborhood Food Tour (5 Food Stops + Dessert): $129
- Washington D.C.: Taste of Georgetown Walking Food Tour: $129
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.Washington $24San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Washington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
- Run the Washington DC Monuments with a Local: Group Running Tour: $53
- See DC In A Day: Guided Small Group Ultimate Day Tour : $99
- "Drunk Shakespeare" Live Show Ticket at DC's Sage Theatre: $49
- 2 Hour Guided Bike Tour of Capitol Hill: $52
- 2-Day Best of Niagara Falls (US Side) Tour from Washington D.C.: $49
- 2-Hour Arlington Cemetery Guided Walking Tour : $75
- 2-Hour National Mall Walking Tour from Washington DC: $25
- 3-Hour Small Group Memorial Tour in Washington, D.C.: $59
- 4-Hr DC Monuments Small Group Sightseeing Guided Tour: $79
- Admission & Guided Tour of Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria: $99
- African American Tour Of Annapolis From Washington DC: $180
- Air & Space Museum Semi-Private Tour with Reserved Tickets: $103
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 dayWashington $19San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Washington
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
- Epic Washington DC Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- Washington DC: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- DC Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl By US Ghost Adventures: $36
- Washington, D.C.: History Tour Pub Crawl: $56
- DC Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- DC: Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $105
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 comparing the travel costs between Washington and San Juan, we can see that Washington 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 Washington is in North America and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Washington Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Washington or San Juan?
Washington has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Washington 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 Washington or San Juan?
Washington 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 Washington or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Washington are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Washington for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Washington is around the same temperature as San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Washington averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Washington. Washington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during summer. Washington gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Washington usually receives less rain than San Juan. Washington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyWashington 79°F (26°C)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Washington or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Washington during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Washington because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In the autumn, Washington is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Washington in October average around 60°F (15°C), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Washington often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Washington gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Washington usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. Washington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberWashington 60°F (15°C)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Washington or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Washington and San Juan. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Washington this time of year. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Washington in the winter. In January, Washington is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Washington average around 35°F (1°C), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Washington usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Washington gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Washington usually receives more rain than San Juan. Washington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryWashington 35°F (1°C)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Washington or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Washington as well as San Juan. Many travelers come to Washington for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Washington is much colder than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Washington averages around 56°F (14°C) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Washington this time of the year. In the spring, Washington often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Washington gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
Washington usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as San Juan. Washington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilWashington 56°F (14°C)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Washington
| Washington | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 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.