Should I Visit Miami or San Juan for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive? | Budget Your Trip (2024)

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• Which is Cheaper, Miami or San Juan? (Travel Cost Comparison)
• Which is Bigger, Miami or San Juan?
• When to Visit Miami or San Juan?

Should you visit Miami 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 Miami and San Juan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Miami or San Juan?

Miami

San Juan

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and .

Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Miami?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

• Miami Prices
  USA Prices

  San Juan Prices
  Puerto Rico Prices

• Average Daily CostPer person, per day

  Miami$206

  San Juan$192

The average daily cost (per person) in Miami is $206, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $192. 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 Miami and San Juan in more detail.

Accommodation

• AccommodationHotel or hostel for one person

  Miami$132

  San Juan$124

• AccommodationTypical double-occupancy room

  Miami$264

  San Juan$248

Compare Hotels in Miami and San Juan

Looking for a hotel in Miami 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:Miami Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

• Local TransportationTaxis, local buses, subway, etc.

  Miami$38

  San Juan$14

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Miami

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Miami are as follows:

• Car Rental for a Day

  $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Miami

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Miami:

• Transfer to West Palm Beach:$420
• From Miami Beach: Roundtrip Bimini Ferry and Hotel Transfers:$289
• From Miami Airport - Private Transfer to Hotels and Homes:$265
• From Miami - Private Transfer from Miami Hotels to Airport:$265
• Private Transfer from Miami Airport to Hotel and Vice Versa:$255
• Round Trip Motorcoach Transfer to Key West from Miami:$245
• Sawgrass Mall Shopping Day Roundtrip Transfer:$240
• Transfer from Miami Hotel or Miami Port to Fort Lauderdale Airport or Hotel:$240
• Miami Airport Executive Transfer Service:$190
• Transfer from Port Miami to Miami Airport:$190
• Private Transfer from Hotel in Miami to Port Miami.:$185
• Guided Tour with Transfer from Cruise Port to Airport:$184

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan

Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

• Arrival Private Transfer SJU Airport to Old San Juan by SUV:$125
• From Private Transfer to Ceiba Ferry Terminal:$99
• HandyCap Airport Transfer to Isla Verde, Condado or Ocean Park:$100
• HandyCap Transfer Airport to Dorado, Rio Grande or Luquillo:$270
• Luquillo Puerto Rico to/from San Juan Airport Private Transfer:$110
• Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer:$70
• Oneway Transfer- San Juan from/to Rio Grande or Loiza:$68
• Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport:$22
• Private Taxi Transfer from San Juan Airport (SJU) to Dorado PR:$110
• Private Transfer from San Juan Airport (SJU) to Ponce Cruise Port:$82
• Private Transfer from San Juan to Humacao:$80
• Private Transfer in San Juan from or to SJU Airport/Hotel/Cruises:$16

Is it cheaper to fly into Miami or San Juan?

Prices for flights to both San Juan and Miami 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

• FoodMeals for one day

  Miami$41

  San Juan$36

Typical Food Prices in Miami

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Miami:

• Lunch with Drinks (for 2)

  $45

• David's Cafe Lunch (for 1)

  $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Miami

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Miami.

• Little Havana- Family Friendly Walking Food Tour :$52
• Miami Mosaic Signature Food Tour:$55
• The Ultimate Little Havana Food Tour:$64
• Little Havana Ultimate Food Tour :$65
• South Beach Food Tour- Culinary & Art Deco & History :$67
• South Beach Food Tour:$70
• Food Tour of Miami's South Beach:$79
• Mango's Dinner and Show Ticket:$98
• Mango's Tropical Cafe Dinner & Show:$98
• Miami Dinner Party w/ Night Club Experience:$100
• Guided Small Group Little Havana Food Tour:$124
• Ukrainian cooking class in Miami:$125

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:

• From Pinones Beach & Bar Hopping Food Tour:$50
• Puerto Rican food tasting and beginner cooking Tour:$99
• City Lights & Ocean Breeze — 4 Course Elevated Dinner Experience:$155
• Old San Juan Sunset Food Tour with Drinks:$156
• Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walk and Food Tour:$159
• Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour:$170

Entertainment

• EntertainmentEntrance tickets, shows, etc.

  Miami$31

  San Juan$49

Tours and Activities in Miami

Here are a few actual costs in Miami for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

• Bayside Marketplace Miami Full Day Shopping Experience :$100
• Miami Beach Art Deco Tour with co*cktails:$75
• Miami to Key West Roundtrip Bus Tour with Narration:$48
• South Beach Top Highlights Tour with Lincoln Rd and Espanola Way:$39
• #1 Private Boat Tour and 1 Hour Free Jet Ski Rental in Miami:$349
• "Cigar Factory Tour Little Havana":$35
• 1 Hour Lady Buggy Art Tour Experience in Wynwood:$160
• 1 Hour Star Island Segway Tour:$74
• 2 HR Miami Lights & Skyline Private Night Tour for up to 6 people:$299
• 2 Hour ATV Off Road Guided Tour :$160
• 2 hrs Miami Private Boat Tour with Cooler, Ice, Bluetooth Stereo:$75
• 2-Day Key West Bus Trip from Miami & Millionaire Homes Boat Tour:$80

Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan

For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:

• Horseback Riding Tour

  $40

• Full Day Snorkeling Trip

  $100

• 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.

• Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide:$14
• Legends of Puerto Rico Haunted Walking Tour:$24
• Old Breathtaking Historic Walking Tour:$25
• Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide:$30
• History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour:$30
• Guided Tour of My Old San Juan in Spanish:$30
• Old San Juan History & Culture Guided Walking Tour:$35
• Guided Old Town Walking Tour:$35
• Urban Park Sky Bull Zipline Experience:$39
• Old San Juan Walking Tour:$39
• Old San Juan City Walking Tour:$39
• Walking tour of Oaxaca City:$41

Alcohol

• AlcoholDrinks for one day

  Miami$22

  San Juan$12

Typical Alcohol Prices in Miami

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Miami are as follows:

• Evening at a Bar

  $32

Sample the Local Flavors in Miami

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Miami:

• Miami Bar Crawl:$25
• Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl:$28
• Guided Bar Crawl with Drinks Discounts and Club Entry:$29
• Miami Bachelorette Bar Crawl:$40
• Small-Group Brewery Golf Cart Tour of Wynwood with a Local Guide:$59
• Wynwood Graffiti Brewery Golf Cart Tour:$63
• Wynwood Party Bike Bar Crawl:$64
• Wynwood Party Bike Bar Crawl:$64
• Wynwood Bar Crawl:$100

How are these travel costs calculated?

When comparing the travel costs between Miami and San Juan, we can see that Miami 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 Miami 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 Miami Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Miami or San Juan?

San Juan has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Miami. When comparing the sizes of Miami 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 Miami or San Juan?

Miami 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 Miami or San Juan in the Summer?

Both San Juan and Miami during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Miami for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.

Miami is around the same temperature as San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Miami averages around 83°F (28°C) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Miami. In the summer, Miami often gets more sunshine than San Juan. Miami gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Miami. Miami usually gets more rain in July than San Juan. Miami gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

• Summer Average TemperaturesJuly

  Miami83°F (28°C)

  San Juan28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Miami or San Juan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Miami and San Juan. The autumn months attract visitors to Miami because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Miami is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Miami in October average around 78°F (26°C), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Miami, it's very sunny this time of the year. Miami usually receives more sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Miami gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.

San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Miami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Miami usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan. Miami gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

• Autumn Average TemperaturesOctober

  Miami78°F (26°C)

  San Juan28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Miami or San Juan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Miami as well as San Juan. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Miami this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.

In January, Miami is generally cooler than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Miami average around 67°F (20°C), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Miami this time of the year. In the winter, Miami often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Miami gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.

Miami usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as San Juan. Miami gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

• Winter Average TemperaturesJanuary

  Miami67°F (20°C)

  San Juan25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Miami or San Juan in the Spring?

Both San Juan and Miami are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Miami for the beaches and the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Miami is around the same temperature as San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Miami averages around 75°F (24°C) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Miami. Miami usually receives more sunshine than San Juan during spring. Miami gets 300 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Miami usually receives more rain than San Juan. Miami gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

• Spring Average TemperaturesApril

  Miami75°F (24°C)

  San Juan26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for San Juan and Miami