How Much Does San Juan Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
San Juan is a vibrant Caribbean hub where colonial Spanish history meets modern American-style convenience. While it is more affordable than some exclusive private islands, it is generally more expensive than destinations like the Dominican Republic or Mexico due to the use of the US dollar. Visitors should anticipate a daily budget range between $85 for budget-conscious travelers and $777 for luxury stays. Costs are heavily influenced by the high price of accommodation in tourist zones and the common addition of resort fees and service charges. The city offers a unique blend of free historical wandering and high-end beachfront dining, making it a versatile but occasionally pricey tropical destination.
Is San Juan expensive to visit?
San Juan is moderately expensive for the Caribbean—expect to spend between $85 and $777 per day depending on whether you choose local guesthouses or luxury beachfront resorts.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in San Juan
$85
per person /day
$274
per person /day
$777
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $254 | $823 | $2,332 |
| 5-Day Trip | $424 | $1,370 | $3,886 |
| 7-Day Trip | $593 | $1,919 | $5,441 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to maintain a 20% budget buffer to account for the 11.5% sales tax (IVU) and the $29–$59 daily resort fees common at beachfront hotels. This also covers the 18–20% service charges that are frequently added automatically to restaurant bills in tourist areas.
How Does It Compare?
See how San Juan stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in San Juan
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant Expect to pay ~$19 for a casual local lunch. | $19 |
| Local Beer (Medalla) at a Bar Happy hours often offer 2-for-1 deals for ~$4.47. | $4.48 |
| Cup of Coffee (Café con Leche) A traditional local coffee costs about ~$3.74. | $3.74 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tren Urbano One-Way Fare Covers the metro line from Santurce to Bayamón. Tourists rarely use it as it misses Old San Juan. | $1.49 |
| Uber from Airport to Old San Juan Cheaper than taxis (which are flat-rate). Costs roughly ~$22. | $22 |
| Flat-Rate Taxi (Airport to Zone 4 - Condado) Total usually reaches ~$19 including the ~$1 fuel surcharge and ~$1 per bag fee. | $19 |
| Ceiba to Culebra Ferry (Non-Resident) The ~$4 ticket sells out weeks in advance; book online early. | $3.99 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed at Casa Santurce Centrally located in Santurce. Pre-verified price of ~$30 for a private room is an excellent budget choice. | $30 |
| Mid-range Hotel (Condado/Old San Juan) Boutique hotels in Old San Juan often charge ~$241–$306 per night during high season. | $244 |
| Luxury Beach Resort (Fairmont El San Juan) Expect to pay ~$577 per night before the daily resort fee of ~$49. | $578 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| National Historic Site Entrance (Forts) Valid for both El Morro and San Cristóbal. Costs ~$9.97 per person. | $9.97 |
| Casa Bacardí Legacy Tour Includes a welcome cocktail and history tour for ~$40. | $40 |
| Bioluminescent Bay Tour (Fajardo) Tours depart at night. Roughly ~$65 per person. | $65 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Claro Prepaid Monthly Plan (39GB) Best value for longer stays; roughly ~$39 per month. | $39 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape ranges from casual kiosks to world-class tasting menus, with a simple meal at an inexpensive restaurant costing around $19. Coffee culture is prominent, with a traditional café con leche typically priced at $3.74, while local Medalla beers at bars average $4.48.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Lote 23
$12–$18Santurce · Food court
Try the Pernil (roasted pork) for ~$14. Great outdoor atmosphere.
El Jibarito
$15–$25Old San Juan · Local chain
The most authentic and affordable mofongo in the colonial district for ~$16.
Pinky's West
$9.97–$16Condado · Bakery
Best budget breakfast in Condado; a massive 'Surfer Sandwich' is ~$13.
Metropol Restaurant
$14–$22Isla Verde · Local chain
Large portions; one meal can easily be shared by two people to save ~$18.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Getting around is most efficient via Uber, which costs approximately $22 from the airport to Old San Juan, avoiding the higher flat-rate taxi fees of ~$19 to closer zones. While the Tren Urbano offers a cheap $1.49 fare, it is largely impractical for tourists as it does not service the main historical or beach districts.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging prices vary wildly from a $30 dorm bed at Casa Santurce to $578 for a luxury room at the Fairmont El San Juan. Mid-range boutique hotels in districts like Condado or Old San Juan typically average around $244 per night.
Accommodation Budget in San Juan
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase ferry tickets from Ceiba to Culebra online weeks in advance to secure the $3.99 non-resident rate.
- 2 Visit the San Juan National Historic Site forts on the same day; the $9.97 entrance fee grants access to both El Morro and San Cristóbal.
- 3 Look for 'Mesones Gastronómicos,' which are government-certified restaurants offering high-quality local cuisine at more regulated prices.
- 4 Dine at Lote 23 in Santurce, a trendy outdoor food park where local vendors offer gourmet options at lower prices than Condado sit-down restaurants.
- 5 Avoid the $49 daily resort fees by booking small guesthouses or 'posadas' in the Ocean Park neighborhood instead of large Isla Verde resorts.
- 6 Take the public ferry from Pier 2 in Old San Juan to Cataño for a small fee to reach the Casa Bacardí area rather than booking an expensive private shuttle.
- 7 Drink local Medalla beer instead of imported craft brands, especially during happy hours when prices can drop to $4.48 for two bottles.
- 8 Shop at SuperMax or Econo supermarkets for beach snacks and bottled water to avoid the high markup at hotel gift shops.
- 9 Eat a 'plato del día' (daily special) at local spots like El Jibarito in Old San Juan for a filling lunch under $20.
- 10 Use Uber for all travel between Santurce, Condado, and Old San Juan to avoid the higher flat-rate fees charged by traditional tourist taxis.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
+30-50%
Aug, Sep, Oct
-25-40%
May, Jun, Nov
The best value is May or November, avoiding hurricane peak (September) while still enjoying beach weather ~28°C (82°F).
Events to Watch
- ● San Sebastian Street Festival (Late Jan): +100% hotel prices in OSJ
- ● Easter Week: Significant crowds and peak airline pricing
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Walking the Paseo de la Princesa, a scenic 19th-century promenade along the city walls.
- 2 Flying kites on the massive green esplanade in front of El Castillo San Felipe del Morro.
- 3 Visiting the Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery to view the stunning marble tombs overlooking the Atlantic.
- 4 Swimming at Ocean Park Beach, which is popular with locals and free to the public.
- 5 Passing through the San Juan Gate (Puerta de San Juan), the traditional entrance to the city from the harbor.
- 6 Exploring the 'Santurce Es Ley' street art murals located around Calle Cerra.
- 7 Attending the Sunset Rhythms (Rumberos) performances often held at Plaza de Armas.
- 8 Walking through the Calle de la Fortaleza to see the seasonal overhead art installations.
- 9 Hiking the nature trails through the Bosque Estatal de Piñones mangroves.
- 10 Relaxing at Playita del Condado, a small, calm beach sheltered from heavy surf.
- 11 Visiting the Plaza de la Rogativa for panoramic views of the San Juan Bay.
- 12 Browsing the local artisan markets at Plaza Darsenas near the waterfront.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Marmalade Tasting Menu
Widely considered the best dining experience in the Caribbean. Their white bean soup is legendary.
Private Sunset Sail (Old San Juan)
Seeing El Morro from the water at sunset is spectacular. Price covers up to 6 people.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in San Juan
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from San Juan and what they cost
El Yunque National Forest
$85 by Guided Van/Bus
Free
$110
Culebra Island (Flamenco Beach)
$7.97 by Ferry
$1.99
$95
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
US Dollar (USD)
No
Everywhere including street food markets and taxis
US customs apply: 15-20% in restaurants. For a drink at the bar, ~$1.18 is standard. Porterage is ~$2.35–$4.71 per bag.
ATMs are abundant. Use Banco Popular (local leader) for reliability. Avoid independent 'generic' ATMs which charge ~$4.94 per withdrawal.
Connectivity
eSIM: $11–$18 for 5GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $39 for 39GB (Claro monthly)
WiFi: Excellent in Old San Juan and all hotel lobbies/cafés.
Airalo eSIM is the easiest for short trips, but a local Claro SIM (~$39) is better for heavy data users.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for San Juan.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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Best Time to Visit
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Things to Do
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Where to Stay
Best neighborhoods and hotel recommendations
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Complete Cost Guide
Full budget and cost breakdown