Updated October 16, 2026. Lodging averages come from Discover Puerto Rico's 2026 research reports, which use STR hotel data and AirDNA rental data. Taxes, fees and fares come from the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and the room-tax law it enforces, the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, Puerto Rico Ferry and the 2026 Metropistas toll table. Prices move, so use the sample budgets as a starting point.
Short answer: lodging is the biggest cost. From January through July 2026, Puerto Rico hotels averaged about $332 a night and vacation rentals about $206, before tax. Our worked mid-range week for two comes to roughly $4,200–$4,450 before flights. A budget version with a modest rental and local food is closer to $2,050–$2,200.
What things cost (2026)
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel room, island average | ~$332/night (Jan–Jul 2026) | January 2026 alone: $353 |
| Vacation rental, average | ~$206/night (Jan–Jul 2026) | All of 2025: $198 |
| Hotel room in a summer month | ~$267/night (July 2026) | Rentals that month: $207 |
| Hotel room tax | 9% at most hotels | 11% at casino hotels; 7% at paradores and short-term rentals |
| El Morro + San Cristóbal | $10 per person 16 and older, good 24 hours | Age 15 and under free; cards only, no cash |
| El Yunque (PR-191 corridor) | Free, no reservation | Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Ferry from Ceiba, one way, ages 13–59 | $2.25 to Culebra, $2.00 to Vieques | Ages 4–12 and 60–74: $1 |
| Tolls, San Juan–Fajardo (PR-66) | $1.70 + $1.10 | Electronic AutoExpreso |
No passport or currency exchange for U.S. travelers. U.S. citizens flying in from the mainland don't need a passport, and prices are in U.S. dollars. See is Puerto Rico part of the U.S.? and what currency Puerto Rico uses.
Sample budgets (per week, before flights)
These are worked examples, not averages. Swap in your own numbers.
| Budget (2 people) | Mid-range (2 people) | Family of 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging, 7 nights | Rental at ~$150 + 7% tax ≈ $1,125 | Hotel at ~$300 + 9% tax ≈ $2,290 | Rental at ~$250 + 7% tax ≈ $1,875 |
| Rental car + gas, 7 days | ~$450–600 | ~$450–600 | ~$550–700 (bigger car) |
| Food | ~$60/day ≈ $420 | ~$150/day ≈ $1,050 | ~$180/day ≈ $1,260 |
| Activities | Forts, El Yunque, ferry day ≈ $60 | + bio bay kayak and a boat trip ≈ $400–500 | ≈ $500–700 |
| Total | ≈ $2,050–2,200 | ≈ $4,200–4,450 | ≈ $4,200–4,550 |
The nightly rates in the lodging row, plus the car, food and activity lines, are our planning assumptions, not sourced averages. The mid-range hotel rate sits a little under the 2026 island average. Check live quotes before you book.
When it's cheapest
Hotel prices follow the seasons. Hotels averaged $353 a night in January 2026 and $267 in July 2026. Winter, roughly December to April, is peak season for visitors from the mainland. Summer and fall cost less, but the Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30. If you travel then, buy travel insurance and book flexible rates. Our guide to the best times to visit has the details.
Ways to save
- Stay in a rental or guesthouse instead of a resort. From January to July 2026, rentals averaged $206 a night against $332 for hotels.
- Pick free sights: El Yunque's PR-191 corridor, public beaches, and Old San Juan's streets. See free things to do.
- Eat local: roadside kiosks, lechoneras and food trucks cost far less than hotel restaurants. Try our Puerto Rican street food guide.
- Take the public ferry, not a charter, to the islands: $2.25 per adult each way to Culebra and $2.00 to Vieques. Coolers, chairs and surfboards need their own tickets.
- Camp: public campgrounds like Flamenco on Culebra cost a fraction of a hotel. See camping in Puerto Rico.
- Watch hidden costs: resort fees, parking, room tax and toll charges from rental companies.
Plan the rest
- Places to stay in Puerto Rico and renting a car
- Is Puerto Rico safe?
- How to get to Culebra and Flamenco Beach
FAQ
How much is a week in Puerto Rico? For two people, our examples come to about $2,050–$2,200 on a tight budget and $4,200–$4,450 mid-range, before flights. Lodging is the biggest line.
What is the average hotel price in Puerto Rico? About $332 a night across the island from January to July 2026, according to Discover Puerto Rico's STR figures. Vacation rentals averaged about $206.
Do I need a passport to visit Puerto Rico? Not if you're a U.S. citizen traveling from the U.S. mainland. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory.
What is the cheapest time to visit Puerto Rico? Summer and fall usually have lower hotel rates than winter. July 2026 averaged $267 a night, against $353 in January. Hurricane season runs June to November.
What taxes are added to hotel bills? A 9% room tax at most hotels, 11% at hotels with casinos, and 7% at paradores and short-term rentals.
Originally published on PuertoRico.com (2022-10-10); last updated 2026-10-16.