A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Florianopolis vs. San Juan del Sur for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Florianopolis or San Juan del Sur?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Florianopolis or San Juan del Sur? 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: Florianopolis or San Juan del Sur?

Florianopolis

With a population of almost 500,000, Florianopolis is the capital city of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The city is split between mainland Brazil and Santa Catarina Island.

Florianopolis has grown in popularity with tourists recently because of its wonderful scenery, beautiful beaches, and fascinating culture. Many Brazilians have also moved here, leaving behind the big cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Florianopolis has a warm humid subtropical climate. There are summer, winter, spring and fall seasons. Frosts are rare but do occur occasionally. Highs during the warmest months are usually in the high 70s Fahrenheit. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year and there is no distinct dry season.

San Juan del Sur

San Juan del Sur is a popular port destination on the Pacific coast of southwest Nicaragua. The town was once a quaint fishing village but has grown into a tourist town with activities for visitors that include surfing, fishing, and, of course, partying. The town has a population of just over 15,000, most of whom are either fishermen or involved in the tourism industry. There is also a large expat community from the United States, Canada, and Europe.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.

When comparing the travel costs between Florianopolis and San Juan del Sur, we can see that Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis is in South America and San Juan del Sur is in Central America, 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 Florianopolis Expensive? and Is San Juan del Sur Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Florianopolis or San Juan del Sur?

Florianopolis has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of Florianopolis and San Juan del Sur, 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 Florianopolis or San Juan del Sur?

Florianopolis has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Juan del Sur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Florianopolis or San Juan del Sur in the Summer?

Both San Juan del Sur and Florianopolis during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Florianopolis for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round.

Florianopolis is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur in the summer. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 25°C (76°F) in January, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in July.

In the summer, Florianopolis often gets more sunshine than San Juan del Surin July. Florianopolis gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 175 hours of full sun.

San Juan del Sur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Florianopolis. Florianopolis usually gets more rain in January than San Juan del Surin July. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Florianopolis or San Juan del Sur in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and San Juan del Sur. The autumn months attract visitors to Florianopolis because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Florianopolis is cooler than San Juan del Sur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Florianopolis in April average around 22°C (71°F), and San Juan del Sur averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.

Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than San Juan del Sur during autumn. Florianopolis gets 179 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

San Juan del Sur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Florianopolis usually receives less rain than San Juan del Surin October. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Florianopolis or San Juan del Sur in the Winter?

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

In July, Florianopolis is generally much colder than San Juan del Surin January. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 17°C (62°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan del Sur. In the winter, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than San Juan del Surin January. Florianopolis gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 244 hours of full sun.

Florianopolis usually gets more rain in July than San Juan del Surin January. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Florianopolis or San Juan del Sur in the Spring?

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

Florianopolis is cooler than San Juan del Sur in the spring. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in San Juan del Sur. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than San Juan del Sur during spring. Florianopolis gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Florianopolis. In October, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than San Juan del Surin April. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Juan del Sur and Florianopolis