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

Should you visit San Juan del Sur or Islamorada?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for San Juan del Sur and Islamorada. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: San Juan del Sur or Islamorada?

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.

Islamorada

From its thriving coral reefs to its miraculous botanical gardens, you will find adventure on both land and sea at Islamorada, Florida. Islamorada, or "Village of Islands," is located in Monroe County and holds a population of no more than 6,119. As Islamorada's village is occupied within a cluster of nearby islands, Islamorada is located on Tea Table Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Windley Key and Plantation Key in the Florida Keys. The village is relatively small, expanding to about 7.2 square miles total. Approximately an hour and a half-drive from Miami and a two hour-drive from Key West, Islamorada works swimmingly for those who seek to acquaint themselves with the tropical pleasures of the Keys.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan del Sur and Islamorada, we can see that Islamorada is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan del Sur is in Central America and Islamorada is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to San Juan del Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan del Sur and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Islamorada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Islamorada than you might in San Juan del Sur.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Juan del Sur Expensive? and Is Islamorada Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Juan del Sur or Islamorada?

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

Islamorada 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 San Juan del Sur or Islamorada in the Summer?

Both Islamorada and San Juan del Sur during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Islamorada for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, San Juan del Sur is generally around the same temperature as Islamorada. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 27°C (81°F), and Islamorada fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

In Islamorada, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, San Juan del Sur often gets less sunshine than Islamorada. San Juan del Sur gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Islamorada receives 328 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan del Sur. San Juan del Sur usually gets more rain in July than Islamorada. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Islamorada receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan del Sur and Islamorada. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Islamorada because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Islamorada in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Islamorada fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamorada this time of the year. San Juan del Sur usually receives less sunshine than Islamorada during autumn. San Juan del Sur gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Islamorada receives 258 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Islamorada receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan del Sur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Juan del Sur usually receives more rain than Islamorada. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Islamorada receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Islamorada is June to November.

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

The winter brings many poeple to San Juan del Sur as well as Islamorada. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Islamorada this time of year.

In the winter, San Juan del Sur is a little warmer than Islamorada. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan del Sur in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Islamorada averages at about 70°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamorada. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan del Sur this time of the year. In the winter, San Juan del Sur often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Islamorada. San Juan del Sur gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Islamorada receives 252 hours of full sun.

San Juan del Sur usually gets less rain in January than Islamorada. San Juan del Sur gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Islamorada receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Islamorada and San Juan del Sur are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Islamorada for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, San Juan del Sur is generally a little warmer than Islamorada. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 29°C (84°F), and Islamorada fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Islamorada. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan del Sur. San Juan del Sur usually receives less sunshine than Islamorada during spring. San Juan del Sur gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Islamorada receives 326 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, San Juan del Sur usually receives less rain than Islamorada. San Juan del Sur gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Islamorada receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Islamorada.

Typical Weather for Islamorada and San Juan del Sur