Which place is cheaper, La Paz or San Juan del Sur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit San Juan del Sur or La Paz?
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 La Paz. 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 La Paz?
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.
La Paz
La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, has a breathtaking setting. The city is the highest national capital in the world, with an altitude ranging from about 4,058 m (13,313 ft) above sea level in El Alto, where the airport is located, to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) in the lower residential area. The dynamic and chaotic city was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. La Paz is now a fusion of architectural styles, cultures and beliefs, welcoming everyday new boutique hotels, modern shops, delicious restaurants and reinventing standing establishments. However, generally speaking, Bolivia remains more a backpacker hit than a mainstream tourist destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia, and The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia.
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San Juan del Sur Prices
Nicaragua PricesLa Paz Prices
Bolivia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan del Sur $66La Paz $56
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan del Sur is $66, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $56. 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 San Juan del Sur and La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan del Sur $21La Paz $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan del Sur $42La Paz $32
Compare Hotels in San Juan del Sur and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur or La Paz? 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: San Juan del Sur Hotel Prices and La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan del Sur $17La Paz $9.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan del Sur
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Juan del Sur:
- Granada: One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in La Paz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- La Paz Private Airport Transfer Service: $90
- Airport Transfer In_night: $47
- Bus Station Transfer Out_night : $25
- Private Departure Transfer: La Paz Hotels to El Alto International Airport: $37
- Private Transfer From Bus Station to Hotel in La Paz City : $68
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Airport in La Paz City : $68
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $52
- Private Transfer From your Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $68
- Private Transfer La Paz Airport LPB to La Paz City by MiniVan/Bus: $28
- Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $54
- Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $77
- Private Transfer from El Alto Airport to La Paz, Bolivia Hotels: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan del Sur or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz and San Juan del Sur 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
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Food Meals for one daySan Juan del Sur $32La Paz $29
Typical Food Prices in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Fruit$0.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- La Paz : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $77
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan del Sur $15La Paz $16
Tours and Activities in La Paz
For La Paz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- La Paz City Walking Tour Including Historical Streets: $5.00
- City Walking Tour in La Paz: $8.00
- City Tour plus Cable Car La Paz: $10
- La Paz Walking City tour plus Cable cars: $10
- Walking tour La Paz city: $14
- El Alto Tour: Andean Spirituality, the Chola, and Cable Car Views: $16
- Half Day Guided Tour in El Alto City: $19
- La Paz City Tour Essential: $23
- Cholet Tour - Andean Architecture and Culture - El Alto: $26
- La Paz Private Walking Tour with a Local: $30
- La Paz Guided Sightseeing Tour on Bus and Cable Car: $30
- Smells like La Paz spirit: Walking & artistic city tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan del Sur $13La Paz $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan del Sur and La Paz, we can see that San Juan del Sur is more expensive. And not only is La Paz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan del Sur is in Central America and La Paz is in South 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 La Paz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Paz 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 San Juan del Sur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Juan del Sur than you might in La Paz.
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 La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan del Sur or La Paz?
La Paz has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of San Juan del Sur and La Paz, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.