Is San Juan del Sur expensive to visit?
In San Juan del Sur, budget travelers spend $25 (C$935) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $66 (C$2,438) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $178 (C$6,577) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to San Juan del Sur.
San Juan del Sur is a smaller destination that attracts a range of visitors, each with distinct travel styles, spending habits, and budgetary requirements. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
San Juan del Sur can certainly rack up expenses, but there are strategies to minimize costs, including looking for discounts and coupons.
Within Central America, San Juan del Sur is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Central America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as David, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Puerto Viejo.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is San Juan del Sur Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to San Juan del Sur?
The average San Juan del Sur trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these San Juan del Sur travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to San Juan del Sur cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Setting realistic expectations for your travel budget is important. Many people think they can visit San Juan del Sur on a tight budget, but most travelers aren't comfortable with a low "shoestring" budget. Think about what you enjoy during your vacations and how you typically travel. Do you prefer resorts, vacation rentals, or hostels? Do you want to visit museums, sights, and participate in activities? Is dining out a priority? These factors will shape both your budget and your itinerary.
The Truth on Budget Travel
You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $25 that backpackers often get by on.
Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.
Fortunately, there are plenty of hostels available in San Juan del Sur, such as Hola Ola Hostel, Surf Town Hostel, and Hostel Pachamama San Juan Del Sur. In these hostels, you can discover cheap dorm accommodations and a great social atmosphere, though amenities may be few.
Do You Identify as an Average Traveler?
Couples and families on a fun trip will likely choose a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at popular dining spots, and visit significant museums and attractions that have entry fees. Most people who travel to San Juan del Sur will want to experience its major attractions, museums, and historical landmarks. After all, most activities are not free. So, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be about $66 per person, per day.
Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?
If you're looking for an all encompassing trip with every amenity and a higher level of service, then prepare yourself for a price tag closer to $178 per day. To stay in a nicer hotel, eat at award winning restaurants, splurge on extravagant excursions, and take taxis or private drivers to get around the destination, you'll need to be prepared for a more "luxury" set of prices.
Accommodation Budget in San Juan del Sur
The prices for hotels in San Juan del Sur can really vary, especially during peak travel season. Off-season, the average hotel room costs $102, while during peak season, that average price jumps to around $190. With budget accommodations starting at $33 and luxury hotels peaking at $1,039, there are options for every traveler. Dorm-style hostels are often the cheapest. Traveling during the low season or booking early can help you save.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in San Juan del Sur for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $42 (C$1,534). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $21 (C$767) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in San Juan del Sur include:
- El Jardin starting at $64
- Villas de Palermo Hotel and Resort starting at $163
- El Mirador Ecologico Ometepe starting at $58
- Finca Montania Sagrada starting at $41
Traveling during the shoulder or low season (instead of ) means you'll get lower prices on accommodations and have fewer crowds to deal with.
Transportation Budget in San Juan del Sur
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $17 (C$644) per person, per day, on local transportation in San Juan del Sur. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in San Juan del Sur is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$17
C$644
There are a variety of bus and shuttle services that travel to San Juan del Sur from Rivas. It's easy to catch a ride to Rivas from most towns in the area. There is also a direct bus to San Juan del Sur from Managua. Another option is to take a taxi from Rivas. It'll take you about an hour and you can catch a colectivo taxi for about 50 cordobas per person. It is likely the driver will wait until the vehicle is full before leaving, so if you see an almost full car, go for that one. The most popular place to pick up a colectivo is at the bus terminal in Rivas.
Once you're in San Juan del Sur, the best way to make your way around town is to walk. Although there are no shortage of taxis that will eagerly offer you their service, walking is possible to most destinations. If you want to head to a more distant beach, inquire at your hotel, as many hotels offer a shuttle service. Another option is to rent an ATV or motorcycle, which can be fun, but do realize that most of the nearby roads are dirt and in poor condition.
A few of the typical transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Granada: One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur for $39 details
How much does it cost to go to San Juan del Sur? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in San Juan del Sur will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in San Juan del Sur
Cuisine often serves as a primary motivation for travel, so make sure to indulge in the local dishes.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in San Juan del Sur can vary significantly, the average cost of food in San Juan del Sur is $32 (C$1,170) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$32
C$1,170
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in San Juan del Sur is around $32 (C$1170) per person, with previous travelers spending from $12 to $89. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in San Juan del Sur are as follows:
- Breakfast: $3 to $10
- Lunch: $5 to $13
- Dinner: $10 to $22
- Coffee: $3
- Fast Food or Street Food: $5
Perhaps the best place to enjoy a good meal in San Juan del Sur is along the waterfront where you'll find a series of cafes and restaurants. Many of these restaurants serve fresh seafood, which is highly recommended. You can also head to the market to pick up a quick and cheap breakfast that will save you a few dollars.
Many accommodations feature breakfast in their rates, while some may charge additional fees for it. The cost and quality can vary significantly from one hotel to another. Knowing this information ahead of time helps you decide if you need to spend extra money. A tasty hotel buffet could be worth the expense, or a nearby bakery or cafe might offer a more affordable choice.
Pack a water bottle to save on drinks. It's also a way to help protect the environment.
When planning a tour, don't forget to look into which meals are covered. You may be responsible for some of your own food, which could impact your budget significantly.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in San Juan del Sur
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in San Juan del Sur typically cost an average of $15 (C$552) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$15
C$552
While most people come to San Juan del Sur for the beaches and the world class surfing, the town itself has a handful of sights worth visiting. Many of the houses are brightly colored and the waterfront has many small boats that are anchored there, making for a very picturesque scene. You can do a twenty minute hike to the cross that overlooks the harbor and you'll be rewarded with views of the area. From there you can also pick up a zipline and canopy tour through the treetops where you'll see spider monkeys and other wildlife that is native to the area. Also make sure you head out of town to the more remote and isolated beaches, which can be quite beautiful and dramatic.
San Juan del Sur is known for its laid back atmosphere. Surfing is the most obvious activity and there are many places where you can enjoy excellent waves. Other activities in the area include horseback riding, zip-line canopy tours, cycling, yoga retreats, and even paintball. There are also several Spanish schools where you can learn or improve your Spanish skills.
If you're looking for a book to read while you relax on the beach, there are several small bookstores and a library in the town as well.
San Juan del Sur also has a great nightlife with a decent number of bars for a town of its size. Make sure you try Flor De Cana.
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
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.