Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or Buzios?
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 Buzios or San Juan del Sur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Buzios 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: Buzios or San Juan del Sur?
Buzios
Initially a fishing village, Armação dos Buzios is a small beach resort town about three hours from Rio de Janeiro by bus. Buzios is a common weekend getaway destination for Cariocas. With 23 beaches, visitors from all over come to swim, snorkel, surf and enjoy sun and sand.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro, The Best 3-Day Tours from Foz Do Iguacu, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Buzios Prices
Brazil PricesSan Juan del Sur Prices
Nicaragua Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuzios $96San Juan del Sur $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Buzios is $96, while the average daily cost in San Juan del Sur is $72. 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 Buzios and San Juan del Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuzios $38San Juan del Sur $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuzios $76San Juan del Sur $52
Compare Hotels in Buzios and San Juan del Sur
Looking for a hotel in Buzios or San Juan del Sur? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buzios $19San Juan del Sur $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buzios
Also for Buzios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Departure Transfer: $45
- Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Private Transfer: $45
- Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $90
- Private Transfer from Buzios Port to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB): $117
- Private Transfer from Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Buzios Port: $117
- Private Transfer from GIG Airport to City Buzios in Rio: $230
- Private transfer Buzios in Rio to the SDU Airport: $191
- Tour in Buzios City Tour, Lunch and Transfer: $60
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Buzios or San Juan del Sur?
Prices for flights to both San Juan del Sur and Buzios 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 dayBuzios $42San Juan del Sur $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Juan del Sur
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Juan del Sur.
- Mombacho Volcano Adventure Tour with Dinner: $235
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buzios $27San Juan del Sur $15
Tours and Activities in Buzios
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Buzios.
- Tour of the most beautiful beaches and islands of Buzios by Buziana Tour: $12
- Two Floor Boat Tour with Toboágua Arraial do Cabo: $14
- Boat Tour Open Bar A Floor Arraial do Cabo: $14
- Escuna Tour in Búzios Viva Water: $16
- Stand up paddle experience: $16
- Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $20
- Tour of Bugre in Arraial (Buggy): $21
- Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo: $24
- Catamaran Boat Tour in Búzios: $31
- Half-Day Schooner Sightseeing Trip in Buzios Peninsula Beaches: $34
- Tour in Boat Tour in Buzios: $38
- 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $39
Tours and Activities in San Juan del Sur
Here are a few actual costs in San Juan del Sur for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA: $145
- Catamaran Cruise with Meals in San Juan del Sur: $220
- Gran Nelson Xtreme Zipline Adventure: $45
- Horse Riding Adventure: $295
- Kayak and Paddle Boarding Adventure in San Juan del Sur: $105
- La Flor Beach Natural Reserve Bus Tour: $80
- Masaya Volcano Tour in Nicaragua: $130
- Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur: $159
- Private Tour to Granada Colonial City and 365 Islets: $283
- Relaxed Coastal Boat Tour in San Juan del Sur: $250
- SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $150
- San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour: $201
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuzios $18San Juan del Sur $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buzios and San Juan del Sur, we can see that Buzios is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Buzios is in South America and San Juan del Sur is in Central 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 Buzios would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Buzios 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 Buzios Expensive? and Is San Juan del Sur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buzios or San Juan del Sur?
Buzios has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of Buzios 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.
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.