Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or Cabarete?
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 Cabarete or San Juan del Sur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cabarete or San Juan del Sur, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Cabarete or San Juan del Sur?
Cabarete
Nestled on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Cabarete is a vibrant beach town known for its stunning coastline, world-class water sports, and lively nightlife. Originally a small fishing village, Cabarete has transformed into a hub for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation.
Traveling to Cabarete on a budget is entirely feasible with a bit of planning. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to affordable hotels and guesthouses. Eating on a budget is easy in Cabarete, with numerous local eateries and street vendors serving delicious Dominican dishes at reasonable prices. Look for "comedores," small local restaurants where you can enjoy meals like "la bandera" (rice, beans, and meat) for under $5. Public transportation in Cabarete is both affordable and convenient. The local "guaguas" (minibuses) and "motoconchos" (motorcycle taxis) are inexpensive ways to get around.
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 Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Cabarete Prices
Dominican Republic PricesSan Juan del Sur Prices
Nicaragua Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCabarete $170San Juan del Sur $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Cabarete is $170, while the average daily cost in San Juan del Sur is $66. 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 Cabarete and San Juan del Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCabarete $70San Juan del Sur $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCabarete $140San Juan del Sur $42
Compare Hotels in Cabarete and San Juan del Sur
Looking for a hotel in Cabarete 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: Cabarete Hotel Prices and San Juan del Sur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cabarete $39San Juan del Sur $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabarete
Also for Cabarete, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Puerto Plata -Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Puerto Plata Roundtrip Private Transfer: $45
- Transfers from Cabarete to Santiago Airport: $50
- Transfers from Jarabacoa to cabarete, sosua: $75
- Transfers from Samana Airport to cabarete, sosua: $250
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 Cabarete or San Juan del Sur?
Prices for flights to both San Juan del Sur and Cabarete 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 dayCabarete $68San Juan del Sur $32
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cabarete $50San Juan del Sur $15
Tours and Activities in Cabarete
For Cabarete, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Deep Caves in Cabarete with Guided Tour and Swimming: $60
- 27 Waterfalls Damajagua Tour from Cabarete Sosua & Puerto Plata: $79
- Snorkeling Tour & Sosua Beach Day: $81
- Full-Day Tour to Punta Rucia and Cayo Arena with Snorkeling: $89
- Monkeyland and Zipline Adventure from Puerto Plata: $90
- Paradise Island Cruise Snorkeling Excursion: $95
- 4-Wheel Adventure: $102
- Puerto Plata Triple Adventure: $120
- 4 Wheel Adventure: $128
- 10-Hour Guided Tour of Samana and Bacardi Island Los Haitises: $130
- Super Buggy Tour in Puerto Plata Shore/hotel + Lunch: $161
- Scuba Diving tour in puerto plata Hotel/Cruise: $189
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCabarete $16San Juan del Sur $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cabarete and San Juan del Sur, we can see that Cabarete is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cabarete is in Caribbean Islands 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 Cabarete would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cabarete 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 Cabarete Expensive? and Is San Juan del Sur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cabarete or San Juan del Sur?
San Juan del Sur has a larger population, and is about 90% larger than the population of Cabarete. When comparing the sizes of Cabarete 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.