Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or Cozumel?
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 Cozumel or San Juan del Sur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cozumel and San Juan del Sur can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cozumel or San Juan del Sur?
Cozumel
Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Cozumel Prices
Mexico PricesSan Juan del Sur Prices
Nicaragua Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCozumel $122San Juan del Sur $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Cozumel is $122, 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 Cozumel and San Juan del Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCozumel $63San Juan del Sur $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCozumel $126San Juan del Sur $42
Compare Hotels in Cozumel and San Juan del Sur
Looking for a hotel in Cozumel 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: Cozumel Hotel Prices and San Juan del Sur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cozumel $21San Juan del Sur $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel
Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- ATV Adventure to Jade Cavern with transfer: $83
- ATV tour to jade cavern with transfer (single or double): $55
- Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $154
- Cozumel Jungle ATV Tour Adventure and Caverns with transfer: $65
- Cozumel Mayan Experience And Beach Getaway with Transfer: $55
- Shared Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $27
- Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel -Arrival Private Transfer: $51
- Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $77
- Private One Way Transfer from Cozumel Airport to Cozumel: $67
- Private One Way Transfer from Cozumel to Cozumel Airport: $67
- Private Transfer from Cozumel Port to Cozumel Airport (CZM): $93
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 Cozumel or San Juan del Sur?
Prices for flights to both San Juan del Sur and Cozumel 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 dayCozumel $37San Juan del Sur $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel
For Cozumel, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Under the Stars Twilight Snorkel and Seaside Dinner at Money Bar: $90
- Cozumel Food Tour: $90
- Cozumel Food Tour: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cozumel $40San Juan del Sur $15
Tours and Activities in Cozumel
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.
- Skip the Line: Admission Ticket to El Cedral Town and Mayan Temple: $16
- Transparent Boat Tour in See Marine Life Up Close: $19
- Crystal Boat Trip and Snorkeling Tour from Cozumel: $19
- Crystal-clear Boat trip & Snorkeling tour: $19
- Tequila History and Tasting Experience and Unlimited Beach Break: $25
- El Cielo Snorkeling Adventure in Cozumel: $28
- Cozumel’s Mayan Journey: Dance, Rituals, and Tasting Tour: $29
- Cozumel Snorkeling Tour: Palancar, Columbia and El Cielo Reefs: $29
- Island Tour in Cozumel, Mayan Show & Tacos: $30
- Transparent Boating and Snorkeling Tour in Cozumel All Inclusive: $32
- Bicycle Adventure With Snorkel and Lunch: $33
- VIP Glass Bottom Boat & Snorkeling 3 Reefs Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCozumel $10San Juan del Sur $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cozumel
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cozumel:
- Chocolate Seaside Workshop & Wine Tasting: $45
- Downtown Cozumel and Brewery Experience: $69
- Rum and Gin at Cozumel First Distillery : $99
- Craft Beer Tasting Experience with Brewery Tour: $99
- Cozumel Mixology Experience at Distillery : $109
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cozumel and San Juan del Sur, we can see that Cozumel is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cozumel is in North 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 Cozumel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cozumel 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 Cozumel Expensive? and Is San Juan del Sur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cozumel or San Juan del Sur?
Cozumel has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of Cozumel 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.