Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or Freeport?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Freeport or San Juan del Sur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Freeport and San Juan del Sur can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Freeport or San Juan del Sur?
Freeport
When you picture the Bahamas you likely picture the beaches, resorts and playgrounds of Nassau. Just to the northwest of this tourist paradise is a tropical city founded on industry. Freeport began as mostly swampland and is now the second most populous city in the Bahamas.
This city is less of a tourist attraction - a place where you'll find the true Bahaman culture mixed in with some relaxing spots to help you unwind and get into your island vacation.
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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFreeport $244San Juan del Sur $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Freeport is $244, while the average daily cost in San Juan del Sur is $53. 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 Freeport and San Juan del Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFreeport $141San Juan del Sur $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFreeport $282San Juan del Sur $42
Compare Hotels in Freeport and San Juan del Sur
Looking for a hotel in Freeport 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: Freeport Hotel Prices and San Juan del Sur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Freeport $59San Juan del Sur $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Freeport
Also for Freeport, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Freeport Grand Bahama Airport (FPO): Transfer to Freeport: $259
- Freeport to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) Departure Private Transfer: $72
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport - Arrival Private Transfer: $72
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Old Bahama Bay - Private Transfer: $193
- Grand Bahama Airport(FPO) to Freeport -RoundTrip Private Transfer: $143
- Grand Bahama Airport: One-Way Transfer to Freeport Hotels: $139
- Old Bahama Bay to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) - Private Transfer: $193
- Private Round Trip Transfer from Freeport Airport to Hotel: $133
- Private Transfer from FPO to Freeport hotels or resorts: $167
- Private Transfer from FPO to Old Bahama Bay resort : $233
- Private Transfer from Freeport Port to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO): $29
- Private Transfer from Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport Port: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Freeport or San Juan del Sur?
Prices for flights to both San Juan del Sur and Freeport 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 dayFreeport $64San Juan del Sur $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Around Town/Bahamian Cooking Experience: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Freeport $40San Juan del Sur $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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10 Dive Package$300
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4 Hr. Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Freeport
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Freeport.
- Tour of Coral Vita and breach brak at Banana bay beach club: $51
- Mamma Gal Native Experience : $70
- Freeport Shore Excursion: Garden of the Groves and City Tour: $81
- Mamma Gal East End Native Experience : $85
- Rumbo Tour : $90
- Clear Kayak Tour: $120
- Bahamas Sea Scooter Snorkeling Adventure: $120
- Grand Bahama Agricultural Family Farm Tour: $120
- CocoNutz Cruisers Electric Bicycle Tour: $123
- East End Private Day Trip Experience Tour : $200
- Snorkel/Swim with the Turtles Experience: $250
- 4 Hour Private Sandy Cay Experience with Snorkeling - Adults Only: $275
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: $130
- Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur: $159
- SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $103
- San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour: $118
- atv tour also in Costa Rica: $132
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFreeport $30San Juan del Sur $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Freeport
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Freeport:
- Brewery & Taste with Beach & Shop at Largest Market on Freeport 4-hrs : $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Freeport and San Juan del Sur, we can see that Freeport is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Freeport 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 Freeport would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Freeport 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 Freeport Expensive? and Is San Juan del Sur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Freeport or San Juan del Sur?
Freeport has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of Freeport 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.