Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Granada?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Granada or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Granada and San Juan. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Granada or San Juan?
Granada
Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.
San Juan
If you've ever set foot on a Caribbean cruise, you've probably spent a bit of time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, maybe you should consider spending more than just a port day in this beautiful and historically rich city.
As the capital and largest city in all of Puerto Rico, San Juan is home to approximately 400,000 people. Established in 1521, it is also the second oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas.
As this city fuses a historic paradise with modern day energy, it has absolutely everything to offer. Intellectual wanderers, beach bums, rainforest adventurers and radical surfers will all find plenty to do in San Juan.
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 dayGranada $40San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Granada is $40, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $192. 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 Granada and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGranada $17San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGranada $34San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Granada and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Granada or San Juan? 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: Granada Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Granada $8.57San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Granada:
- One-Way Private Transfer From/To Airport or Hotels in Granada: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Mendoza: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $25
- Private Transportation in Puerto Rico From or To San Juan Airport(SJU) Transfers: $33
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla Y Luxury SUV, Select Zone: $77
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla S Lux Sedan, Select Zone: $79
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Granada or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Granada 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 dayGranada $14San Juan $36
Typical Food Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of dining costs in Granada are as follows:
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Pizza$2.29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Old San Juan Sunset Food Tour with Drinks: $156
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walk and Food Tour: $159
- City Lights Sky High Dinner Experience: $165
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Private Local Food Tour in San Juan: $275
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Granada $10San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Granada are as follows:
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Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour$8.17
Tours and Activities in Granada
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Granada are as follows:
- Bird Watching Tour: $90
- Boat Tour and Granada City Tour: $120
- Charming Granada Outdoor "Private Tour" : $92
- Experience Granadas Best Sights Carriage ride + Local Guide: $65
- Fabulous Night Tour in Masaya Volcano from Granada: $158
- From Full-Day Tour to 6 Attractions with Lunch incl: $125
- Full Day Tour Isletas + Pueblos Blancos + Laguna from Granada: $120
- Full Day Tour in Granada with Volcano Visit: $224
- Full-Day Tour: Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60
- Granada City Tour: $40
- Granada Colonial City Tour and Masaya Volcano: $130
- Granada Kayak Tour: $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Tour$40
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Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
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1 Hr Windsurfing Lesson$75
Tours and Activities in San Juan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Juan.
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historic Buildings: $5.99
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $20
- Old Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $25
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- Walking tour of Oaxaca City: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGranada $7.50San Juan $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Granada
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Granada:
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Tequila$1.36
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Pinones Pub crawl in Puerto Rico: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Granada and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Granada is in Central America and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 San Juan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Juan than you might in Granada.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Granada Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Granada or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Granada and San Juan, 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.
When is the best time to visit Granada or San Juan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Granada or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Granada as well as San Juan. Granada attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Granada receives a lot of rain in the summer. Granada usually gets more rain in July than San Juan. Granada gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the summer, Granada often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Granada gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Granada is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Granada in July average around 27°C (81°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGranada 27°C (81°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Granada or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Granada throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. It's quite rainy in Granada. In October, Granada usually receives more rain than San Juan. Granada gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Granada usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Granada gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Granada is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 27°C (81°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGranada 27°C (81°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Granada or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Granada during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Granada usually gets less rain in January than San Juan. Granada gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Granada. In the winter, Granada often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Granada gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Granada is around the same temperature as San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGranada 26°C (79°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Granada or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and San Juan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Granada year-round. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Granada usually receives less rain than San Juan. Granada gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Granada gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Granada is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Granada in April average around 29°C (84°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGranada 29°C (84°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Granada
| Granada | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
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.