Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or San Juan del Sur?
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 Grand Cayman and San Juan del Sur. 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: Grand Cayman or San Juan del Sur?
Grand Cayman
When people think of the Cayman Islands, they typically think of offshore bank accounts and sunny, cruise ship ports. Grand Cayman has more to offer travelers than a playground for the wealthy or a short stopover for cruise passengers. This tropical island is the largest of the three Cayman Islands, it is a shopper's heaven, a center for global finance and an ideal vacation spot.
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 dayGrand Cayman $214San Juan del Sur $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, 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 Grand Cayman and San Juan del Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150San Juan del Sur $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300San Juan del Sur $42
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and San Juan del Sur
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman 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: Grand Cayman Hotel Prices and San Juan del Sur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31San Juan del Sur $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman
Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $88
- Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265
- George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $53
- George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $53
- George Town Port to George Town / 7-Mile Beach area -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $106
- George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or San Juan del Sur?
Prices for flights to both San Juan del Sur and Grand Cayman 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 dayGrand Cayman $39San Juan del Sur $18
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41San Juan del Sur $15
Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman
For Grand Cayman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- West Bay Sightseeing Tour Plus Seven Mile Beach Visit: $45
- Stingraycity Adventure: $69
- Starfish and Stingray City Fun Tour with Reef Snorkeling- 3 stops: $69
- Stingray City Experience Plus One Snorkeling Stop: $69
- Stingray City Sandbar, Coral Gardens and 7-Mile Beach Tour: $70
- Stingray City Experience Plus Two Snorkeling Stops on Grand Cayman: $75
- Stingrays, Starfish and Snorkeling Tour: $75
- Grand Cayman Cruise: Starfish Point, Stingray City, Coral Garden: $80
- Acquarius Stingray City and Snorkel Tours: $80
- Grand Cayman - Bioluminescent Bay Tour: $95
- Cayman Adventure: Starfish Point, Stingray City and Coral Gardens: $99
- West Island Guided Tour with Entry Tickets: $120
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 dayGrand Cayman $13San Juan del Sur $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Grand Cayman
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Grand Cayman:
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Beer$4.97
Sample the Local Flavors in Grand Cayman
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Grand Cayman:
- Cayman Spirits Co. Distillery Tour Pass Ticket Only: $24
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and San Juan del Sur, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman 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 Grand Cayman would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grand Cayman 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 Grand Cayman Expensive? and Is San Juan del Sur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or San Juan del Sur?
Grand Cayman has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman 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.
When is the best time to visit Grand Cayman or San Juan del Sur?
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 Grand Cayman or San Juan del Sur in the Summer?
Both San Juan del Sur and Grand Cayman during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round.
San Juan del Sur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in July than San Juan del Sur. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 28°C (83°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or San Juan del Sur in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and San Juan del Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
San Juan del Sur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than San Juan del Sur. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or San Juan del Sur in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as San Juan del Sur. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year.
Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in January than San Juan del Sur. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand Cayman in January average around 24°C (76°F), and San Juan del Sur averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)San Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or San Juan del Sur in the Spring?
Both San Juan del Sur and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than San Juan del Sur. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Grand Cayman is generally cooler than San Juan del Sur. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 26°C (79°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)San Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan del Sur and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | San Juan del Sur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.