Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or Grande-Terre?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grande-Terre or San Juan del Sur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Grande-Terre or San Juan del Sur? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Grande-Terre or San Juan del Sur?
Grande-Terre
Grande Terre is an island that makes up the eastern half of the Guadeloupe 'mainland.' It is divided from the other half of the main Guadeloupe island, Basse Terre, by a narrow channel called Rivière Salee (or the Salt River). The island itself is characterized by rolling hills, white sand beaches, and cliffs, and its indented coastline is surrounded by coral reefs. It is home to most of Guadeloupe's farmlands and tourist resorts.
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 dayGrande-Terre €145San Juan del Sur €49
The average daily cost (per person) in Grande-Terre is €145, while the average daily cost in San Juan del Sur is €49. 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 Grande-Terre and San Juan del Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrande-Terre €82San Juan del Sur €19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrande-Terre €164San Juan del Sur €38
Compare Hotels in Grande-Terre and San Juan del Sur
Looking for a hotel in Grande-Terre 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: Grande-Terre Hotel Prices and San Juan del Sur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grande-Terre €9.00San Juan del Sur €16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grande-Terre
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Grande-Terre:
- Arrival Private Transfer Pointe a Pitre Airport PTP to Pointe a Pitre by SUV: $41
- Arrival Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre Airport PTP to Le Gosier by SUV: $50
- Departure Private Transfer from Le Gosier to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $51
- Departure Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $41
- Departure Private Transfer from Saint-Francois to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $92
- Departure Private Transfer from Sainte-Anne to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $60
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Guadeloupe island - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $159
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Guadeloupe island hotel-Arrival Private Transfer: $79
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Pointe-a-Pitre - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport to Pointe-a-Pitre Hotels Arrival Transfer: $23
- Pointe-a-Pitre to Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre Airport to Deshaies or Trois Riviers by SUV: $91
Is it cheaper to fly into Grande-Terre or San Juan del Sur?
Prices for flights to both San Juan del Sur and Grande-Terre 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 dayGrande-Terre €48San Juan del Sur €17
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grande-Terre €45San Juan del Sur €14
Tours and Activities in Grande-Terre
Here are a few actual costs in Grande-Terre for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cruise stopover - Plage du Gosier Round trip: $15
- Cruise Stopover at Village Sainte Anne and its Beach: $31
- Guided tour by electric tuk-tuk: $49
- Stand Up Paddle Adventure in Guadeloupe: $49
- Stopover Cruise - Valombreuse Botanical Garden + Sainte-Anne Beach: $49
- *Cruise Stopover* - Tropical Forest - Sainte-Anne Beach: $60
- Private Surf Lessons Tour in Guadeloupe: $97
- Photoshoot + Drone on a Caribbean paradise beach or day tour : $100
- Full Day Tour of Guadeloupe: $157
- Private Ultralight Seaplane Experience in Guadeloupe: $169
- Full Day Private Boat Tour to the Lagoon of Guadeloupe: $232
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:
- SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $103
- San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour: $118
- ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA: $130
- atv tour also in Costa Rica: $132
- Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur: $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrande-Terre €12San Juan del Sur €12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grande-Terre and San Juan del Sur, we can see that Grande-Terre is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre Expensive? and Is San Juan del Sur Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Grande-Terre or San Juan del Sur?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Grande-Terre or San Juan del Sur in the Summer?
Both San Juan del Sur and Grande-Terre are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grande-Terre throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan del Sur. It's quite rainy in Grande-Terre. In July, Grande-Terre usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan del Sur. Grande-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually receives more sunshine than San Juan del Sur during summer. Grande-Terre gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.
Grande-Terre is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur in the summer. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrande-Terre 27°C (81°F)San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Grande-Terre or San Juan del Sur in the Autumn?
Both San Juan del Sur and Grande-Terre during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in October than San Juan del Sur. Grande-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Grande-Terre. In the autumn, Grande-Terre often gets more sunshine than San Juan del Sur. Grande-Terre gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 195 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Grande-Terre is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Grande-Terre in October average around 27°C (80°F), and San Juan del Sur averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrande-Terre 27°C (80°F)San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Grande-Terre or San Juan del Sur in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Grande-Terre and San Juan del Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grande-Terre year-round. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than San Juan del Sur. Grande-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan del Sur this time of the year. In Grande-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. Grande-Terre usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan del Sur during winter. Grande-Terre gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Grande-Terre is generally around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre average around 24°C (76°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrande-Terre 24°C (76°F)San Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Grande-Terre or San Juan del Sur in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Grande-Terre as well as San Juan del Sur. Grande-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year.
Grande-Terre receives a lot of rain in the spring. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in April than San Juan del Sur. Grande-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan del Sur. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Grande-Terre this time of the year. In the spring, Grande-Terre often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan del Sur. Grande-Terre gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 242 hours of full sun.
Grande-Terre is cooler than San Juan del Sur in the spring. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrande-Terre 26°C (78°F)San Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan del Sur and Grande-Terre
| Grande-Terre | San Juan del Sur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.