Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or Guatemala City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guatemala City or San Juan del Sur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Guatemala City 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: Guatemala City or San Juan del Sur?
Guatemala City
Referred to by the locals as "Guate," Guatemala City is the largest and most modern city in Guatemala, as well as its capital. While the atmosphere of the place is big, dirty, and dangerous with city fumes and skyscrapers, it is the hub of the country. It is the place where travelers first step foot into Guatemala and, though it is a place of modern chaos, it does have some of the best galleries and museums as well as a selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuatemala City $44San Juan del Sur $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $44, 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 Guatemala City and San Juan del Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuatemala City $24San Juan del Sur $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuatemala City $48San Juan del Sur $42
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and San Juan del Sur
Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City 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: Guatemala City Hotel Prices and San Juan del Sur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guatemala City $6.17San Juan del Sur $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $56
- Guatemala Airport to San Felipe de Lara RoundTrip PrivateTransfer: $152
- Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $65
- Guatemala City Airport GUA to San Felipe de Lara-Arrival Transfer: $76
- Guatemala City Airport(GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Round-Trip Transfer: $130
- One way private transfer to Antigua: $74
- PRIVATE Group Transfer From Guatemala City to La Antigua: $20
- Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $24
- Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $23
- Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $150
- Private Transfer From Airport to Hotel in Guatemala City: $30
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or San Juan del Sur?
Prices for flights to both San Juan del Sur and Guatemala City 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 dayGuatemala City $15San Juan del Sur $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.
- Cooking class/Pepian Workshop: $35
- Taste Antigua Guatemala Walking Food Tour : $75
- Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
- Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $178
- Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Cooked Under Volcanic Heat: $180
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guatemala City $1.21San Juan del Sur $15
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- Culinary Experience in Guatemala City: $15
- Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $17
- Half Day Guatemala City Tour: $27
- 2-Hour Culture and Historical Tour From Guatemala: $29
- Guatemala city Walking Tour and public bus: $30
- Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $34
- Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City : $35
- Guatemala city walking tour on afternoon 14.00, 2 persons and up: $39
- City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47
- Tour around antigua's villages: $50
- 3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $55
- Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $58
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 dayGuatemala City $6.84San Juan del Sur $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guatemala City and San Juan del Sur, we can see that San Juan del Sur is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Guatemala City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guatemala City 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 del Sur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Juan del Sur than you might in Guatemala City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guatemala City Expensive? and Is San Juan del Sur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or San Juan del Sur?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City 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.