A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Guatemala City vs. San Juan del Sur for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.


Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or Guatemala City?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Guatemala City Prices
    Guatemala Prices
    San Juan del Sur Prices
    Nicaragua Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Guatemala City $44
    San Juan del Sur $66

The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $44, while the average daily cost in San Juan del Sur is $66. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guatemala City $24
    San Juan del Sur $21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guatemala City $48
    San 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.

Hotels in Guatemala City


Hotels in San Juan del Sur


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guatemala City $6.21
    San Juan del Sur $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • Antigua: One way shared transfer to Guatemala City: $24
  • From Guatemala City One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey: $54
  • From One Way Private Transfers to Panajachel: $210
  • From One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $59
  • From Panajachel: Transfer to Guatemala City: $240
  • Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $56
  • Guatemala Airport to San Felipe de Lara RoundTrip PrivateTransfer: $155
  • Guatemala City Airport GUA to San Felipe de Lara-Arrival Transfer: $77
  • Guatemala City Airport(GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Round-Trip Transfer: $133
  • One way private transfer to Antigua: $74
  • Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $24
  • Private Airport Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan del Sur

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Juan del Sur:

  • Granada: One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $39
  • From One way shared transfer to Rivas: $39
  • San Jorge: One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $39

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Guatemala City $15
    San Juan del Sur $32

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
  • Cooking and class with Private Guatemalan Chef : $72
  • Taste Antigua Guatemala Walking Food Tour : $75
  • Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class: $90
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guatemala City $1.22
    San 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:

  • Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $17
  • Guided Walking Tour in Guatemala City: $26
  • 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
  • Walking Tour: $35
  • UNESCO JEWELS: Antigua Half Day Tour from Guatemala City: $38
  • Private Night City Photo Tour in Guatemala: $50
  • Half-Day Guatemala City Tour : $55
  • Guatemala City Afternoon Sightseeing Tour: $60

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:

  • Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Maderas, San Juan del Sur also in Costa Rica: $90
  • SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $103
  • San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour: $118
  • Private Tour to Granada Colonial City and 365 Islets: $127
  • ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA: $130
  • Private Tour Zipline and Adventure Park from San Juan del Sur: $150
  • Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur: $159

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guatemala City $6.89
    San 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.