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

Central America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

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.

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.

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

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $35, while the average daily cost in San Juan del Sur is $43. 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 city. 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 $19
    San Juan del Sur $17
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guatemala City $38
    San Juan del Sur $34

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guatemala City $4.94
    San Juan del Sur $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • Airport transfer from Guatemala City airport to Antigua: $26
  • Collective Transfer From Guatemala City to La Aurora Airport: $20
  • Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, Lake Atitlan: $128
  • Private Airport Transfer: Guatemala to La Aurora International Airport (GUA): $38
  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Coban: $155
  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlán: $120
  • Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $28
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Antigua: $16
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $14
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Guatemala City Hotels to Airport: $14
  • Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $70

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan del Sur

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

  • One-Way Private Transfer from San Juan del Sur to Managua: $146

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 $12
    San Juan del Sur $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.

  • Taste Antigua Guatemala Walking Food Tour: $70
  • Guatemala Food Tour from Guatemala City: $117
  • Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $118
  • Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $178

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Juan del Sur

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Juan del Sur.

  • Food Tour - Nicaragua Gastronomy: $102

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guatemala City $0.97
    San Juan del Sur $12

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:

  • Walking tour Guatemala City Downtown: $15
  • Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $17
  • La Aurora Zoo Admission Ticket: $18
  • Half Day Guatemala City Tour: $27
  • Half Day Experience in Guatemala City: $30
  • Guatemala City Tour: $32
  • Guatemala City Afternoon Sightseeing Tour: $34
  • Private Tour: Antigua Guatemala Walking Tour from Antigua Guatemala: $35
  • Guatemala city walking tour: $37
  • Antigua Guatemala: Morning Tour from Guatemala City: $38
  • UNESCO JEWELS: Antigua Half Day Tour from Guatemala City: $38
  • Kanba Cave & Semuc Champey Park Tour Including Entrance Fees: $44

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: $100
  • ATV Tour: $103
  • Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur: $159
  • San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour: $201

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guatemala City $5.48
    San Juan del Sur $11

About these numbers

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.

Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
San Pedro vs. Guatemala City
San Pedro vs. San Juan del Sur
San Ignacio vs. Guatemala City
San Ignacio vs. San Juan del Sur
Belize City vs. Guatemala City
Belize City vs. San Juan del Sur
San Pedro La Laguna vs. Guatemala City
San Pedro La Laguna vs. San Juan del Sur
Flores vs. Guatemala City
Flores vs. San Juan del Sur
Guatemala City vs. Antigua Guatemala
Guatemala City vs. Roatan
Guatemala City vs. La Ceiba
Guatemala City vs. Copan
Guatemala City vs. Isla de Ometepe
Guatemala City vs. Managua
Guatemala City vs. Leon
Guatemala City vs. Granada
Guatemala City vs. San Jose
Guatemala City vs. Quepos
Guatemala City vs. Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)
Guatemala City vs. Santa Elena
Guatemala City vs. Liberia
Guatemala City vs. Jaco
Guatemala City vs. La Fortuna
Guatemala City vs. Pedasi
Guatemala City vs. Panama City
Guatemala City vs. David
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Guatemala City vs. San Juan del Sur Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.