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

Should you visit Havana or San Juan del Sur?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Havana and San Juan del Sur can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Havana or San Juan del Sur?

Havana

The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).

This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and San Juan del Sur, we can see that Havana is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana 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 Havana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Havana 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 Havana Expensive? and Is San Juan del Sur Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Havana or San Juan del Sur?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 280 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of Havana 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 Havana 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 Havana or San Juan del Sur in the Summer?

Both San Juan del Sur and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana 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. In July, Havana usually receives less rain than San Juan del Sur. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In July, Havana is generally around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 27°C (81°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Havana or San Juan del Sur in the Autumn?

Both San Juan del Sur and Havana during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana 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. Havana usually gets less rain in October than San Juan del Sur. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Havana is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur in the autumn. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Havana or San Juan del Sur in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and San Juan del Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Havana usually receives more rain than San Juan del Sur. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In the winter, Havana is cooler than San Juan del Sur. Typically, the winter temperatures in Havana in January average around 21°C (70°F), and San Juan del Sur averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Havana or San Juan del Sur in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Havana as well as San Juan del Sur. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year.

Havana usually gets more rain in April than San Juan del Sur. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In April, Havana is generally cooler than San Juan del Sur. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 24°C (75°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for San Juan del Sur and Havana