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

Should you visit Mandeville or San Juan del Sur?

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

Should I visit Mandeville 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: Mandeville or San Juan del Sur?

Mandeville

Mandeville is a small, quiet town in the mountains of Jamaica with a population of about 50,000. The town is situated on a plateau west of Kingston. It is the largest town in the parish of Manchester and the fifth largest urban center in the country.

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

Which is Bigger, Mandeville or San Juan del Sur?

Mandeville has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville 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 Mandeville or San Juan del Sur?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Mandeville or San Juan del Sur in the Summer?

Both San Juan del Sur and Mandeville during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mandeville 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. Mandeville usually gets less rain in July than San Juan del Sur. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Mandeville. In the summer, Mandeville often gets more sunshine than San Juan del Sur. Mandeville gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 175 hours of full sun.

Mandeville is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur in the summer. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

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

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

San Juan del Sur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mandeville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Mandeville usually receives less rain than San Juan del Sur. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In Mandeville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mandeville usually receives more sunshine than San Juan del Sur during autumn. Mandeville gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Mandeville is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mandeville in October average around 28°C (82°F), and San Juan del Sur averages at about 27°C (81°F).

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

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

Mandeville usually gets more rain in January than San Juan del Sur. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 4 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 Mandeville this time of the year. In the winter, Mandeville often gets less sunshine than San Juan del Sur. Mandeville gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 244 hours of full sun.

In January, Mandeville is generally around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 26°C (79°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

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

Both San Juan del Sur and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Mandeville usually receives more rain than San Juan del Sur. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in San Juan del Sur. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan del Sur during spring. Mandeville gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.

Mandeville is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur in the spring. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for San Juan del Sur and Mandeville