Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or Nassau?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nassau or San Juan del Sur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nassau or San Juan del Sur, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Nassau or San Juan del Sur?
Nassau
There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.
As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.
Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.
Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNassau $189San Juan del Sur $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Nassau is $189, 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 Nassau and San Juan del Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNassau $109San Juan del Sur $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNassau $218San Juan del Sur $42
Compare Hotels in Nassau and San Juan del Sur
Looking for a hotel in Nassau 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: Nassau Hotel Prices and San Juan del Sur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nassau $32San Juan del Sur $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:
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Water Taxi$8.02
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Taxi to Cable Beach$25
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Taxi from Airport$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:
- Atlantis Private Luxury Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $190
- Baha Mar ( Grand Hyatt, SLS, Rosewood Hotels) Private Airport Transfers : $160
- Chippies Airport/Hotel Transfers Transportation: $55
- Group transfer: $68
- Low Cost Airport Transfers: $185
- Luxury MKT Town Car Private Roundtrip Transfer : $140
- Lynden Pindling Airport (NAS): Round-Trip Nassau Transfer: $252
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau cruise port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $80
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- Nassau Airport (NAS): Private Transfer to Nassau cruise port: $164
- Nassau Cruise Port to Nassau hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Nassau or San Juan del Sur?
Prices for flights to both San Juan del Sur and Nassau 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 dayNassau $53San Juan del Sur $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nassau.
- Nassau Food Tour and Beach Break: $65
- Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
- Savor Old Nassau Dining Stroll by Tru Bahamian Food Tours: $116
- Sail Catamaran Sunset Dinner Cruise: $116
- All Inclusive Sunset Dinner Cruise in Nassau Bahamas: $125
- Dinner and Dancing: $130
- Authentic Bahamian Cooking Class: $135
- Bahamian Cooking Class Lunch Experience by Tru Bahamian Food Tour: $140
- Island Food Tour: $140
- Gourmet dinner & sunset cruise on luxury catamaran: $375
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nassau $37San Juan del Sur $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:
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Jet Ski$50
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4 Hr Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Nassau
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nassau are as follows:
- Champagne and Diamond Shopping Experience in Downtown, Bahamas: $5.00
- Archie's Weekend Tour with Seafood Snack and Spanish Friendly: $7.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Nassau Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Jewel of the Bahamas: $15
- Heritage Museum of The Bahamas Nassau Guided Tour: $20
- Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours: $28
- Roundtrip Shuttle from Cruise Terminal at Prince George Wharf: $29
- Nassau Sightseeing Bus Tour: $35
- Big Bus Private Tour (minimum of 15): $43
- Bahamas Ghost Walking Tour: $44
- Banana Boat Adventure: $50
- Dis We Culture Tour (At least 6 passengers): $50
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 dayNassau $19San Juan del Sur $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:
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Cocktail$6.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Nassau
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nassau:
- Nassau Rum Distillery Tour: $25
- Rum Runners Pub Crawl: $140
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nassau and San Juan del Sur, we can see that Nassau is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nassau 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 Nassau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nassau 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 Nassau Expensive? and Is San Juan del Sur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nassau or San Juan del Sur?
Nassau has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of Nassau 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 Nassau 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 Nassau or San Juan del Sur in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nassau and San Juan del Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nassau 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 summer. Nassau gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nassau usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan del Sur. Nassau gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Nassau, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nassau usually receives more sunshine than San Juan del Sur during summer. Nassau gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Nassau is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nassau in July average around 28°C (82°F), and San Juan del Sur averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNassau 28°C (82°F)San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Nassau or San Juan del Sur in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Nassau as well as San Juan del Sur. Nassau attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in San Juan del Sur. Nassau receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nassau usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as San Juan del Sur. Nassau gets 184 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nassau this time of the year. In the autumn, Nassau often gets more sunshine than San Juan del Sur. Nassau gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 195 hours of full sun.
In October, Nassau is generally around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Daily temperatures in Nassau average around 26°C (79°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNassau 26°C (79°F)San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Nassau or San Juan del Sur in the Winter?
Both San Juan del Sur and Nassau are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nassau 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 January, Nassau usually receives more rain than San Juan del Sur. Nassau gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in San Juan del Sur. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nassau. Nassau usually receives less sunshine than San Juan del Sur during winter. Nassau gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.
Nassau is cooler than San Juan del Sur in the winter. The daily temperature in Nassau averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNassau 21°C (70°F)San Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Nassau or San Juan del Sur in the Spring?
Both San Juan del Sur and Nassau during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nassau 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.
Nassau usually gets more rain in April than San Juan del Sur. Nassau gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In San Juan del Sur, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nassau. In the spring, Nassau often gets more sunshine than San Juan del Sur. Nassau gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 242 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Nassau is cooler than San Juan del Sur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nassau in April average around 23°C (74°F), and San Juan del Sur averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNassau 23°C (74°F)San Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan del Sur and Nassau
| Nassau | San Juan del Sur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (74°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (80°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (71°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
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.