Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) or San Juan del Sur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) and San Juan del Sur. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) or San Juan del Sur?
Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius)
An island of the Caribbean Netherlands, St. Eustatius, sometimes called Statia, is a small, relatively unknown destination to the greater tourist areas of the Caribbean. As a result, however, it is its own treasure consisting of a dormant volcano known as the Quill and featuring a lush rainforest, narrow volcanic beaches, many dive sites, and a quaint harbor town.
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 dayOranjestad (Sint Eustatius) $188San Juan del Sur $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) is $188, 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 Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) and San Juan del Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOranjestad (Sint Eustatius) $92San Juan del Sur $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOranjestad (Sint Eustatius) $184San Juan del Sur $42
Compare Hotels in Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) and San Juan del Sur
Looking for a hotel in Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) 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: San Juan del Sur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) $70San Juan del Sur $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius):
- International Airport/Private Jet Terminal Transfers: $67
- St. Kitts Hotel Transfers: $80
- Beach Transfer Frigate Bay Beach: $26
- Catamaran Party Cruise to Nevis from St Kitts with Transfer from Frigate Bay: $150
- Private Airport Transfer to Belmont Estate Farm, Kititian Hill: $70
- Private Transfer from St. Kitts Airport to Park Hyatt: $55
- ST Kitts private Luxury Air Port Transfer: $300
- Shared or Private St Kitts Airport Roundtrip Transfer : $32
- St. Christophe Harbour Transfers: $67
- St. Kitts & Nevis Airport Hotel & Boat Shared/Private Transfers: $45
Is it cheaper to fly into Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) or San Juan del Sur?
Prices for flights to both San Juan del Sur and Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) 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 dayOranjestad (Sint Eustatius) $51San Juan del Sur $18
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) $37San Juan del Sur $15
Tours and Activities in Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius)
Here are a few actual costs in Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Panoramic Shore Tour And Beach: $27
- St. Kitts Beach Adventure: $30
- Historical Basseterre and Beach Experience : $40
- Panoramic Sightseeing Tour of St Kitts: $40
- Half-Island Tour of St Kitts: $46
- Capital City Tour and Beach Splash: $49
- Life In Paradise {Full Panoramic Tour}: $60
- Full Island Private Tour: $60
- Basseterre Plantation Private Half Day Tour: $60
- Rainforest Tours in St. Kitts: $62
- The Downtown Basseterre Local Cultural Food & Walking Tour: $65
- The Grand Tour of St. Kitts: $65
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 dayOranjestad (Sint Eustatius) $26San Juan del Sur $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) and San Juan del Sur, we can see that Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) 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 Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) 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 Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) Expensive? and Is San Juan del Sur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) or San Juan del Sur?
San Juan del Sur has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius). When comparing the sizes of Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) 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.
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.