Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or Punta Cana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Punta Cana or San Juan del Sur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Punta Cana 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: Punta Cana or San Juan del Sur?
Punta Cana
Punta Cana, located on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, is renowned for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant culture. This Caribbean paradise offers a diverse range of experiences that cater to all types of travelers, whether you're on a tight budget, seeking thrilling activities, exploring local cuisine, or figuring out the best ways to get around.
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 Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Punta Cana Prices
Dominican Republic PricesSan Juan del Sur Prices
Nicaragua Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta Cana $178San Juan del Sur $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta Cana is $178, while the average daily cost in San Juan del Sur is $66. 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 Punta Cana and San Juan del Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta Cana $99San Juan del Sur $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta Cana $198San Juan del Sur $42
Compare Hotels in Punta Cana and San Juan del Sur
Looking for a hotel in Punta Cana 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: Punta Cana Hotel Prices and San Juan del Sur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta Cana $6.68San Juan del Sur $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Cana
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Punta Cana:
- Airport Transfer from/to Uvero Alto to Punta Cana: $46
- Private Airport Transfer to or from Uvero Alto and Punta Cana: $29
- Private Punta Cana Airport Transfers & Hotels : $6.00
- Private Punta Cana Airport Transfers Hotels Punta Cana: $20
- Punta Cana Private VIP Transfers Suburban: $43
- #1 Punta Cana Airport Transfers Dominican Transportation: $40
- “Punta Cana Airport Taxis | Private Transfers & Shuttle Services”: $15
- "First-Class VIP Luxury Transfer in Punta Cana-Airport Shuttle": $35
- "Uvero Alto Hotel Transfer to/from Punta Cana Airport" : $60
- Affordable Punta Cana Airport Transfers, Taxis and Shuttles: $15
- Airport Transfer to Hotels in Punta Cana: $79
- Airport Transfers Punta Cana - Punta Cana Airport Transfers: $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan del Sur
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Juan del Sur:
- Granada: One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta Cana or San Juan del Sur?
Prices for flights to both San Juan del Sur and Punta Cana 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 dayPunta Cana $67San Juan del Sur $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Punta Cana
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Punta Cana.
- Half Day Punta Cana Food Tour Including Transportation : $35
- Origen Tasting Adventure Dinner or Lunch of 8 Courses Dom Cuisine: $85
- 'Chillo al Coco' Cooking Class & Taino Concept store: $98
- "PRIVATE"- Wild Dominican Sancocho Cooking Adventure!: $99
- Buggy Ride, Dinner and Taino Party: $118
- Taste of DR Street Food Tour: $125
- Punta Cana Buggy Ride, Dinner and Taino Party: $139
- Buggy Tour with Cenote Swim and Dinner: $155
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta Cana $31San Juan del Sur $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Punta Cana
Here are a few typical costs in Punta Cana for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Dune Buggy Adventure$53
Tours and Activities in Punta Cana
Here are a few actual costs in Punta Cana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Souvenir Shopping Tour with Traditional Tastings: $2.00
- Shopping Tour In Don Lucas Cigar Factory: $4.00
- Guided Tour to Don Lucas Cigars Factory and Souvenirs Store: $5.00
- Shopping Tour in Punta Cana with Round Trip Transportation: $5.00
- Tour de Compras: Chocolate, Café y Artesanías en Punta Cana.: $5.00
- Guided Shopping Tour to WordMart Souvenirs Store: $5.00
- Guided Shopping Tour at BellaMare Souvenirs Mall: $5.00
- Guided Tour to Don Lucas Cigar Factory: Round-trip transport: $5.00
- Shopping Tour to WorldMart Souvenirs Store: $5.00
- Guided Tour of WordMart Souvenir Store in Punta Cana: $5.00
- Guided Tour to Don Lucas Cigar Factory & Souvenirs Store: $5.00
- Guided Souvenir Shopping Tour in Punta Cana: $5.00
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:
- Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Maderas, San Juan del Sur also in Costa Rica: $90
- ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA: $145
- SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $150
- 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
- Private Tour to Granada Colonial City and 365 Islets: $288
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta Cana $11San Juan del Sur $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta Cana and San Juan del Sur, we can see that Punta Cana is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Punta Cana 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 Punta Cana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punta Cana 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 Punta Cana Expensive? and Is San Juan del Sur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta Cana or San Juan del Sur?
Punta Cana has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of Punta Cana 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.