Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or Rio de Janeiro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Rio de Janeiro or San Juan del Sur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rio de Janeiro and San Juan del Sur can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Rio de Janeiro or San Juan del Sur?
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.
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 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $105San Juan del Sur $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $105, 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 Rio de Janeiro and San Juan del Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $66San Juan del Sur $21
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $132San Juan del Sur $42
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and San Juan del Sur
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro 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: Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices and San Juan del Sur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $7.97San Juan del Sur $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
-
Taxi Ride$2.93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $468
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $468
- A transfer with safety and comfort in Rio: $45
- Airport Private Transfer - Premium Service: $65
- All Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande: $275
- All-You-Can-Eat Brazilian Churrascaria in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $80
- Angra dos Reis Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro : $107
- Angra dos Reis Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $53
- Arraial do Cabo Private Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $123
- Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $54
- Arrival Private Transfer GIG or SDU Airport to Rio City by Minivan: $91
- Arrival Private Transfer from Rio Airports to Angra dos Reis by Sedan Car: $116
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or San Juan del Sur?
Prices for flights to both San Juan del Sur and Rio de Janeiro 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
-
Food Meals for one dayRio de Janeiro $20San Juan del Sur $18
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
-
Popcorn$0.59
-
Corn on the Cob$0.78
-
Hamburger$0.98
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.
- Waterfront Dinner & Live Music Experience: $46
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $72
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $79
- Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $80
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $82
- Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $105
- Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115
- Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
- Rio: Ginga Tropical Folkloric Show & Optional Dinner: $142
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22San Juan del Sur $15
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Santa Teresa: the staircase: $6.99
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Rio de Janeiro (Ipanema & Copacabana) Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.83
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.83
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Hiking Experience to Pedra do Telégrafo: $9.97
- A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $10
- Ticket to the match at maracanã of Flamengo: $10
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
- 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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12San Juan del Sur $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $28
- Pub Crawl in Lapa: $29
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $35
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $64
- Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $131
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and San Juan del Sur, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rio de Janeiro is in South America 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 Rio de Janeiro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro Expensive? and Is San Juan del Sur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or San Juan del Sur?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 770 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro or San Juan del Sur?
Rio de Janeiro has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Juan del Sur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or San Juan del Sur in the Summer?
Both San Juan del Sur and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Rio de Janeiro is generally around the same temperature as San Juan del Surin July. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 26°C (79°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan del Sur. It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. In January, Rio de Janeiro usually receives less rain than San Juan del Surin July. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or San Juan del Sur in the Autumn?
Both San Juan del Sur and Rio de Janeiro during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round.
Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
San Juan del Sur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro usually gets less rain in April than San Juan del Surin October. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or San Juan del Sur in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and San Juan del Sur. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Rio de Janeiro is cooler than San Juan del Sur. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in July average around 21°C (70°F), and San Juan del Sur averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.
In July, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than San Juan del Surin January. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)San Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or San Juan del Sur in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as San Juan del Sur. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year.
In October, Rio de Janeiro is generally cooler than San Juan del Surin April. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 23°C (73°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in October than San Juan del Surin April. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)San Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan del Sur and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | San Juan del Sur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 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.