Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or Salvador?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Salvador 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 Salvador 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: Salvador or San Juan del Sur?
Salvador
Salvador de Bahia was the first capital of Brazil, founded by the Portuguese in 1549. Also known as "Brazil's capital of happiness," Salvador is famous for its plentiful and spirited street festivals. The third most populous city in Brazil, Salvador is also well-known for its Afro-Brazilian culture and Portuguese colonial architecture.
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 Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $44San Juan del Sur $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $44, 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 Salvador and San Juan del Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24San Juan del Sur $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48San Juan del Sur $42
Compare Hotels in Salvador and San Juan del Sur
Looking for a hotel in Salvador 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: Salvador Hotel Prices and San Juan del Sur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salvador $6.02San Juan del Sur $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:
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Bus from Airport$1.17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:
- Airport Transfer - Sauipe Resorts 1 to 4 people by Salvador Receptivo: $65
- Airport Transfer x Salvador Hotel - Sedan 1 to 4 people: $30
- Airport Transfer-Grand Palladium Imbassai 1 to 4 people by Salvador Receptivo: $65
- Airport Transfer-Grand Palladium Imbassai 5 to 10 people by Salvador Receptivo: $95
- Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $16
- Costa de Sauipe Transfer - Private Executive Van: $160
- Executive Transfer - Salvador International Airport to Hotels or Residencia: $32
- Hotel Vila Galé Mares - Transfers In / Out: $80
- Ivan Bahia, Private Transfer Salvador BA to Lençois (Chapada Diamantina): $300
- One Way transfer : Salvador airport to/ from Salvador da Bahia : $43
- One-Way Private Transfer to Boipeba Island: $120
- Praia do Forte Private Transfer From Salvador : $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or San Juan del Sur?
Prices for flights to both San Juan del Sur and Salvador 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 daySalvador $13San Juan del Sur $18
Typical Food Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:
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Dinner for 2$1.37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.
- 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
- 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
- Private Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
- Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $132
- Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $140
- Baiana Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $152
- Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.67San Juan del Sur $15
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Salvador, Vitória & Barra: Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Salvador, Pelourinho: Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $7.84
- Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $13
- Panoramic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
- Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
- Full Day Tour to Frades Islands + Itaparica: $22
- Regular Tour to Forte Beach - Leaving Salvador by Bahia Top Turismo: $24
- Panoramic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $25
- Historic City Tour in Salvador: $25
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.38San Juan del Sur $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:
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Beers for 2$1.37
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Drinks$2.74
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and San Juan del Sur, we can see that San Juan del Sur is more expensive. And not only is Salvador much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Salvador 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 Salvador would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salvador 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 San Juan del Sur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Juan del Sur than you might in Salvador.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salvador Expensive? and Is San Juan del Sur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salvador or San Juan del Sur?
Salvador has a larger population, and is about 350 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of Salvador 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 Salvador or San Juan del Sur?
Salvador 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 Salvador or San Juan del Sur in the Summer?
Both San Juan del Sur and Salvador 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, Salvador is generally around the same temperature as San Juan del Surin July. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 27°C (81°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually receives more sunshine than San Juan del Sur during summer. Salvador gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan del Sur. It's quite rainy in Salvador. In January, Salvador usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan del Surin July. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySalvador 27°C (81°F)San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Salvador or San Juan del Sur in the Autumn?
Both San Juan del Sur and Salvador during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round.
Salvador is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur in the autumn. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
In the autumn, Salvador often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan del Surin October. Salvador gets 190 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 195 hours of full sun.
San Juan del Sur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in April than San Juan del Surin October. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSalvador 26°C (80°F)San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Salvador or San Juan del Sur in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and San Juan del Sur. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Salvador is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salvador in July average around 24°C (75°F), and San Juan del Sur averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan del Sur this time of the year. Salvador usually receives less sunshine than San Juan del Sur during winter. Salvador gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.
Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Salvador usually receives more rain than San Juan del Surin January. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySalvador 24°C (75°F)San Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Salvador or San Juan del Sur in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Salvador as well as San Juan del Sur. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year.
In October, Salvador is generally cooler than San Juan del Surin April. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 26°C (78°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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 Salvador this time of the year. In the spring, Salvador often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan del Surin April. Salvador gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 242 hours of full sun.
Salvador receives a lot of rain in the spring. Salvador usually gets more rain in October than San Juan del Surin April. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSalvador 26°C (78°F)San Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan del Sur and Salvador
| Salvador | San Juan del Sur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 310 mm (12.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 360 mm (14.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 175 mm (6.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 143 mm (5.6 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.