A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Fernando vs. San Juan del Sur for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Fernando 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 San Fernando 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: San Fernando or San Juan del Sur?

San Fernando

As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Fernando and San Juan del Sur, we can see that San Fernando is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Fernando 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 San Fernando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Fernando 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 San Fernando Expensive? and Is San Juan del Sur Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Fernando or San Juan del Sur?

San Fernando has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of San Fernando 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 San Fernando or San Juan del Sur?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit San Fernando or San Juan del Sur in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to San Fernando as well as San Juan del Sur. San Fernando 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. San Fernando receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Fernando usually gets more rain in July than San Juan del Sur. San Fernando gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando this time of the year. In the summer, San Fernando often gets more sunshine than San Juan del Sur. San Fernando gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 175 hours of full sun.

San Fernando is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur in the summer. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit San Fernando or San Juan del Sur in the Autumn?

Both San Juan del Sur and San Fernando are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan del Sur. It's quite rainy in San Fernando. In October, San Fernando usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan del Sur. San Fernando gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan del Sur during autumn. San Fernando gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, San Fernando is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Fernando in October average around 27°C (81°F), and San Juan del Sur averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit San Fernando or San Juan del Sur in the Winter?

Both San Juan del Sur and San Fernando during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Fernando 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.

San Fernando usually gets more rain in January than San Juan del Sur. San Fernando gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 4 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 San Fernando. In the winter, San Fernando often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan del Sur. San Fernando gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 244 hours of full sun.

In January, San Fernando is generally around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 26°C (78°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit San Fernando or San Juan del Sur in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Fernando and San Juan del Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Fernando year-round. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, San Fernando usually receives more rain than San Juan del Sur. San Fernando gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan del Sur this time of the year. In San Fernando, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Fernando usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan del Sur during spring. San Fernando gets 238 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.

San Fernando is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur in the spring. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for San Juan del Sur and San Fernando