A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Ignacio vs. Isla de Ometepe for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Ignacio or Isla de Ometepe?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Ignacio or Isla de Ometepe, 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 Ignacio or Isla de Ometepe?

San Ignacio

So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.

You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.

This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!

Isla de Ometepe

Ometepe is a dramatically beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua. The island is the largest in the lake and is formed by two dramatic twin volcanoes that climb high from the water's surface. The two volcanoes are Concepcion and Maderas, and they are joined by an isthmus to make one island with an area of 276 square kilometers. The island is 31 kilometers long and between 5 and 10 kilometers wide. There are several small settlements on the island as well as a few coffee plantations. It is also one of the top sights in the country and makes for a unique travel destination.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.


Which place is cheaper, Isla de Ometepe or San Ignacio?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $72, while the average daily cost in Isla de Ometepe is $34. 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 San Ignacio and Isla de Ometepe in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Ignacio $19
    Isla de Ometepe $13
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Ignacio $38
    Isla de Ometepe $26
Compare Hotels in San Ignacio and Isla de Ometepe

Looking for a hotel in San Ignacio or Isla de Ometepe? 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.

Hotels in San Ignacio


Hotels in Isla de Ometepe


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 Ignacio Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Ignacio $3.11
    Isla de Ometepe $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:

  • From Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala: $20
  • San Ignacio Hotel to Belize City Transfer: $20

Is it cheaper to fly into San Ignacio or Isla de Ometepe?

Prices for flights to both Isla de Ometepe and San Ignacio 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 day
    San Ignacio $21
    Isla de Ometepe $13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.

  • Xunantunich & Food Tour with local chocolate experience: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Ignacio $100
    Isla de Ometepe $13

Tours and Activities in San Ignacio

Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Xunantunich Maya Site with Local Tour guide: $65
  • Half-Day Cave Canoeing Adventure: $75
  • From Xunantunich Mayan Tour & Optional Combos: $75
  • Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour from San Ignacio: $75
  • Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $80
  • Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $90
  • Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
  • Farm Ride plus Xunantunich tour: $90
  • Barton Creek Tour: $98
  • Full-Day Mountain Pine Ridge Tour from San Ignacio with Lunch: $100
  • Xunantunich horseback riding tour: $100
  • Cave Tubing Adventure at Nohoch Che'en and Jaguar Paw : $115

Tours and Activities in Isla de Ometepe

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla de Ometepe are as follows:

  • A great tour day for the ISLAND OF OMETEPE.: $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Ignacio $17
    Isla de Ometepe $8.85


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Ignacio and Isla de Ometepe, we can see that San Ignacio is more expensive. And not only is Isla de Ometepe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Isla de Ometepe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Isla de Ometepe 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 Ignacio would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Ignacio than you might in Isla de Ometepe.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Ignacio Expensive? and Is Isla de Ometepe Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit San Ignacio or Isla de Ometepe?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit San Ignacio or Isla de Ometepe in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Ignacio and Isla de Ometepe. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Ignacio year-round. Isla de Ometepe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Isla de Ometepe receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Ignacio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, San Ignacio usually receives more rain than Isla de Ometepe. San Ignacio gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In San Ignacio, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Ignacio usually receives more sunshine than Isla de Ometepe during summer. San Ignacio gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Isla de Ometepe receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, San Ignacio is generally around the same temperature as Isla de Ometepe. Daily temperatures in San Ignacio average around 28°C (82°F), and Isla de Ometepe fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    San Ignacio 28°C (82°F) 
    Isla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit San Ignacio or Isla de Ometepe in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to San Ignacio as well as Isla de Ometepe. San Ignacio attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Isla de Ometepe throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Isla de Ometepe. San Ignacio receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Ignacio usually gets more rain in October than Isla de Ometepe. San Ignacio gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, San Ignacio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Isla de Ometepe. San Ignacio gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Isla de Ometepe receives 195 hours of full sun.

San Ignacio is around the same temperature as Isla de Ometepe in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Ignacio averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Isla de Ometepe fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    San Ignacio 26°C (80°F) 
    Isla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit San Ignacio or Isla de Ometepe in the Winter?

Both Isla de Ometepe and San Ignacio are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Ignacio throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Isla de Ometepe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in San Ignacio. In January, San Ignacio usually receives more rain than Isla de Ometepe. San Ignacio gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Isla de Ometepe. San Ignacio usually receives less sunshine than Isla de Ometepe during winter. San Ignacio gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Isla de Ometepe receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, San Ignacio is cooler than Isla de Ometepe. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Ignacio in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Isla de Ometepe averages at about 26°C (79°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    San Ignacio 24°C (74°F) 
    Isla de Ometepe 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit San Ignacio or Isla de Ometepe in the Spring?

Both Isla de Ometepe and San Ignacio during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Ignacio because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Isla de Ometepe year-round.

San Ignacio usually gets more rain in April than Isla de Ometepe. San Ignacio gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Isla de Ometepe, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Ignacio. In the spring, San Ignacio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Isla de Ometepe. San Ignacio gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Isla de Ometepe receives 242 hours of full sun.

In April, San Ignacio is generally around the same temperature as Isla de Ometepe. Daily temperatures in San Ignacio average around 27°C (80°F), and Isla de Ometepe fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    San Ignacio 27°C (80°F) 
    Isla de Ometepe 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Isla de Ometepe and San Ignacio

San Ignacio Isla de Ometepe
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (74°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 25 mm (1 in) 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 52 mm (2 in) 29°C (84°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 29°C (84°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 243 mm (9.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 187 mm (7.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 151 mm (5.9 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in)
Oct 26°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in) 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.8 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 31°C (88°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 25°C (76°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)