Which city is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or San Ignacio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Ignacio vs. San Juan del Sur for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit San Ignacio 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 Ignacio 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 Ignacio or San Juan del Sur?
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!
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Ignacio $57San Juan del Sur $43
The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $57, while the average daily cost in San Juan del Sur is $43. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for San Ignacio and San Juan del Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Ignacio $15San Juan del Sur $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Ignacio $30San Juan del Sur $34
Compare Hotels in San Ignacio and San Juan del Sur
Looking for a hotel in San Ignacio 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: San Ignacio Hotel Prices and San Juan del Sur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Ignacio $2.48San Juan del Sur $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Belize International Airport to San Ignacio Hotels: $70
- Shared Departure Transfer: San Ignacio Hotel to Belize International Airport: $60
- Shared Departure Transfer: San Ignacio Hotels to Belize International Airport: $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan del Sur
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Juan del Sur:
- One-Way Private Transfer from San Juan del Sur to Managua: $146
Is it cheaper to fly into San Ignacio or San Juan del Sur?
Prices for flights to both San Juan del Sur 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
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Food Meals for one daySan Ignacio $16San Juan del Sur $15
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 from San Ignacio: $135
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Juan del Sur
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Juan del Sur.
- Food Tour - Nicaragua Gastronomy: $102
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Ignacio $79San Juan del Sur $12
Tours and Activities in San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cultural and Historical Walking Tour: $36
- Xunantunich Maya Site with Local Tour guide: $48
- Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour from San Ignacio: $62
- Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $70
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $72
- Farm Ride plus Xunantunich tour: $75
- Full-Day Mountain Pine Ridge Tour from San Ignacio with Lunch: $76
- Xunantunich Riding tour: $85
- Barton Creek Tour: $87
- Horseback Riding and Tour in San Lorenzo Organic Farm: $91
- Cave Tubing Adventure: $93
- Mopan River Kayaking and Xunantunich Tour from San Ignacio: $100
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:
- SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $100
- ATV Tour: $103
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Ignacio $14San Juan del Sur $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Ignacio and San Juan del Sur, we can see that San Ignacio is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 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 San Juan del Sur.
When is the best time to visit San Ignacio or San Juan del Sur?
Both destinations experience a tropical climate with warm 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 San Juan del Sur in the Summer?
Both San Juan del Sur and San Ignacio are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to San Ignacio throughout the year. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan del Sur. It's quite rainy in San Ignacio. In July, San Ignacio usually receives more rain than San Juan del Sur. San Ignacio gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. San Ignacio usually receives more sunshine than San Juan del Sur during summer. San Ignacio gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.
San Ignacio is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur in the summer. The temperature in San Ignacio is usually 28°C (82°F) in July, and San Juan del Sur stays around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Ignacio 28°C (82°F)San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or San Juan del Sur in the Autumn?
Both San Juan del Sur and San Ignacio during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Ignacio because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.
San Juan del Sur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. San Ignacio usually gets more rain in October than San Juan del Sur. San Ignacio gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur 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 San Juan del Sur. San Ignacio gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 195 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, San Ignacio is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Ignacio in October are around 26°C (80°F), and San Juan del Sur is about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Ignacio 26°C (80°F)San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or San Juan del Sur in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Ignacio and San Juan del Sur. San Ignacio attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate.
San Ignacio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, San Ignacio usually receives more rain than San Juan del Sur. San Ignacio gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan del Sur this time of the year. San Ignacio usually receives less sunshine than San Juan del Sur during winter. San Ignacio gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Ignacio is generally cooler than San Juan del Sur. Temperatures in San Ignacio average around 24°C (74°F), and San Juan del Sur stays around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Ignacio 24°C (74°F)San Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or San Juan del Sur in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Ignacio as well as San Juan del Sur. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to San Ignacio throughout the year. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year.
San Ignacio usually gets more rain in April than San Juan del Sur. San Ignacio gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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 San Ignacio this time of the year. In the spring, San Ignacio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan del Sur. San Ignacio gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 242 hours of full sun.
San Ignacio is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur in the spring. The temperature in San Ignacio is usually 27°C (80°F) in April, and San Juan del Sur stays around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Ignacio 27°C (80°F)San Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan del Sur and San Ignacio
| San Ignacio | San Juan del Sur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
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