Which place is cheaper, Bogota or San Juan del Sur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Juan del Sur or Bogota?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for San Juan del Sur and Bogota. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: San Juan del Sur or Bogota?
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.
Bogota
Sprawling across a high altitude in the Columbian Andes region, Bogota is the capital city of Columbia. It is a mix of the old and new with century-old plazas and churches shadowed by towering skyscrapers, museums representing the history, art, and culture of the region, as well as a mix of distinct neighborhoods from quaint and historic to trendy and contemporary.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan del Sur $53Bogota $53
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan del Sur is $53, while the average daily cost in Bogota 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 San Juan del Sur and Bogota in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan del Sur $21Bogota $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan del Sur $42Bogota $52
Compare Hotels in San Juan del Sur and Bogota
Looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur or Bogota? 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 Juan del Sur Hotel Prices and Bogota Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan del Sur $18Bogota $8.77
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bogota
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bogota are as follows:
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Taxi from Airport$7.56
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Taxi Ride$0.39
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2 Bus Passes$0.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bogota
Also for Bogota, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Andres Carne de Res Chia • Premium Private Transfer: $39
- Arrival Private Transfer Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota City in a Luxury Van: $134
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota City by Minibus: $124
- Arrival Transfer from Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota by MiniSuv: $66
- Bogotá Private Luxury Transfer - Airport Pick Up or Drop Off - SUV Mercedes Benz: $97
- Bogotá to or from Barichara or San Gil Private Transfer: $167
- Bogotá to or from Villa de Leyva Private Transfer: $80
- Bogotá to or from Villavieja or Tatacoa Desert Private Transfer: $167
- El Dorado International Airport (BOG) - Private Round trip transfer Bogota: $80
- Layover Bogotá Private Tour + Transfer in & Out (4 Hrs.) : $149
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: El Dorado Airport (One Way): $13
- Private Salt Cathedral and Nemocón Salt Mines + In & out Transfer + (8 hours): $242
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan del Sur or Bogota?
Prices for flights to both Bogota and San Juan del Sur 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 Juan del Sur $18Bogota $14
Typical Food Prices in Bogota
For Bogota, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$1.57
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Hot Dog$0.92
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bogota
For Bogota, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Peruvian cooking workshop: $26
- Bogotá Bites: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $45
- Viejo Bogota Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
- PALOQUEMAO MARKET FOOD TOUR. EXOTIC FRUIT. LOCAL SNACKS. /Min 2 pax: $55
- Bogota Food Tour • Private Car • Fruits Cacao Lunch Coffee Beer: $59
- Private Colombian Cooking Class and Market Tour In Bogota: $90
- Dinner and party at Andres Carne de Res DC: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan del Sur $15Bogota $13
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:
- ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA: $130
- Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Maderas, San Juan del Sur also in Costa Rica: $90
- Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur: $159
- SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $103
- San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour: $118
- atv tour also in Costa Rica: $132
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bogota
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Bogota's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Beer$1.31
Tours and Activities in Bogota
For Bogota, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Party Tour: 6 nightclubs, Disco-Truck, After Party, 2 openbars: $2.95
- Colonial Bogotá: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of La Candelaria: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - El Dorado Expedition, Part I : $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - El Dorado Expedition, Part II: $6.99
- Bike Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $12
- Graffiti Tour: a fascinating walk through a street art City: $13
- Graffiti Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $13
- Tour of the Colombian Armed Conflict: war, drug trafficking and peace: $13
- Shared Tour of the Historic Candelaria in Bogotá: $13
- Walking Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $14
- Walking Tour through Candelaria: $14
- Full Day Tour to the Colonial Town of Villa de Leyva: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan del Sur $13Bogota $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Bogota
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bogota:
- Thursday Bar Crawl in Bogotá: $25
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Bogotá : $25
- Saturday Bar Crawl in La Candelaria, Bogotá: $25
When comparing the travel costs between San Juan del Sur and Bogota, we can see that San Juan del Sur is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though San Juan del Sur is in Central America and Bogota is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Juan del Sur Expensive? and Is Bogota Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan del Sur or Bogota?
Bogota has a larger population, and is about 910 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of San Juan del Sur and Bogota, 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 Juan del Sur or Bogota?
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 Juan del Sur or Bogota in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to San Juan del Sur as well as Bogota. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bogota throughout the year.
San Juan del Sur receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Juan del Sur usually gets more rain in July than Bogota. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, San Juan del Sur is generally much warmer than Bogota. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 27°C (81°F), and Bogota fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)Bogota 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Bogota in the Autumn?
Both Bogota and San Juan del Sur are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Bogota because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bogota. It's quite rainy in San Juan del Sur. In October, San Juan del Sur usually receives more rain than Bogota. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
San Juan del Sur is much warmer than Bogota in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Bogota fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)Bogota 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Bogota in the Winter?
Both Bogota and San Juan del Sur during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bogota year-round.
San Juan del Sur usually gets less rain in January than Bogota. San Juan del Sur gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, San Juan del Sur is much warmer than Bogota. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan del Sur in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Bogota averages at about 14°C (57°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)Bogota 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Bogota in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan del Sur and Bogota. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round. Bogota attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, San Juan del Sur usually receives less rain than Bogota. San Juan del Sur gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, San Juan del Sur is generally much warmer than Bogota. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 29°C (84°F), and Bogota fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)Bogota 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Bogota and San Juan del Sur
| San Juan del Sur | Bogota | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 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.