Which place is cheaper, Boquete or San Juan del Sur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit San Juan del Sur or Boquete?
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 Boquete. 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 Boquete?
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.
Boquete
Boquete is a village located in the pacific west of Panama. This town very recently became an attractive destination for tourists and expatriates. Before the early 2000's, it was a quiet town hidden away in the mountains with very little tourism. After the development of Valle Escondido, which is a largely residential area, many North Americans flocked to this town and an expat community developed. Boquete is known for it's near perfect year round temperature of about seventy degrees Fahrenheit, beautiful untouched nature, and world renowned coffee.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.
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San Juan del Sur Prices
Nicaragua PricesBoquete Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan del Sur $72Boquete $67
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan del Sur is $72, while the average daily cost in Boquete is $67. 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 Boquete in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan del Sur $26Boquete $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan del Sur $52Boquete $44
Compare Hotels in San Juan del Sur and Boquete
Looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur or Boquete? 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 Boquete Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan del Sur $18Boquete $5.22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan del Sur
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Juan del Sur:
- Granada: One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boquete
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boquete:
- Private transfer from Boquete to Bocas del Toro: $165
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan del Sur or Boquete?
Prices for flights to both Boquete 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 $32Boquete $32
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.
- Mombacho Volcano Adventure Tour with Dinner: $235
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan del Sur $15Boquete $17
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:
- Gran Nelson Xtreme Zipline Adventure: $45
- La Flor Beach Natural Reserve Bus Tour: $80
- Surfing Adventure Morning in San Juan del Sur: $105
- Kayak and Paddle Boarding Adventure in San Juan del Sur: $105
- Surf and Paradise View Tour in San Juan del Sur: $129
- Masaya Volcano Tour in Nicaragua: $130
- ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA: $145
- SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $150
- 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
- Catamaran Cruise with Meals in San Juan del Sur: $220
- Whale Watching Adventure in San Juan del Sur: $250
Tours and Activities in Boquete
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boquete are as follows:
- Taste Panama Coffee Tasting Experience: $15
- Coffee Tasting Experience-Los Molinos Hotel-Panama's Top Product: $25
- Roast Your Own Coffee: Bajo Boquete Expert-Led Experience: $25
- Cloud Forest Wildlife Hike Tour: $36
- Cangilones Mini Canyons Tour: $38
- Hands-On Coffee Experience with Tasting: $40
- Small, Hands-on Coffee Tour: $46
- Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
- Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
- River Tubing - Fun and Nature Experience: $55
- Tubing Adventure on the Cochea River: $55
- Epic Cloud Forest Horseback Riding Adventure in Boquete: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan del Sur $13Boquete $4.45
When comparing the travel costs between San Juan del Sur and Boquete, 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. Since both cities are in Central America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Boquete Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan del Sur or Boquete?
San Juan del Sur has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Boquete. When comparing the sizes of San Juan del Sur and Boquete, 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.
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.