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

Should you visit San Juan del Sur or Caracas?

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 Caracas. 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 Caracas?

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.

Caracas

Caracas is the capital city of Venezuela, and also the country's largest city. It's in the northern portion of the country and is close to the Caribbean. While Caracas may not be a major travel destination in Venezuela, it can offer interesting insight into the country's urban character. It has a great art, culinary, and music culture that truly bring the city to life. The beautiful Mount Avila overlooks the city and separates the city from the Caribbean Sea. Many locals and visitors alike head to the mountain as a quick escape. You can reach it by taking a cable car that carries you up to the SWaraira Repano Park at the very top.

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 Juan del Sur and Caracas, we can see that San Juan del Sur is more expensive. And not only is Caracas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan del Sur is in Central America and Caracas is in South 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 Caracas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Caracas 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 Juan del Sur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Juan del Sur than you might in Caracas.

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 Caracas Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Juan del Sur or Caracas?

Caracas has a larger population, and is about 230 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of San Juan del Sur and Caracas, 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 Caracas?

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 Juan del Sur or Caracas in the Summer?

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

It's quite rainy in San Juan del Sur. In July, San Juan del Sur usually receives more rain than Caracas. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Caracas receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

It's quite sunny in Caracas. San Juan del Sur usually receives less sunshine than Caracas during summer. San Juan del Sur gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Caracas receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

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

Both Caracas and San Juan del Sur during the autumn 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 Caracas year-round.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan del Sur. San Juan del Sur usually gets more rain in October than Caracas. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Caracas receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Caracas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, San Juan del Sur often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Caracas. San Juan del Sur gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caracas receives 208 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Caracas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan del Sur in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Caracas averages at about 28°C (83°F).

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

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

In January, San Juan del Sur usually receives less rain than Caracas. San Juan del Sur gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Caracas receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Caracas this time of the year. In San Juan del Sur, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan del Sur usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Caracas during winter. San Juan del Sur gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Caracas receives 233 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

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

The spring brings many poeple to San Juan del Sur as well as Caracas. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Caracas throughout the year.

San Juan del Sur usually gets less rain in April than Caracas. San Juan del Sur gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Caracas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan del Sur this time of the year. In the spring, San Juan del Sur often gets more sunshine than Caracas. San Juan del Sur gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caracas receives 183 hours of full sun.

San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Caracas in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Caracas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Typical Weather for Caracas and San Juan del Sur