Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or San Juan del Sur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for San Juan del Sur and Cartagena. 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.
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.
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan del Sur is $53, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $48. 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 Cartagena in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur or Cartagena? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
Prices for flights to both Cartagena 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
Here are a few actual costs in San Juan del Sur for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between San Juan del Sur and Cartagena, 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 Cartagena 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 Cartagena Expensive?.
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of San Juan del Sur and Cartagena, 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.
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.
Both Cartagena 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 Cartagena 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 Cartagena. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. San Juan del Sur usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during summer. San Juan del Sur gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
Both Cartagena 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 Cartagena year-round.
Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. 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 Cartagena. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, San Juan del Sur often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. San Juan del Sur gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan del Sur in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan del Sur and Cartagena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, San Juan del Sur usually receives less rain than Cartagena. San Juan del Sur gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena 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 less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. San Juan del Sur gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Juan del Sur is generally around the same temperature as Cartagena. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 26°C (79°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The spring brings many poeple to San Juan del Sur as well as Cartagena. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
San Juan del Sur usually gets less rain in April than Cartagena. San Juan del Sur gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. 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 Cartagena. San Juan del Sur gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
San Juan del Sur | Cartagena | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |