Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or San Juan del Sur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit San Juan del Sur or Cuenca?
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 Cuenca. 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 Cuenca?
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.
Cuenca
Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan del Sur $53Cuenca $42
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan del Sur is $53, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $42. 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 Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan del Sur $21Cuenca $13
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan del Sur $42Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in San Juan del Sur and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur or Cuenca? 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 Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan del Sur $18Cuenca $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
-
Taxi Ride$2.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
- Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.: $104
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Cuenca: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan del Sur or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca 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
-
Food Meals for one daySan Juan del Sur $18Cuenca $15
Typical Food Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:
-
Lunch$10
-
Snacks$5.00
-
Empanada$1.50
-
Hot Dog$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cuenca.
- Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
- Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
- Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour from Cuenca): $112
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan del Sur $15Cuenca $16
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:
- Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Maderas, San Juan del Sur also in Costa Rica: $90
- SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $103
- San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour: $118
- ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA: $130
- atv tour also in Costa Rica: $132
- Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur: $159
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca, Ecuador Half-Day City Shared Tour: $25
- Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
- Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $30
- Private Cuenca City Tour including Turi Viewpoint: $40
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
- El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
- Experience Historical City Tour: $44
- City Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Cuenca, Ecuador Half-Day City Tour: $46
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $48
- Cuenca City Tour: $48
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $49
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan del Sur $13Cuenca $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan del Sur and Cuenca, we can see that San Juan del Sur is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan del Sur is in Central America and Cuenca 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 Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca 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 Cuenca.
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 Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan del Sur or Cuenca?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of San Juan del Sur and Cuenca, 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 Cuenca?
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 Cuenca in the Summer?
Both Cuenca 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 Cuenca 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 Cuenca. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
San Juan del Sur is a little warmer than Cuenca in the summer. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Cuenca in the Autumn?
Both Cuenca 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 Cuenca 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 Cuenca. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, San Juan del Sur is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan del Sur in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Cuenca averages at about 12°C (54°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Cuenca in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan del Sur and Cuenca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, San Juan del Sur usually receives less rain than Cuenca. San Juan del Sur gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Cuenca can get quite cold in the winter. In January, San Juan del Sur is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 26°C (79°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Cuenca in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Juan del Sur as well as Cuenca. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
San Juan del Sur usually gets less rain in April than Cuenca. San Juan del Sur gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
San Juan del Sur is much warmer than Cuenca in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and San Juan del Sur
| San Juan del Sur | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.