A Travel Price Comparison for Nicaragua San Juan del Sur vs. Granada for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit San Juan del Sur or Granada?

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 Granada. 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 Granada?

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.

Granada

Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.

Which city is cheaper, Granada or San Juan del Sur?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan del Sur is $43, while the average daily cost in Granada is $32. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for San Juan del Sur and Granada in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Juan del Sur $17
    Granada $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Juan del Sur $34
    Granada $28
Compare Hotels in San Juan del Sur and Granada

Looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur or Granada? 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.

Hotels in San Juan del Sur


Hotels in Granada


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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 Granada Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Juan del Sur $14
    Granada $6.88

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan del Sur

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Juan del Sur:

  • One-Way Private Transfer from San Juan del Sur to Managua: $146

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Granada:

  • Granada Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $51
  • Granada Airport Private Departure Transfer: $51
  • Granada Private Departure Transfer: $51
  • Granada Private Transfer from the city centre to Granada Airport: $62
  • Granada Private Transfer to Seville with a Visit to Cordoba: $348
  • Granada airport private arrival transfer, Mercedes Sedan: $81
  • Granada airport private arrival transfer, Mercedes minivan: $107
  • Granada to Cordoba Private Transfer: $275
  • Granada to Malaga Airport Private Transfer: $216
  • Granada to Seville Private Transfer: $388
  • Private Transfer IN or OUT in Upscale Vehicle with Professional Driver: $93
  • One-Way Private Transfer from Granada to Managua: $83

Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan del Sur or Granada?

Prices for flights to both Granada 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 day
    San Juan del Sur $15
    Granada $11

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.

  • Food Tour - Nicaragua Gastronomy: $102

Typical Food prices in Granada

Some typical examples of dining costs in Granada are as follows:


  • Pizza
    $2.30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Granada

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Granada.

  • Middle Eastern 6-course dinner in Granada with a professional chef: $49
  • Albaicín & Sacromonte Guided Walking Tour with Flamenco & Tapas Dinner: $81
  • Small Group Food Tour in Granada: $88
  • Spanish Tapas Cooking Class in Granada: $116

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Juan del Sur $12
    Granada $8.36

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:

  • SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $100
  • ATV Tour: $103
  • 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

Typical Entertainment prices in Granada

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Granada are as follows:


  • Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour
    $8.21

Tours and Activities in Granada

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Granada are as follows:

  • Self-guided Virtual Tour of Alhambra Palace: The Highlights: $11
  • Albaicin and Sacromonte Walking Tour: $12
  • Jewish and Christian Neighborhoods Guided Tour: $13
  • Illustration Walking Tours in Albayzin Granada: $15
  • Granada Walking Tour: $15
  • Granada Walking Tour: Albaicin and Sacromonte Quarters: $16
  • Albaicin & Sacromonte regular tour: $17
  • Albaicin & Sacromonte nigth tour: $17
  • Tour De Misterios Y Leyendas Por Granada: $17
  • Tour Albaicín y Sacromonte: $17
  • Tour Albaicín & Sacromonte: $17
  • Granada Private Tour: The remarkable monasteries of Granada: $19

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Juan del Sur $11
    Granada $6.03

Typical Alcohol prices in Granada

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Granada:


  • Tequila
    $1.37

Sample the Local Flavors in Granada

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Granada:

  • Wine Tasting in Granada: $57
  • Granada Tapas and wine tour!: $67
  • Granada Traditional Tapas and Wine Tour - by Oh My Good Guide!: $81
  • Small-Group Granada Tapas Bar Crawl Evening Tasting Experience: $83
  • BEST OF Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour - by OhMyGoodGuide!: $106

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan del Sur and Granada, we can see that San Juan del Sur is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 Granada.


When is the best time to visit San Juan del Sur or Granada?

Both destinations experience a tropical climate with warm 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 Granada in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan del Sur and Granada. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.

Granada receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Juan del Sur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, San Juan del Sur usually receives around the same amount of rain as Granada. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Granada receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

San Juan del Sur usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Granada during summer. San Juan del Sur gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.

In the summer, San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Granada. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Juan del Sur in July are around 27°C (81°F), and Granada is about 27°C (81°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F) 
    Granada 27°C (81°F)

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

The autumn brings many poeple to San Juan del Sur as well as Granada. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate. Granada attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate.

It's quite rainy in Granada. San Juan del Sur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan del Sur usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Granada. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Granada receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

In October, San Juan del Sur is generally around the same temperature as Granada. Temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 27°C (81°F), and Granada stays around 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F) 
    Granada 27°C (81°F)

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

Both Granada and San Juan del Sur are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Granada throughout the year.

In January, San Juan del Sur usually receives around the same amount of rain as Granada. San Juan del Sur gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Granada receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Granada. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan del Sur. San Juan del Sur usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Granada during winter. San Juan del Sur gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.

San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Granada in the winter. The temperature in San Juan del Sur is usually 26°C (79°F) in January, and Granada stays around 26°C (79°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    San Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F) 
    Granada 26°C (79°F)

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

Both Granada and San Juan del Sur during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.

San Juan del Sur usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Granada. San Juan del Sur gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Granada receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan del Sur. In the spring, San Juan del Sur often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Granada. San Juan del Sur gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 242 hours of full sun.

In the spring, San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Granada. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Juan del Sur in April are around 29°C (84°F), and Granada is about 29°C (84°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    San Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F) 
    Granada 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Granada and San Juan del Sur

San Juan del Sur Granada
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 29°C (84°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
May 29°C (84°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 29°C (84°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 144 mm (5.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 151 mm (5.9 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.8 in)
Nov 31°C (88°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 31°C (88°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)


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San Juan del Sur vs. Granada Travel Comparison

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