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

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, 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 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.

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 Granada Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Juan del Sur or Granada?

Granada has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of San Juan del Sur and Granada, 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 Granada?

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 Granada in the Summer?

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

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 average around 27°C (81°F), and Granada averages at about 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 sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Granada throughout the year.

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. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 27°C (81°F), and Granada fluctuates around 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 climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts 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 daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Granada fluctuates around 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 climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Granada year-round.

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 average around 29°C (84°F), and Granada averages at about 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Granada and San Juan del Sur