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

Should you visit San Juan del Sur or Isla de Ometepe?

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 Isla de Ometepe. 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 Isla de Ometepe?

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.

Isla de Ometepe

Ometepe is a dramatically beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua. The island is the largest in the lake and is formed by two dramatic twin volcanoes that climb high from the water's surface. The two volcanoes are Concepcion and Maderas, and they are joined by an isthmus to make one island with an area of 276 square kilometers. The island is 31 kilometers long and between 5 and 10 kilometers wide. There are several small settlements on the island as well as a few coffee plantations. It is also one of the top sights in the country and makes for a unique travel destination.

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 Isla de Ometepe, we can see that San Juan del Sur is more expensive. And not only is Isla de Ometepe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Isla de Ometepe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe.

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 Isla de Ometepe Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit San Juan del Sur or Isla de Ometepe?

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 Isla de Ometepe in the Summer?

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

Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe during summer. San Juan del Sur gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Isla de Ometepe receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, San Juan del Sur is generally around the same temperature as Isla de Ometepe. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 27°C (81°F), and Isla de Ometepe fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Isla de Ometepe in the Autumn?

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

It's quite rainy in Isla de Ometepe. 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 Isla de Ometepe. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe. San Juan del Sur gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Isla de Ometepe receives 195 hours of full sun.

San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Isla de Ometepe in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Isla de Ometepe fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Isla de Ometepe in the Winter?

Both Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe. San Juan del Sur gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Isla de Ometepe. 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 Isla de Ometepe during winter. San Juan del Sur gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Isla de Ometepe receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Isla de Ometepe. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan del Sur in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Isla de Ometepe averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Isla de Ometepe in the Spring?

Both Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe year-round.

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

In Isla de Ometepe, 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 Isla de Ometepe. San Juan del Sur gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Isla de Ometepe receives 242 hours of full sun.

In April, San Juan del Sur is generally around the same temperature as Isla de Ometepe. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 29°C (84°F), and Isla de Ometepe fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Isla de Ometepe and San Juan del Sur