A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Juan del Sur vs. Key Largo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Juan del Sur or Key Largo?

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 Key Largo. 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 Key Largo?

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.

Key Largo

As the lustrous emerald waters ebb and flow against your sandy toes, you find yourself cooled by the gentle breeze as you bask under a golden sun. To you, it's paradise. To everyone else, it's Key Largo. Located in the northernmost of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known as the dive capital of the world due to its well-preserved coral reefs and clear waters. Just an hour-drive from South Florida's major airports, Key Largo boasts in containing a vast biodiversity, such as tropical hardwoods, creeks, two state parks, a national park, and a portion of a national marine sanctuary. Besides its natural beauty, Key Largo is overflowing with top restaurants and chic boutiques. It is no wonder that Key Largo became a hotspot for Hollywood beach scenes, with even a movie holding its namesake! Whether you look to get your fun by land or by water, there is something for everyone at Key Largo!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan del Sur and Key Largo, we can see that Key Largo is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan del Sur is in Central America and Key Largo is in North 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 San Juan del Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan del Sur 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 Key Largo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key Largo than you might in San Juan del Sur.

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 Key Largo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Juan del Sur or Key Largo?

Key Largo has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of San Juan del Sur and Key Largo, 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 Key Largo?

Key Largo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Juan del Sur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Key Largo in the Summer?

Both Key Largo and San Juan del Sur during the summer 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. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Key Largo because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Key Largo. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Juan del Sur in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Key Largo averages at about 82°F (28°C).

In Key Largo, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, San Juan del Sur often gets less sunshine than Key Largo. San Juan del Sur gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key Largo receives 316 hours of full sun.

Key Largo 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 around the same amount of rain in July as Key Largo. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan del Sur and Key Largo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round.

In October, San Juan del Sur is generally around the same temperature as Key Largo. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 27°C (81°F), and Key Largo fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key Largo this time of the year. San Juan del Sur usually receives less sunshine than Key Largo during autumn. San Juan del Sur gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Key Largo receives 275 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Key Largo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan del Sur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Juan del Sur usually receives more rain than Key Largo. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to San Juan del Sur as well as Key Largo. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Key Largo for the cuisine.

San Juan del Sur is a little warmer than Key Largo in the winter. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Key Largo fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan del Sur this time of the year. In the winter, San Juan del Sur often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Key Largo. San Juan del Sur gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key Largo receives 243 hours of full sun.

San Juan del Sur usually gets less rain in January than Key Largo. San Juan del Sur gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Key Largo and San Juan del Sur are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Key Largo in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, San Juan del Sur is a little warmer than Key Largo. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Juan del Sur in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Key Largo averages at about 74°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Key Largo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan del Sur. San Juan del Sur usually receives less sunshine than Key Largo during spring. San Juan del Sur gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Key Largo receives 300 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, San Juan del Sur usually receives less rain than Key Largo. San Juan del Sur gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Key Largo and San Juan del Sur