Which place is cheaper, La Paz or San Juan del Sur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Juan del Sur or La Paz?
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 La Paz. 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 La Paz?
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.
La Paz
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It has a population of about 215,000 people and is a significant commercial center for the region. The city has a good economy and a high standard of living when compared to much of Mexico. Much of the economy is focused on eco-tourism and there are many protected marine environments in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan del Sur $53La Paz $118
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan del Sur is $53, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $118. 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 La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan del Sur $21La Paz $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan del Sur $42La Paz $104
Compare Hotels in San Juan del Sur and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur or La Paz? 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 La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan del Sur $18La Paz $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Paz:
- La Paz Airport to Costa Baja Private Roundtrip Transfer: $89
- La Paz Airport: Private Roundtrip Transfer to La Ventan: $259
- La Paz Int. Airport (LAP): Private Transfer to La Paz hotels: $174
- Roundtrip Transfer to La Paz International Airport: $73
- Private Transfer from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan del Sur or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz 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
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Food Meals for one daySan Juan del Sur $18La Paz $38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Paz.
- 4 Hours of Guided La Paz Street Food Tour: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan del Sur $15La Paz $13
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 La Paz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Paz are as follows:
- Transparent Boat Tour with Mushroom Rock: $64
- Pearls of Pearl Farm Experience: $64
- Half Day Sandboarding and Paddleboarding Experience in La Paz: $81
- Unique Mexican Spirits Tasting & Pairing Experience: $85
- Sunset Sandboarding at La Paz Dunes Tour: $89
- City Tour & Beaches from La Paz: $91
- Supercombo 2-Day City Tour: $105
- Half Day Private Tour of the Beaches of La Paz: $113
- From Los Cabos: City Tour La Paz, Balandra and Todos Santos: $115
- holy spirit island tour: $116
- Los Cabos Tour from La Paz: $119
- Snorkel Tour with Whale Shark in La Paz: $119
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan del Sur $13La Paz $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan del Sur and La Paz, we can see that La Paz 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 La Paz 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 La Paz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Paz 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 La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan del Sur or La Paz?
La Paz has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of San Juan del Sur and La Paz, 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 La Paz?
La Paz 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 La Paz in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan del Sur and La Paz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
San Juan del Sur is cooler than La Paz in the summer. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and La Paz fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. San Juan del Sur usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during summer. San Juan del Sur gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 287 hours of full sun 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 more rain than La Paz. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)La Paz 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or La Paz in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Juan del Sur as well as La Paz. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the shopping scene are the main draw to La Paz this time of year.
In the autumn, San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as La Paz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan del Sur in October average around 27°C (81°F), and La Paz averages at about 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. In the autumn, San Juan del Sur often gets less sunshine than La Paz. San Juan del Sur gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 272 hours of full sun.
San Juan del Sur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan del Sur usually gets more rain in October than La Paz. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)La Paz 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or La Paz in the Winter?
Both La Paz 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. Also, many travelers come to La Paz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, San Juan del Sur is generally a little warmer than La Paz. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 26°C (79°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
It's quite sunny in La Paz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan del Sur. San Juan del Sur usually receives more sunshine than La Paz during winter. San Juan del Sur gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Juan del Sur usually receives less rain than La Paz. San Juan del Sur gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)La Paz 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or La Paz in the Spring?
Both La Paz 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. Also, many visitors come to La Paz in the spring for the beaches.
San Juan del Sur is a little warmer than La Paz in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and La Paz fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In La Paz, 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 less sunshine than La Paz. San Juan del Sur gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 292 hours of full sun.
San Juan del Sur usually gets more rain in April than La Paz. San Juan del Sur gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)La Paz 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for La Paz and San Juan del Sur
| San Juan del Sur | La Paz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 21 mm (0.8 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.