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

Should you visit San Juan del Sur or Leon?

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 Leon. 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 Leon?

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.

Leon

Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.

With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.

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 comparing the travel costs between San Juan del Sur and Leon, we can see that Leon is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Central America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Leon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Juan del Sur or Leon?

Leon 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 Leon, 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 Leon?

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 Leon in the Summer?

Both Leon and San Juan del Sur are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Leon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Leon. It's quite rainy in San Juan del Sur. In July, San Juan del Sur usually receives around the same amount of rain as Leon. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Leon 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 Leon during summer. San Juan del Sur gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Leon receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

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

Both Leon and San Juan del Sur during the autumn 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 Leon year-round.

Leon 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 October as Leon. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Leon 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 Leon. San Juan del Sur gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leon receives 195 hours of full sun.

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

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

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

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leon this time of the year. In San Juan del Sur, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan del Sur usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leon during winter. San Juan del Sur gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Leon receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

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

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

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Leon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan del Sur this time of the year. In the spring, San Juan del Sur often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leon. San Juan del Sur gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leon receives 242 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Leon and San Juan del Sur