Which place is cheaper, Lima 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 Lima?
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 Lima. 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 Lima?
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.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan del Sur $53Lima $77
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan del Sur is $53, while the average daily cost in Lima is $77. 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 Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan del Sur $21Lima $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan del Sur $42Lima $98
Compare Hotels in San Juan del Sur and Lima
Looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur or Lima? 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 Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan del Sur $18Lima $5.73
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Short Taxi Ride$4.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Airport Transfer Service in Lima: $95
- Assistance /Transfer Hotel - Airport Lima Airport : $40
- From The Larco Museum Complete Tour with transfers: $52
- J.Chavez Airport to Miraflores City Hotels- Round Trip Transfer: $41
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer : $31
- Jorge Chavez International Airport: Private Transfer: $25
- Lima : Private transfer between airport to your destination: $29
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer for small groups: $79
- Lima Airport Transfers: Jorge Chavez Airport LIM to Lima City in Standard Van: $31
- Lima Airport Transfers: Lima City to Jorge Chavez Airport LIM in Standard Van: $31
- Lima Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Lima city center: $6.00
- Lima Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Miraflores: $5.63
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan del Sur or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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 $18Lima $18
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.34
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Ice cream$3.53
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Coffee$2.99
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Donut$0.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
- Lima Night Food Tour: $48
- Lima Market Food Tour: $52
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan del Sur $15Lima $8.66
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.31
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Free Walking Tour of Lima: $2.00
- Customize your trip to Peru with Lima Experience: $12
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $13
- Skip the Line: Peruvian Regional Dances Ticket: $14
- Barranco Street Art Tour: $17
- Party tour Fridays Barranco / Saturdays Miraflores: $18
- Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
- Guided and Private Bike Tour of Lima: $20
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $20
- Lima Downtown Tour from Miraflores in 3 hrs: $21
- Historic Center Walking Tour with Pisco Sour Tasting: $25
- Costa Verde Express Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan del Sur $13Lima $5.63
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.30
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Beer$4.07
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Cocktail$3.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Party tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $25
- Local Wine Tour: $50
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Oasis + Wine Tour !! The best price: $226
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan del Sur and Lima, we can see that Lima 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 Lima is in South 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima 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 Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan del Sur or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 990 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of San Juan del Sur and Lima, 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 Lima?
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 Lima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan del Sur and Lima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
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 Lima. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
San Juan del Sur usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. San Juan del Sur gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, San Juan del Sur is generally much warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 27°C (81°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Juan del Sur as well as Lima. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
San Juan del Sur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan del Sur usually gets more rain in October than Lima. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, San Juan del Sur often gets more sunshine than Lima. San Juan del Sur gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
San Juan del Sur is a little warmer than Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima 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 Lima 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 Lima. San Juan del Sur gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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 Lima during winter. San Juan del Sur gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, San Juan del Sur is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan del Sur in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima 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 Lima year-round.
San Juan del Sur usually gets more rain in April than Lima. San Juan del Sur gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in San Juan del Sur. In the spring, San Juan del Sur often gets more sunshine than Lima. San Juan del Sur gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
In April, San Juan del Sur is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 29°C (84°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and San Juan del Sur
| San Juan del Sur | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.