Which place is cheaper, Managua or San Juan del Sur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit San Juan del Sur or Managua?
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 Managua. 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 Managua?
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.
Managua
Managua is the capital, and largest city in Nicaragua. The economy is generally centered around the trade of coffee, cotton, and other types of agriculture. It also is a textile capital for the area. Managua is also a very reasonably priced destination in Central America. Restaurants and hotels are quite affordable and you'll find all kinds of international cuisine around the city. Transportation is also incredibly affordable and you'll find yourself pleasantly surprised at the cost of intercity bus rides.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan del Sur $53Managua $54
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan del Sur is $53, while the average daily cost in Managua is $54. 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 Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan del Sur $21Managua $23
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan del Sur $42Managua $46
Compare Hotels in San Juan del Sur and Managua
Looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur or Managua? 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 Managua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan del Sur $17Managua $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan del Sur
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Juan del Sur:
- Granada: One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $39
- From One way shared transfer to Rivas: $39
- San Jorge: One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from and To Poneloya or Las Peñitas Beach- Leon, Nicaragua: $68
- From Leon: One way shared transfer to Managua: $39
- From One way shared transfer to Granada: $39
- From One way shared transfer to San Jorge: $59
- From San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Leon: $39
- Granada: Managua to Granada Airport private transfer: $75
- Granada: One way shared transfer to Managua: $39
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $68
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $34
- Managua to Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) - Departure Transfer: $34
- Managua-Leon: Airport private transfer from to Managua /Leon: $100
- Managua-San juan del sur: Airport private transfer: $125
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan del Sur or Managua?
Prices for flights to both Managua 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
-
Food Meals for one daySan Juan del Sur $18Managua $17
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan del Sur $15Managua $16
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
- Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur: $159
- Private Tour Zipline and Adventure Park from San Juan del Sur: $154
- Private Tour to Granada Colonial City and 365 Islets: $130
- SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $103
- San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour: $118
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
- Private lava tour-Masaya Volcano from Managua: $49
- Masaya Volcano Tour: $53
- Laguna de Apoyo Day pass plus Masaya Volcano Night Tour: $60
- PRIVATE Day trip Granada Isletas +Colonial City tour from Managua: $68
- Granada Isletas and City tour: $68
- PRIVATE Laguna de apoyo day pass + masaya volcano lava tour: $70
- PRIVATE Boat ride + Colonial city tour at Granada+Catarina lookout: $80
- Managua City Tour: $84
- PRIVATE Boat tour + Granada City + Catarina lookout: $85
- full tour Somoto Canyon Nicaragua: $86
- PRIVATE Granada+Apoyo Lagoon and Masaya volcano night tour: $96
- Managua City Tour: $98
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan del Sur $13Managua $11
When comparing the travel costs between San Juan del Sur and Managua, we can see that Managua 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 Managua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan del Sur or Managua?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of San Juan del Sur and Managua, 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 Managua?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Managua in the Summer?
Both Managua 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round.
Managua 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 Managua. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Managua receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, San Juan del Sur often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Managua. San Juan del Sur gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 175 hours of full sun.
In July, San Juan del Sur is generally around the same temperature as Managua. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 27°C (81°F), and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Managua in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan del Sur and Managua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Managua 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 around the same amount of rain as Managua. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Managua receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
San Juan del Sur usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Managua during autumn. San Juan del Sur gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Managua in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Managua in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to San Juan del Sur as well as Managua. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year.
San Juan del Sur usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Managua. San Juan del Sur gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Managua receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Managua. 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 Managua. San Juan del Sur gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 244 hours of full sun.
In the winter, San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Managua. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan del Sur in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Managua averages at about 26°C (79°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)Managua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Managua in the Spring?
Both Managua 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. Plenty of visitors come to Managua because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, San Juan del Sur usually receives around the same amount of rain as Managua. San Juan del Sur gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Managua receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Managua. 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 Managua during spring. San Juan del Sur gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, San Juan del Sur is generally around the same temperature as Managua. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 29°C (84°F), and Managua fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)Managua 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Managua and San Juan del Sur
| San Juan del Sur | Managua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.