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

Should you visit San Juan del Sur or Pedasi?

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 Pedasi. 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 Pedasi?

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.

Pedasi

Pedasi is in the Los Santos province of the Pacific West region of Panama. It's on the edge of the Azuero Peninsula and has a population of just over 2000 people. The town is predominantly a fishing village and is set on a beautiful, rocky coastline, making it a dramatic place to visit. The town is small, but you'll find a few restaurants around town that are worth eating at. The area is well known for having some great carnivals and most travelers visit with the plan to enjoy some sport fishing, diving, snorkeling, or surfing. There are also some great national parks and preserves nearby.

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 Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.


Which place is cheaper, Pedasi or San Juan del Sur?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan del Sur is $53, while the average daily cost in Pedasi is $38. 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 Pedasi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Juan del Sur $21
    Pedasi $13
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Juan del Sur $42
    Pedasi $26
Compare Hotels in San Juan del Sur and Pedasi

Looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur or Pedasi? 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.

Hotels in San Juan del Sur


Hotels in Pedasi


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Juan del Sur $18
    Pedasi $5.45

Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan del Sur or Pedasi?

Prices for flights to both Pedasi 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 day
    San Juan del Sur $18
    Pedasi $18

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Juan del Sur $15
    Pedasi -

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:

  • ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA: $130
  • Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur: $159
  • SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $103
  • San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour: $118
  • atv tour also in Costa Rica: $132

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Juan del Sur $13
    Pedasi $2.87


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

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 Pedasi Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, San Juan del Sur or Pedasi?

San Juan del Sur has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Pedasi. When comparing the sizes of San Juan del Sur and Pedasi, 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.