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

Should you visit San Juan del Sur or Saint John?

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 Saint John. 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 Saint John?

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.

Saint John

With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.

This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan del Sur and Saint John, we can see that Saint John 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 Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Saint John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John 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 Saint John Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit San Juan del Sur or Saint John?

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 Saint John in the Summer?

Both Saint John 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 Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in San Juan del Sur. In July, San Juan del Sur usually receives more rain than Saint John. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In July, San Juan del Sur is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

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

Both Saint John 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 Saint John year-round.

Saint John 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 more rain in October than Saint John. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Saint John in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

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

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

In January, San Juan del Sur usually receives less rain than Saint John. San Juan del Sur gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In the winter, San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan del Sur in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint John averages at about 26°C (78°F).

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

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

San Juan del Sur usually gets less rain in April than Saint John. San Juan del Sur gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In April, San Juan del Sur is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 29°C (84°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Typical Weather for Saint John and San Juan del Sur