Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra. 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
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.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, or simply Santa Cruz, is a larger city in the middle of Bolivia. It is also one of the most wealthy cities in the country. The city is also one of the fastest growing in the world. It is famous for its nightlife and it makes an excellent base for exploring many of the tourist attractions in the nearby areas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Bolivia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan del Sur $53Santa Cruz de la Sierra $54
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan del Sur is $53, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan del Sur $21Santa Cruz de la Sierra $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan del Sur $42Santa Cruz de la Sierra $44
Compare Hotels in San Juan del Sur and Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur or Santa Cruz de la Sierra? 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan del Sur $18Santa Cruz de la Sierra $9.90
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:
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Taxi Ride$4.34
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Mini Bus$0.58
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan del Sur or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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 $18Santa Cruz de la Sierra $20
Typical Food Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:
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Snacks$3.18
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Chips$0.29
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Banana$0.14
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Cookies$1.30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan del Sur $15Santa Cruz de la Sierra $19
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan del Sur $13Santa Cruz de la Sierra $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Cruz de la Sierra from other travelers:
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Beer$1.59
When comparing the travel costs between San Juan del Sur and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, we can see that Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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. Even though San Juan del Sur is in Central America and Santa Cruz de la Sierra is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan del Sur or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Santa Cruz de la Sierra has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of San Juan del Sur and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 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.
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.