Which place is cheaper, Santiago 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 Santiago?
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 Santiago. 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 Santiago?
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.
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.
Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan del Sur $53Santiago $141
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan del Sur is $53, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $141. 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 Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan del Sur $21Santiago $110
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan del Sur $42Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in San Juan del Sur and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur or Santiago? 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 Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan del Sur $18Santiago $5.41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $24
- Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Luxury Van: $85
- Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
- From Farellones/Valle Nevado Roundtrip Transfer: $35
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones with Transfer: $71
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $167
- Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
- Private Airport Transfer to/from Portillo Ski Resort: $210
- Private Round Trip Transfer on Santiago Of Chile City: $55
- Private Santiago Hotel or Airport Arrival Transfer to Viña del Mar or Valparaiso: $95
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan del Sur or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago 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 $18Santiago $13
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.89
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Hamburger$2.50
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Dinner$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $94
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
- Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158
- Traditional Chilean Cooking Class with a Local in Her Santiago Countryside Home: $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan del Sur $15Santiago $47
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
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
- Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
- La Paz from the Heights: Down hill Walking tour & Cable Cars: $12
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $15
- Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
- Skip the Line: Concha y Toro Traditional Tour Ticket: $25
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- Walking tour through Santiago: $26
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones Small Group Tour: $29
- Small-Group Tour to Valle Nevado and Farellones from Santiago: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan del Sur $13Santiago $8.41
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
- Undurraga Wine tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99
- Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143
- Premium Wine Tasting and Tour at Santa Rita with Transport: $145
- Santa Rita: Ultra Premium Wine Tasting, Tour and Transport: $145
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan del Sur and Santiago, we can see that Santiago 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 Santiago 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 Santiago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santiago 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 Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan del Sur or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 620 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of San Juan del Sur and Santiago, 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 Santiago?
Santiago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Juan del Sur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Santiago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan del Sur and Santiago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round.
San Juan del Sur is a little warmer than Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
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 Santiagoin January. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySan Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Juan del Sur as well as Santiago. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, San Juan del Sur is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan del Sur in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.
San Juan del Sur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan del Sur usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSan Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago 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.
In January, San Juan del Sur is generally much warmer than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 26°C (79°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In January, San Juan del Sur usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. San Juan del Sur gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySan Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago 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.
San Juan del Sur is much warmer than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.
San Juan del Sur usually gets less rain in April than Santiagoin October. San Juan del Sur gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSan Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and San Juan del Sur
| San Juan del Sur | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 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.