Which place is cheaper, Sucre 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 Sucre?
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 Sucre. 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 Sucre?
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.
Sucre
Sucre is famous for its gorgeous town center and delightful climate, making it for many Bolivia's most beautiful city. Also considered the symbolic heart of the nation, 'La ciudad blanca' or the white city has preserved stunning whitewashed buildings sheltering pretty patios and other beauties of colonial architecture. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991 and is under strict controls on development. It offers many attractions including historic buildings and a renowned theatre, but you can also wander around prehistoric sites and discover indigenous culture in the surrounding towns and countryside.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best 3-Day Tours from La Paz, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bolivia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan del Sur $53Sucre $43
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan del Sur is $53, while the average daily cost in Sucre is $43. 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 Sucre in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan del Sur $21Sucre $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan del Sur $42Sucre $22
Compare Hotels in San Juan del Sur and Sucre
Looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur or Sucre? 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 Sucre Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan del Sur $18Sucre $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sucre
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sucre are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sucre
Also for Sucre, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Transfer from Sucre to Sucre Airport by MiniVan or Bus: $27
- Private MiniVan or Bus Transfer from Sucre Airport SRE to Sucre: $28
- Private Transfer from Sucre Airport SRE to Sucre by SUV or Car: $23
- Private transfer Sucre - Uyuni, stopover in Potosí Mines: $227
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan del Sur or Sucre?
Prices for flights to both Sucre 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 $18Sucre $18
Typical Food Prices in Sucre
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sucre:
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Dinner$4.48
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Juice$0.87
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Juice$1.01
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Chocolate$1.73
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Cappuccino$4.34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sucre
For Sucre, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Bolivian Cooking Class w/ Cocktail Making by La Boca del Sapo, Sucre: $40
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan del Sur $15Sucre $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:
- ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA: $130
- 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
- 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
Tours and Activities in Sucre
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sucre.
- Walking tour in History, Culture & Amazing Views: $18
- Walking tour Sucre: $18
- Sucre City Tour with a German local! Something different!: $19
- Guided Walking Tour in Sucre: $20
- Private Cultural Tour in Sucre with Visit to 3 Museums: $44
- JATUN YAMPARA - Nucleo Indigena, Agroartesanal - Half Day Tours: $58
- Sucre - Walking City Tour - Half Day - English Speaking guide: $64
- Private Half Day Tour: Sucre Walking Tour with Hotel Pick up: $67
- JATUN YAMPARA - Agro-artisan Indigenous Nucleus -Full Day Tours + Lunch: $79
- 2-Day Icla Canyon Tour from Sucre: $87
- City Tour & Museums - Private Service: $106
- Sucre City Tour With Visit to Cretaceous Park: $123
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan del Sur $13Sucre $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan del Sur and Sucre, we can see that San Juan del Sur is more expensive. And not only is Sucre much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan del Sur is in Central America and Sucre 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 Sucre would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sucre 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 Sucre.
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 Sucre Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan del Sur or Sucre?
Sucre has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of San Juan del Sur and Sucre, 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.