A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Pedro La Laguna vs. Leon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Pedro La Laguna or Leon?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit San Pedro La Laguna or Leon? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: San Pedro La Laguna or Leon?

San Pedro La Laguna

Located in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, Lake Atitlan is a beautiful volcanic lake ringed by small towns and villages that are highly frequented by backpackers. Panajachal is one of the best known of the towns, as well as the main entry point of the region, while others like San Pedro La Laguna are quieter and more off the beaten path. Lake Atitlan and its villages attract visitors for its scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and Mayan culture nearby.

Leon

Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.

With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.

Which city is cheaper, Leon or San Pedro La Laguna?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro La Laguna is $29, while the average daily cost in Leon is $48. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for San Pedro La Laguna and Leon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Pedro La Laguna $6.58
    Leon $13
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Pedro La Laguna $13
    Leon $26
Compare Hotels in San Pedro La Laguna and Leon

Looking for a hotel in San Pedro La Laguna or Leon? 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 Pedro La Laguna


Hotels in Leon


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Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: San Pedro La Laguna Hotel Prices and Leon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Pedro La Laguna $11
    Leon $1.22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leon:

  • Reliable one-way transfer Guanajuato Leon International Airport to Hotel: $161
  • León hotels to Del Bajio Airport (BJX) - Departure Private Transfer: $138

Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro La Laguna or Leon?

Prices for flights to both Leon and San Pedro La Laguna 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 Pedro La Laguna $8.76
    Leon $9.77
Typical Food prices in San Pedro La Laguna

For San Pedro La Laguna, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lemonade
    $2.06
  • Cake
    $1.29
  • Ice cream
    $0.39
  • Hot Cocoa & Banana Bread
    $2.96

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leon.

  • Tlakualli Food Tour: $12

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Pedro La Laguna $17
    Leon $4.69
Typical Entertainment prices in San Pedro La Laguna

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro La Laguna's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Canopy Tour (for 2)
    $39
  • Kayaking (for 2)
    $1.93
  • Coffee Tour (for 2)
    $6.95

Tours and Activities in San Pedro La Laguna

For San Pedro La Laguna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Get fun with an Adventure Tour - Zip Line (Canopy): $51
  • Indian Nose Hiking Adventure (custom and private tour): $51
  • Horseback Riding Tour: $51
  • Chichicastenango Market Day Tour: $60
  • Camping, Short hike & Watch the sunrise on the top of Indian Nose (Private tour): $85
  • Lake Atitlan Village Tour - from Panajachel: $205

Tours and Activities in Leon

Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 3-Day Tour to Ometepe Island from León: $500
  • 7-Day Tour: Learn to Surf in Nicaragua: $1,436
  • 7-Days Tour: Punta Miramar Surf Camp: $1,179
  • Best of Leon and Granada *Private Tour*: $626
  • Charming Nicaragua "9 days Private Tour": $1,080
  • Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour": $67
  • Horseback Riding Private Tour: $87
  • Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92
  • León 3-Hour Guided City Tour Including Entrance Fees: $25
  • León: 5-Hour Volcano Boarding Tour on Cerro Negro: $35
  • León: Flor de Caña Rum Factory 4-Hour Tour: $45
  • Leon City Tour: $46

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Pedro La Laguna $4.46
    Leon $2.85


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

Budget Your Trip

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San Pedro La Laguna vs. Leon Travel Comparison

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