Should I Visit San Pedro or San Juan del Sur for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit San Pedro or San Juan del Sur?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Pedro or San Juan del Sur, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: San Pedro or San Juan del Sur?

San Pedro

San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.

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.

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

Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or San Pedro?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

San Pedro Prices
Belize Prices

San Juan del Sur Prices
Nicaragua Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

San Pedro $163

San Juan del Sur $66

The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro is $163, while the average daily cost in San Juan del Sur is $66. 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 Pedro and San Juan del Sur in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

San Pedro $66

San Juan del Sur $21
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

San Pedro $132

San Juan del Sur $42

Compare Hotels in San Pedro and San Juan del Sur

Looking for a hotel in San Pedro or San Juan del Sur? 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.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

San Pedro $34

San Juan del Sur $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Pedro:

Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure (Boat Transfer): $210

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan del Sur

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Juan del Sur:

Granada: One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $39

Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro or San Juan del Sur?

Prices for flights to both San Juan del Sur and San Pedro 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 $69

San Juan del Sur $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro

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

Belizean Cooking Experience: $95
The Maya Dinner Experience: $99
Belizean Sunset and Cultural Dinner Cruise: $120
Dinner-Time Food Tour w/Stay at Cozy Caye Casita: $250

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

San Pedro $33

San Juan del Sur $15

Tours and Activities in San Pedro

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Pedro are as follows:

Ambergris Caye, San Pedro Electric Bike and Beach Cruiser Rental: $40
Private Island Experience for a Day with Options : $50
Shark & Ray Afternoon Swim Tiki Bar Cruise: $60
Sunset Tiki Bar Cruise in Caye Caulker, Belize: $60
3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $64
The Maya Brunch Experience: $66
Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley Snorkeling Tour: $79
Half Day Snorkeling Tour Caye Caulker: $80
Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $85
Belizean Food Experience: $87
Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $99
Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley Snorkeling Tour: $105

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
ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA: $130
Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur: $159
San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour: $201

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

San Pedro $16

San Juan del Sur $13

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Pedro and San Juan del Sur, we can see that San Pedro is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 San Pedro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Pedro 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 Pedro Expensive? and Is San Juan del Sur Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Pedro or San Juan del Sur?

San Pedro has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro and San Juan del Sur, 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 Pedro or San Juan del Sur?

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 Pedro or San Juan del Sur in the Summer?

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

San Juan del Sur receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Pedro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, San Pedro usually receives more rain than San Juan del Sur. San Pedro gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In San Pedro, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Pedro usually receives more sunshine than San Juan del Sur during summer. San Pedro gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.

San Pedro is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur in the summer. The daily temperature in San Pedro averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Summer Average Temperatures July

San Pedro 28°C (82°F)

San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)

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

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

It's quite rainy in San Juan del Sur. San Pedro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Pedro usually gets more rain in October than San Juan del Sur. San Pedro gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, San Pedro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan del Sur. San Pedro gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 195 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, San Pedro is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Pedro in October average around 26°C (80°F), and San Juan del Sur averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Autumn Average Temperatures October

San Pedro 26°C (80°F)

San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)

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

Both San Juan del Sur and San Pedro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Pedro throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in San Pedro. In January, San Pedro usually receives more rain than San Juan del Sur. San Pedro gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in San Juan del Sur. San Pedro usually receives less sunshine than San Juan del Sur during winter. San Pedro gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, San Pedro is generally cooler than San Juan del Sur. Daily temperatures in San Pedro average around 24°C (74°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Winter Average Temperatures January

San Pedro 24°C (74°F)

San Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)

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

Both San Juan del Sur and San Pedro during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Pedro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round.

San Pedro usually gets more rain in April than San Juan del Sur. San Pedro gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In San Juan del Sur, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Pedro. In the spring, San Pedro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan del Sur. San Pedro gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 242 hours of full sun.

San Pedro is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur in the spring. The daily temperature in San Pedro averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Spring Average Temperatures April

San Pedro 27°C (80°F)

San Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for San Juan del Sur and San Pedro

	San Pedro		San Juan del Sur
	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)
Jan	24°C (74°F)	138 mm (5.4 in)	26°C (79°F)	4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb	24°C (76°F)	73 mm (2.9 in)	27°C (80°F)	2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar	26°C (78°F)	25 mm (1 in)	28°C (82°F)	3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr	27°C (80°F)	52 mm (2 in)	29°C (84°F)	6 mm (0.2 in)
May	28°C (82°F)	105 mm (4.1 in)	29°C (84°F)	131 mm (5.2 in)
Jun	28°C (82°F)	258 mm (10.2 in)	28°C (82°F)	196 mm (7.7 in)
Jul	28°C (82°F)	243 mm (9.6 in)	27°C (81°F)	144 mm (5.7 in)
Aug	28°C (82°F)	187 mm (7.4 in)	27°C (81°F)	151 mm (5.9 in)
Sep	28°C (82°F)	287 mm (11.3 in)	27°C (81°F)	210 mm (8.3 in)
Oct	26°C (80°F)	255 mm (10 in)	27°C (81°F)	197 mm (7.8 in)
Nov	25°C (77°F)	183 mm (7.2 in)	31°C (88°F)	54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec	25°C (76°F)	138 mm (5.4 in)	26°C (79°F)	11 mm (0.4 in)

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

Should you visit San Pedro or San Juan del Sur?

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

Where Should I go: San Pedro or San Juan del Sur?

San Pedro

San Juan del Sur

Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or San Pedro?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in San Pedro and San Juan del Sur

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan del Sur

Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro or San Juan del Sur?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in San Pedro

Tours and Activities in San Juan del Sur

Alcohol

Which is Bigger, San Pedro or San Juan del Sur?

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

Should I visit San Pedro or San Juan del Sur in the Summer?

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

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

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

Typical Weather for San Juan del Sur and San Pedro

Related Articles for San Pedro

Related Articles for San Juan del Sur

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

Should you visit San Pedro or San Juan del Sur?

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

Where Should I go: San Pedro or San Juan del Sur?

San Pedro

San Juan del Sur

Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or San Pedro?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in San Pedro and San Juan del Sur

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan del Sur

Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro or San Juan del Sur?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in San Pedro

Tours and Activities in San Juan del Sur

Alcohol

Which is Bigger, San Pedro or San Juan del Sur?

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

Should I visit San Pedro or San Juan del Sur in the Summer?

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

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

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

Typical Weather for San Juan del Sur and San Pedro

Related Articles for San Pedro

Related Articles for San Juan del Sur

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