San Juan del Suris 51% cheaper — BDI "Pricey" (38/10) vs Playa del Carmen "Pricey" (36/10). Dorms avg $17/night vs $14/night.
Quick Verdict
Best For…
Traveler type
🇲🇽 Playa del Carmen
🇳🇮 San Juan del Sur
Solo budget traveler
★★★★★15 hostels, avg 8.0 rating
★★★★★16 hostels, avg 8.2 rating
Couple on a budget
★★★★★Private rooms avg $56/night
★★★★★Private rooms avg $46/night
Digital nomad
★★★★★Coffee $3.90, dorms avg $17
★★★★★Coffee $2.30, dorms avg $14
Nightlife seeker
★★★★★Beer $2.91, 15 hostels
★★★★★Beer $1.36, 16 hostels
Cost Comparison
Daily Budget
| Tier | 🇲🇽 Playa del Carmen | 🇳🇮 San Juan del Sur | You Save / day |
|---|
Shoestring Dorm bed · street food · free activities | $38 | $19 cheaper | $19/day |
Comfortable Mix of dorm & private · restaurants | $49 | $36 cheaper | $12/day |
Flashpacker Private rooms · dining out · some tours | $81 | $64 cheaper | $17/day |
Price Intelligence
Seasonal Price Curve
Everyday Costs
Cost of Living
| Item | 🇲🇽 Playa del Carmen | 🇳🇮 San Juan del Sur |
|---|
| 🥙Street food meal Local market, street stall | $13.30 | $4.96 63% less |
| 🍽️Mid-range meal Sit-down restaurant, one person | $17.45 | $17.35 1% less |
| 🍺Beer (local draft) 500ml at a bar | $2.91 | $1.36 53% less |
| ☕Coffee Espresso or flat white | $3.90 | $2.30 41% less |
| 🚇Single metro / bus Standard single ticket | $0.54 | $0.14 74% less |
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Our Verdict + Hostel Quality
🇲🇽36
BDI: Pricey
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Higher dorm prices (avg $17/night).
Hostel Quality
Top-rated hostelSayab Hostel And Bar (9.4)
Annual dorm avg$17/night
Total hostels15
🇳🇮San Juan del Sur
Nicaragua
38
BDI: Pricey
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Moderate dorm prices (avg $14/night).
Hostel Quality
Top-rated hostelHush Maderas (9.5)
Annual dorm avg$14/night
Total hostels16
Entry Requirements
Visa & Entry
Passport
🇲🇽 Playa del Carmen
🇳🇮 San Juan del Sur
City to City
Getting Between Playa del Carmen & San Juan del Sur
Climate
Weather & Best Time to Visit
°C · mm
🇲🇽 Playa del Carmen
🌧 Rainfall: 34mm/month
Best months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
🇳🇮 San Juan del Sur
🌧 Rainfall: 6mm/month
Best months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec
Things To Do
Top Attractions
🇲🇽 Playa del Carmen
1. MulchíFree
2. 3D MuseumFree
3. MariposarioFree
4. Portal Maya (Mayan Gateway)Free
5. Rio SecretoFree
🇳🇮 San Juan del Sur
1. Christ of the MercyFree
2. Fortaleza el Vigia.Free
3. better view of the beachFree
Common Questions
FAQ
Is Playa del Carmen or San Juan del Sur cheaper for backpackers?+
How many hostels are in Playa del Carmen vs San Juan del Sur?+
Do I need a visa for Playa del Carmen or San Juan del Sur?+
When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen or San Juan del Sur?+
What's the cheapest month to visit Playa del Carmen and San Juan del Sur?+
Keep Exploring
People Also Compared
Ready to book?
Plan a trip to both cities
Full itinerary with real-time flights, hostels & transport — built on our 64k+ price index.
Build Your Itinerary →Free · No account required · Results in under 30 seconds