Town in Rivas, Nicaragua
Cost of living in San Juan del Sur
How much a month costs in San Juan del Sur
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,030–1,630 (C$38,000–60,000).
Prices in San Juan del Sur
Typical 2026 ranges in NIO, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | NIO | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | C$10,000–22,000 | $272–598 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | C$6,000–13,000 | $163–353 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | C$300–600 | $8.2–16.3 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | C$1,500–3,500 | $41–95 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | C$100–200 | $2.7–5.4 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | C$350–750 | $10–20 |
| Cappuccino | C$60–110 | $1.6–3.0 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | C$50–100 | $1.4–2.7 |
| Getting around | ||
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | C$150–300 | $4.1–8.2 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | C$800–2,000 | $22–54 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | C$300–600 | $8.2–16.3 |
Value for money: 60/100
A value score of 60/100 means San Juan del Sur gives more quality of life per dollar than 59% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 53/100. It's the 4th most affordable of 4 places we cover in Nicaragua.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Nicaragua
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
Cheaper alternatives to San Juan del Sur
Similar safety, lower cost, in Mexico & Central America.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Semuc Champey | Guatemala | $458–720 |
| Ometepe | Nicaragua | $679–1,140 |
| León | Nicaragua | $679–1,140 |
| Granada | Nicaragua | $815–1,360 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in San Juan del Sur?
About $544–815 on a lean budget, $1,030–1,630 for a comfortable month and $2,450–4,350 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in San Juan del Sur?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs C$10,000–22,000 ($272–598) a month in the center and C$6,000–13,000 ($163–353) outside it.
How much does food cost in San Juan del Sur?
A local meal is C$100–200 ($2.7–5.4); a mid-range restaurant is C$350–750 ($10–20) per person.
Is Nicaragua expensive?
Prices in Nicaragua are about 34% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about San Juan del Sur
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Instituto Nicaragüense de Turismo (INTUR)
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.