CostLens
HomeNicaragua › San Juan del Sur

Cost of Living in San Juan del Sur

San Juan del Sur, Rivas, Nicaragua · Population 7,220

▼ -16% vs Nicaragua average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)C$13,109 ($357)
Couple, monthlyC$23,319 ($635)
Family of four, monthlyC$30,208 ($823)

Estimated Prices in San Juan del Sur

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantC$139 ($3.78)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-rangeC$555 ($15.12)per meal
CappuccinoC$41.62 ($1.13)each
Monthly groceries (single person)C$3,144 ($85.68)per month
Monthly public transport passC$509 ($13.86)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartmentC$1,341 ($36.54)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)C$388 ($10.58)per month
Fitness club membershipC$388 ($10.58)per month
Cinema ticketC$102 ($2.77)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centreC$5,550 ($151)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centreC$3,861 ($105)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centreC$11,582 ($316)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in San Juan del Sur is C$11,561 ($315) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of C$13,109 ($357) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly C$17,042 ($464) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (C$3,861 ($105)) represents about 29% of the total single-person budget.

Compare San Juan del Sur

San Juan del Sur vs ManaguaSan Juan del Sur vs LeónSan Juan del Sur vs MasayaSan Juan del Sur vs MatagalpaSan Juan del Sur vs ChinandegaSan Juan del Sur vs Estelí

Nearby Cities

Rivas

21 km away · Rivas

Tola

22 km away · Rivas

Potosí

27 km away · Rivas

Belén

28 km away · Rivas

Moyogalpa

37 km away · Rivas

Altagracia

47 km away · Rivas

Nandaime

59 km away · Granada

Santa Teresa

69 km away · Carazo

Other Major Cities in Nicaragua

Managua

Managua · pop. 1,051,236

C$19,472 ($531) / mo

León

León · pop. 174,051

C$14,680 ($400) / mo

Masaya

Masaya · pop. 139,582

C$14,680 ($400) / mo

Matagalpa

Matagalpa · pop. 133,416

C$14,680 ($400) / mo

Chinandega

Chinandega · pop. 121,793

C$14,680 ($400) / mo

Estelí

Estelí · pop. 112,084

C$14,680 ($400) / mo

Granada

Granada · pop. 105,862

C$14,680 ($400) / mo

Tipitapa

Managua · pop. 101,685

C$14,680 ($400) / mo

Living in San Juan del Sur

San Juan del Sur is one of the key cities in Nicaragua. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is C$13,109 ($357), placing it below the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around C$3,861 ($105) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to C$30,208 ($823) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately C$23,319 ($635) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in San Juan del Sur is C$11,561 ($315). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least C$17,042 ($464) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Juan del Sur expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated C$13,109 ($357) per month in San Juan del Sur including rent outside the city centre. That is 16% less than the national average for Nicaragua.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in San Juan del Sur?
A net salary of around C$17,042 ($464) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in San Juan del Sur with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in San Juan del Sur is C$11,561 ($315).
How much is rent in San Juan del Sur?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated C$5,550 ($151) per month in the city centre and C$3,861 ($105) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about C$11,582 ($316).
Is San Juan del Sur cheaper than Nicaragua on average?
Yes — San Juan del Sur is estimated to be about 16% cheaper than the Nicaragua average, making it a relatively affordable option in the country.
What is the cost of groceries in San Juan del Sur?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at C$3,144 ($86) in San Juan del Sur. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about C$139 ($4) and a cappuccino runs around C$42 ($1).
How do transport costs in San Juan del Sur compare?
A monthly public transport pass in San Juan del Sur is estimated at C$509 ($14). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for San Juan del Sur are estimates based on Nicaragua national averages adjusted for city size (population 7,220). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.