Posted by 
The Cost of Living 2025: San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
August 25, 2025 ~ 11 minute read
The cost of living in San Juan del Sur varies greatly depending on lifestyle choices, housing preferences, and spending habits. To give some context, we’ve put together an updated breakdown of our expenses for March 2025. In this report, we’ve also included notes on what affects costs and a few practical tips for budgeting.
A Quick Intro
We’re a Canadian couple who’ve called Nicaragua home since 2011. We make our living through real estate, relocation services, and managing an Airbnb. While we don’t have children, we do have a dog named Sheldon. Through this blog, we hope to give readers a realistic look at what life is like here, covering everything from the cost of living to stories of our travels.
Below, you’ll find a chart showing our spending for the month by category. Our total came to $2050.84 USD.
If you’re curious about a more detailed look at our spending for the month you can check out the full list here. For the record, we tracked every single córdoba–this is exactly where our money went.
Housing – $0
We own our home outright, which is why you see ‘$0’ under housing. Our house is 1400 square feet with two-bedrooms, two-and-a-half-bathrooms, a small pool and ocean view. It’s in a Nicaraguan neighborhood just a short walk from the beach and town center. A property like this today would likely fall in the low $300 000 USD range.
In San Juan del Sur, rental prices vary widely depending on the type of home and its amenities. Basic, budget-friendly houses can still be found for $350 to $500 USD per month.
On the higher end, modern North American style multi-bedroom homes—designed for vacation rentals—usually start at $1500 USD and can go well beyond $2000 USD per month.
Electricity – $5.23 USD
Before you ask, “Wait, your electricity bill was only $5.23?” Yes, that’s right! Since installing a solar system, our monthly bills have dropped to under $10 USD. Before that, they averaged between $80 and $110 USD, depending largely on how much we used the air conditioning.
Electricity costs here really come down to lifestyle. For example, if you work from home, run the air conditioning often, and use appliances like electric dryers daily, your bill will be on the higher side. But if you use fans, line dry your clothes, and are mindful with AC use, it’s possible to keep costs low while still living comfortably.
Internet – $47.58 US
Reliable fast internet is available in San Juan del Sur. Yet, prices vary depending on location. We have fiber internet with Claro. Our plan offers unlimited data at 150 Mbps for $47.58 USD per month. Claro also has a 4G home service choice with unlimited data at 10 Mbps for $27.99 USD monthly, plus a $65 USD router. Fiber coverage is limited to the town center and select neighborhoods.
Heads Up: It’s important to check what providers service the specific area you’re moving to. For example, if you’re living outside of central San Juan del Sur, Wifinic is a common choice for home internet service, though more expensive. They charge $184 USD for 25 Mbps.
TV – $9.99 USD
Netflix is the only TV service we pay for. Our monthly subscription is based here in Nicaragua. Our cost is $9.99 USD per month.
Water – $4.53 USD
If your home is connected to the municipal water supply, rates are very affordable at just $0.40 USD per cubic meter. But, in many private developments or gated communities, water is managed independently and costs can be up to three times as much.
Note: When you’re house-hunting, it’s worth asking how water is supplied. This can affect your monthly expenses more than you’d expect.
Cell Phone – $37.47 USD
We use monthly plans with Tigo, one of Nicaragua’s main mobile providers. Our plans include calling, texting, and data, plus international roaming from the tip of South America, all the way to Canada—a great perk if you travel often or want to keep in touch abroad. Any unused data rolls over and accumulates month to month. Another great perk of this plan is that you can use popular social media apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Waze without it counting against your data allowance.
Vehicle and Transportation – $134.49 USD
It’s easy to get around on foot in San Juan del Sur, but most expats like having their own wheels. A solid used vehicle, like a Toyota Hilux or Prado, usually runs $12 000–$15 000 USD. If you’re looking to spend less, motorcycles are a popular choice. You can find a decent used one for between $900–$1200 USD.
Fuel costs $1.22 USD per liter for diesel and $1.36 USD for regular gas. For reference, filling our diesel truck this month cost $126.20 USD for 103.2 liters. We usually go over a month between refuels due to limited driving.
Shared taxis (collectivos) charge C$30 ($0.83 USD) per ride within town, while shuttle trips to nearby beaches typically cost $5–$10 USD per person for a round trip.
Household – $160.19 USD
We don’t usually spend much on household items, but this month we had a new wooden balcony railing installed and bought pool chemicals that will last for 8.5 months.
Something to consider: When moving into a rental, you’ll likely need a few items to make it feel like home. Plan for this in your budget.
Groceries and Snacks – $408.85 USD
San Juan del Sur offers a variety of places to buy groceries, from local mercados with fresh produce to supermarkets and pulperias carrying international brands.
Staples like fruits, vegetables, rice, and beans are affordable and readily available. However, some imported goods and specialty snacks can be pricier or harder to find. Cooking with imported ingredients can noticeably increase your monthly grocery bill.
Restaurant – $339.45 USD
Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or sitting down for a special night out, San Juan del Sur has something for everyone. You can eat well without spending much.
Filling local meals at comedores or buffet-style spots often cost under $5 USD per plate. While a seafood dinner for two on the beach can easily run $60 USD or more. Many restaurants offer daily specials. These deals make it easy to enjoy dining out regularly without breaking the bank.
Keep in mind: If dining out is a regular habit, consider how often you’ll splurge versus choosing casual spots.
Alcohol – $245.30 USD
If you take advantage of happy hour specials at bars and restaurants, nights out can be surprisingly affordable. For instance, Social Pool and Patio offers 2 for 1 wine on Tuesdays. Dockside has 50% off cocktails at sunset Monday through Friday. Local beer in bars and restaurants ranges from $1.65 to $2.20 USD.
Insider Insight: For imported liquors at a good price, check the duty-free shop at the port. The lowest priced beer and rum can be found at the distributor in town.
Pet – $106.16 USD
Overall, pet expenses in Nicaragua are very affordable. A consultation with our veterinarian costs $22 USD. We buy our dog food from PriceSmart; A 44 pound of Beneful by Purina costs $64 USD. Tick and heartworm prevention are important here, so we are diligent about treating Sheldon with NexGard Plus once per month.
Health & Beauty – $186.67 USD
Gyms, salons, massages, and beauty services are affordable. Gordon’s gym membership is $25 USD per month. Massages are $20–$40 USD per hour. I get highlights and a cut from an expat stylist for $100 USD—much less than in Canada.
Medications are also very reasonably priced. Over-the-counter pain relievers, allergy pills, and anti-nausea meds are easy to find. One hundred 500 mg tablets of acetaminophen cost $4.54 USD.
Prescription meds are widely available and well priced; a month’s supply of my cholesterol medication runs $32 USD.
Clothing – $94.38 USD
There are plenty of shops selling inexpensive clothing, including secondhand options. Quality items can be found with some digging. For access to international brands, Managua has malls and larger stores, but shopping in the U.S. or Canada is generally cheaper overall.
Gifts – $98.12 USD
Living in a country with widespread need, there are opportunities to help. We focus on supporting people we know—neighbors or friends—and buy gifts for family abroad. If you plan to do the same, remember to include gifts and occasional local support in your budget.
Entertainment – $90.06 USD
Most entertainment in San Juan del Sur is free or low-cost, so our monthly expenses in this category stay fairly low.
We regularly enjoy sunset happy hours, beach days, and dinner parties with friends. This month, our entertainment costs included a music festival ticket, entrance fees to Playa Hermosa, and, as always, our Spotify and Netflix subscriptions.
Other regular ways to have fun here include surfing, salsa and art classes, live music, and trivia nights.
Travel – $94.38 USD
Every few months, we like to take a one or two night trip. This helps to break up the routine of beach town living. Recently, I went to Granada with a couple of girlfriends. We rented a three-bedroom colonial home with a pool for $160 USD per night.
When Gordon and I visit the capital of Managua, we usually stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton. The nightly rate there averages around $110 USD. There are more affordable options at smaller, locally owned hotels. For example, Wayak Hotel & Suites has rooms for $63 USD per night with breakfast and a dinner included.
Beyond the Basics
Besides your regular monthly expenses, it’s a good idea to budget for situational expenses that aren’t part of day-to-day living.
Out of Country Trips
Consider including travel expenses in your budget if you plan to travel back home or elsewhere.
Money-saving tip: We usually fly out of Liberia or San José, Costa Rica, since flights from there are more frequent and much cheaper than from Managua.
Health and Dental Care
Healthcare in Nicaragua is significantly more affordable than in many Western countries. Public hospitals offer free treatment to both locals and foreigners. However, the quality may fall short of what many expats are used to. Also, wait times can be longer than expected.
We use private insurance through the Military Hospital in Managua. Our monthly premium for both of us is $90 USD. The plan covers many procedures at 100%. I’ve had blood work, a PAP test, a mammogram, and a bone density scan all fully covered. Even when a procedure isn’t fully covered—like Gordon’s recent collarbone surgery—we still save a lot. Our share of that surgery cost $2700 USD.
Vivian Pellas, another private hospital in Managua, also offers monthly insurance plans starting at $30 USD, with 25%–80% discounts on services depending on the plan.
Dental care in Nicaragua is affordable and easy to access. A basic cleaning in Rivas at our dentist costs $14 USD. If you prefer an English-speaking dentist in San Juan del Sur, you can expect to pay between $50 and $75 USD for a cleaning. More advanced treatments like fillings, crowns, and implants are also much cheaper here than in many Western countries.
Car Insurance
Vehicle insurance is mandatory in Nicaragua. Basic third-party liability coverage costs around $55 USD per year for a truck and $35 USD for a motorcycle. Full coverage for a newer vehicle (e.g., 2021 Toyota Hilux) costs $650–$700 USD per year.
Schooling
Public education in Nicaragua is free and taught in Spanish, but most expat families in San Juan del Sur choose private schools. The three main options are San Juan del Sur Day School, Escuela Adelante, and Tambran School. Tuition varies depending on grade level and school, but private education here can be a significant expense, especially if you have more than one child enrolled.
Domestic Help
Hiring domestic help is both common and affordable in San Juan del Sur. A part-time cleaner typically earns about $16 USD for a day of work. For full-time staff, the base monthly salary is $202 USD, but once benefits and the 13th-month bonus are included, the total comes closer to $300 USD.
Tourist Visa Renewal
Non-residents must renew visas every 90 days. A border run to Costa Rica costs about $25 USD and takes three hours for the round trip.
Conclusion
Since our last report in 2023, our monthly expenses have stayed around $2000 USD. At the end of the day, what you spend here comes down to the kind of life you want to create. Some people keep it simple, others like to splurge, and many land somewhere in between. We hope this updated breakdown gives you a good sense of what’s possible for your own budget.
Have a question or something you’d like us to include in our next report? Drop it in the comment below. We’d love to hear from you!