San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
Editor
March 12, 2023
San Juan del Sur is a small coastal town in Nicaragua that has become a popular destination for digital nomads. With its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and low cost of living, it's no wonder why so many digital nomads are flocking to this paradise. According to the World Bank, Nicaragua has the second lowest cost of living in Central America, making it an ideal destination for digital nomads looking to stretch their budget. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in San Juan del Sur is just $200 USD, and the average cost of a meal is only $3 USD. Additionally, the town is home to a variety of coworking spaces, cafes, and restaurants, making it easy to stay connected and productive. With its stunning sunsets, friendly locals, and laid-back atmosphere, San Juan del Sur is the perfect place for digital nomads to call home.
Living in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
37%
Quality of life -
80%
Cost of living -
81%
Connectivity -
71%
Weather
47
General
| Currency | NIO |
| Population (in millions) | 0.2 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | Not Ranked |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 40% cheaper |
| Best neighborhood to stay | San Juan del Sur Centro |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 5 |
| Top selling local beer | Victoria |
| Most popular local dish | Gallo Pinto |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | San Juan del Sur Beach, Christ of the Mercy Statue, Oasis Bar & Grill |
| Discount airline | Avianca |
| Major airline | Avianca Airlines |
| Largest ride sharing company | Uber or Lyft |
| Primary train stations | San Juan del Sur Station, La Virgen Station, San Jorge Station |
| Primary airports | San Juan del Sur Airport, Rivas Airport, Managua International Airport |
| Best rental car company | Hertz |
| Used car costs | 15000 USD |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Apple does not have a store in San Juan del Sur |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 10 Mbps |
| Power socket type | A,B |
| Supply voltage | 110V |
| Best electronics store | BestBuy |
| Best internet carrier | Claro |
| Primary cellular carrier | Claro |
| Average monthly cost for internet | $50 USD |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Farmacia |
| Best restaurant chain | El Gato Negro |
| The best grocery store | Supermercado |
| The most popular fashion brand | H&M |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $2,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $7000 |
| Sales tax rate | 0% |
| Income tax rate | 0% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 30 |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 8.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 500 USD |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | Banpro |
| Average tip in restaurant | 15% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Not very common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 911 (general), 888 (police), 866 (ambulance), 877 (firefighters) |
| Polution per square meter | 545 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | Not available |
| Main religion | Christianity |
Quality of life
37%
-
57%
Safety, freedom, rights -
51%
Traffic -
0%
Property to income -
43%
Crime -
0%
Healthcare -
71%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $208 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 0% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | $100 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | $5,000 |
Cost of living
80%
-
Purchasing Power
0%
-
Rent
16%
-
Food
0%
-
Restaurant
30%
-
Workspace
29%
-
Transport
54%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | $425.00 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | $350.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | $1,033.33 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | $966.67 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | $0.95 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | $1.25 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | $1.76 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | $2.47 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | $0.76 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $9.82 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | $1.55 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | $2.38 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | $2.68 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | $5.40 |
| Apples (1kg) | $6.32 |
| Oranges (1kg) | $0.00 |
| Potato (1kg) | $1.61 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | $0.78 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | $1.06 |
| Tomato (1kg) | $1.26 |
| Banana (1kg) | $0.00 |
| Onion (1kg) | $2.40 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | $4.11 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | $5.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | $33.66 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | $5.61 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | $2.96 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | $2.90 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | $0.86 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | $0.98 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | $2.27 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | $91.00 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | $0.00 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $112.50 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $30.29 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | $0.00 |
Transportation
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $1.32 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | $14,337.44 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | $29,000.00 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | $0.54 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | $0.61 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | $5.73 |
