Lima vs San Juan del Sur: cost of living for digital nomads
Lima, Peru and San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- San Juan del Sur is about 3% cheaper than Lima for a month of nomad living ($1,170 vs $1,200).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $500 in San Juan del Sur against $540 in Lima.
- Both score 6/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Lima: 80 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
- Lima is arid; San Juan del Sur is tropical.
Lima wins 2 of the measured lines; San Juan del Sur wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Lima or San Juan del Sur?
San Juan del Sur is cheaper: about $1,170/month against $1,200/month in Lima, roughly 3% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Lima or San Juan del Sur?
Lima and San Juan del Sur score the same on safety, 6/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Lima or San Juan del Sur?
Lima has faster typical internet: 80 Mbps against 50 Mbps in San Juan del Sur.
| Line | Lima | San Juan del Sur |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,200 | $1,170 |
| Rent | $540 | $500 |
| Food | $340 | $320 |
| Transport | $40 | $40 |
| Coworking | $100 | $80 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 50 |
| Climate | arid | tropical |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | coast | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Lima November 4, 2026, San Juan del Sur September 10, 2026.