Which place is cheaper, Managua or Belize City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Belize City or Managua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Belize City or Managua? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Belize City or Managua?
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It was once the capital of the country, but due to massive hurricane damage in 1961, the country decided to relocate it capital. With a population of 57,000 people, Belize City is located right at the mouth of the Haulover Creek.
This gorgeous tropical city experiences a monsoon climate – meaning there are warm and humid conditions throughout the course of the year. There is a wet season from May to January, so plan for a little bit of rain in that time.
Managua
Managua is the capital, and largest city in Nicaragua. The economy is generally centered around the trade of coffee, cotton, and other types of agriculture. It also is a textile capital for the area. Managua is also a very reasonably priced destination in Central America. Restaurants and hotels are quite affordable and you'll find all kinds of international cuisine around the city. Transportation is also incredibly affordable and you'll find yourself pleasantly surprised at the cost of intercity bus rides.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBelize City $88Managua $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Belize City is $88, while the average daily cost in Managua is $55. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Belize City and Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBelize City $49Managua $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBelize City $98Managua $46
Compare Hotels in Belize City and Managua
Looking for a hotel in Belize City or Managua? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Belize City Hotel Prices and Managua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Belize City $5.82Managua $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City
Also for Belize City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Belize City and Airport to Placencia: $160
- Belize City to/from Placencia/Hopkins Shuttle Transfer: $113
- Belize: Belize City to/from San Ignacio Shuttle Transfer: $68
- Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $60
- Transfer Belize city to bacalar: $50
- We do transfers from airport to any where in Belize.: $49
- Belize city water taxi terminal to Airport transfer: $30
- Philip Goldson Airport BZE to Belize Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Belize City to Philip Goldson Airport BZE Departure Transfer: $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer From Managua International Airport: $90
- San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
- Rivas: Managua to Rivas Airport private transfer: $75
- Private Transfer in Nicaragua: $110
- Popoyo Beach Transfer: $90
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- Airport private transfer from Managua.: $25
- Managua-San juan del sur: Airport private transfer: $125
- Managua-Leon: Airport private transfer from to Managua /Leon: $85
- Managua to Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) - Departure Transfer: $33
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Belize City or Managua?
Prices for flights to both Managua and Belize City change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBelize City $27Managua $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belize City
For Belize City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Altun Ha Mayan Site & Food Tour: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Belize City $29Managua $16
Tours and Activities in Belize City
For Belize City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Taste Bud EXPLOSION" Food Tasting City Tour : $89
- Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure from Belize City: $167
- Actun Tunichil Muknal tour from Belize City: $200
- Altun Ha Cave Tubing and Zip line Tours from Belize City: $208
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins & Zipline Tour from Belize City All Inclusive: $170
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and Belize City tour: $100
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and River Wallace and Manatee Watch Tour: $85
- Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
- Altun Ha, Monkey Sanctuary and Rum Factory Tour from Belize City: $170
- Belize City Tour: $40
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Full Day Tour: $190
- Cave Tubing & Zipline Adventure Tour: $110
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
- 3 full days PRIVATE tour at Granada, Masaya and Leon area from Managua: $210
- Amazing Masaya Volcano at Night "Private Tour" : $88
- Between Volcanoes Tours; Granada-Masaya.: $155
- Granada Isletas and City tour: $68
- Laguna de Apoyo Day pass plus Masaya Volcano Night Tour: $60
- Managua City Tour: $84
- Managua City Tour: $88
- Managua Love Stories: A Romantic Tour: $188
- Managua’s Historic Gems: A Cultural Walking Tour: $163
- Managua’s Historic Gems: A Cultural Walking Tour: $319
- Masaya Volcano Night Tour: $53
- Masaya Volcano and Managua City Half Day Private Historical Tour: $175
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBelize City $12Managua $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Belize City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belize City:
- Belize: City Highlights Tour with Rum Distillery Visit: $49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belize City and Managua, we can see that Belize City is more expensive. And not only is Managua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Managua would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Managua and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Belize City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Belize City than you might in Managua.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Belize City Expensive? and Is Managua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Belize City or Managua?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Belize City. When comparing the sizes of Belize City and Managua, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Belize City or Managua?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Belize City or Managua in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Belize City and Managua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Belize City year-round. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Managua receives a lot of rain in the summer. Belize City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Belize City usually receives more rain than Managua. Belize City gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Managua receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Belize City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Belize City usually receives more sunshine than Managua during summer. Belize City gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Belize City is around the same temperature as Managua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Belize City in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Managua averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBelize City 28°C (82°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Belize City or Managua in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Belize City as well as Managua. Belize City attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Managua. Belize City receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Belize City usually gets more rain in October than Managua. Belize City gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Managua receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Belize City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Managua. Belize City gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 195 hours of full sun.
In October, Belize City is generally around the same temperature as Managua. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 26°C (80°F), and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBelize City 26°C (80°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Belize City or Managua in the Winter?
Both Managua and Belize City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Belize City throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Managua because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Belize City. In January, Belize City usually receives more rain than Managua. Belize City gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Managua receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Managua. Belize City usually receives less sunshine than Managua during winter. Belize City gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.
Belize City is cooler than Managua in the winter. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Managua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBelize City 24°C (74°F)Managua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Belize City or Managua in the Spring?
Both Managua and Belize City during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Belize City because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round.
Belize City usually gets more rain in April than Managua. Belize City gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Managua receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Managua, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Belize City. In the spring, Belize City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Managua. Belize City gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 242 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Belize City is around the same temperature as Managua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Belize City in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Managua averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBelize City 27°C (80°F)Managua 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Managua and Belize City
| Belize City | Managua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.