Which city is cheaper, Managua or Belize City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Belize City vs. Managua for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
Jump to 
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBelize City $70Managua $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Belize City is $70, while the average daily cost in Managua is $44. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Belize City and Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBelize City $39Managua $18
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBelize City $78Managua $36
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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Belize City $4.64Managua $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City
Also for Belize City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Helicopter Transfer to Grand Caribe Heliport, Ambergris Caye: $1,493
- Private Arrival Transfer: Belize International Airport to San Ignacio Hotels: $160
- Tours&airport transfer: $128
- Private Transfer: Belize Airports or Water Taxi Terminal to Hotel in San Ignacio: $96
- Belize Travelcation Airport Shuttle & Transfers: $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Managua to Granada: $52
- San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
- Private Transfer in Nicaragua: $110
- Private Transfer from and To Poneloya or Las Peñitas Beach- Leon, Nicaragua: $68
- Private Transfer From Managua International Airport: $17
- Private Airport Transfer: from Managua to Augusto C Sandino Int. Airport (MGA): $13
- Private Airport Transfer: Augusto C Sandino Int. Airport (MGA) to Managua: $13
- Popoyo Beach Transfer: $90
- One-Way Private Transfer from Managua to San Juan del Sur: $146
- One-Way Private Transfer from Managua to Granada: $83
- Las Peñitas or Poneloya beach Transfer: $67
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
-
Food Meals for one dayBelize City $22Managua $14
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:
- Private Mayan Cooking and Tasting Experience in Cayo: $70
- See and Taste Belize Cave Tubing and Food Tour: $77
- Belize Cultural Food Tour Altun Ha Ruin Included: $95
- Mestizo Food Tour (Rum & Ruin Included): $125
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Belize City $23Managua $13
Tours and Activities in Belize City
For Belize City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4-Day Aktun Tunichil Muknal and Lamanai City Tour: $560
- 5-Day Belize Sea and Land Adventure: $799
- 7-Night Tour Including The Orchid Garden Eco-Village Lodge and Ambergris Caye: $1,399
- 9-Day Tour Including Tikal Islander and Ambergris Caye: $1,499
- All Day Reef fishing tour with lunch from Belize City: $540
- Altun Ha & Belize City Tour from Caye Caulker: $163
- Altun Ha Cave Tubing and Zip line Tours from Belize City: $208
- Altun Ha City v.i.v Tour: $79
- Altun Ha Maya & Belize City Adventure: $85
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and River Wallace and Manatee Watch Tour: $85
- Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $70
- Altun Ha and Belize City Tour from San Pedro: $180
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
- 3 full days tour at Granada, Masaya and Leon area from Managua: $271
- 4-Days Tour in Colonial Nicaragua: $1,090
- 5-Day Granada Adventure from Managua: $853
- 7-Day Best of Nicaragua Experience from Managua: $914
- 7-Day Volcano Adventure: $1,587
- Amazing Masaya Volcano at Night "Private Tour": $54
- Best of Nicaragua 7-Day Tour: Lakes, Islands and Volcanoes: $1,608
- Boat ride + Colonial city tour at Granada+Catarina lookout: $68
- Boat ride on lake Granada+Colonial sightseeing+Night tour at Masaya volcano: $68
- Boat tour + Granada City +Masaya Volcano Night Tour: $68
- Boat tour+Granada City and Catarina lookout: $68
- Cerro Negro Volcano Boarding & Boat Tour: $145
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBelize City $9.57Managua $8.95
Sample the Local Flavors in Managua
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Managua:
- Private Flor de Caña Rum Distillery and León City: $165
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.
When is the best time to visit Belize City or Managua?
Both destinations experience a tropical climate with warm 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. Plenty of visitors come to Belize City because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Managua because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.
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 are around 28°C (82°F), and Managua is about 27°C (81°F).
-
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 tropical climate. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate.
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. Temperatures in Belize City average around 26°C (80°F), and Managua stays around 27°C (81°F).
-
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 tropical climate attracts visitors to Belize City throughout the year. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Managua 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 temperature in Belize City is usually 24°C (74°F) in January, and Managua stays around 26°C (79°F).
-
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 tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Managua because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.
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 are around 27°C (80°F), and Managua is about 29°C (84°F).
-
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) |
Related Articles for Belize City
Related Articles for Managua
Budget Your Trip
Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.More City Comparisons
San Pedro vs. Belize CitySan Pedro vs. Managua
San Ignacio vs. Belize City
San Ignacio vs. Managua
Belize City vs. San Pedro La Laguna
Belize City vs. Flores
Belize City vs. Guatemala City
Belize City vs. Antigua Guatemala
Belize City vs. Roatan
Belize City vs. La Ceiba
Belize City vs. Copan
Belize City vs. San Juan del Sur
Belize City vs. Isla de Ometepe
Belize City vs. Leon
Belize City vs. Granada
Belize City vs. San Jose
Belize City vs. Quepos
Belize City vs. Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)
Belize City vs. Santa Elena
Belize City vs. Liberia
Belize City vs. Jaco
Belize City vs. La Fortuna
Belize City vs. Pedasi
Belize City vs. Panama City
Belize City vs. David
Belize City vs. Boquete
Belize City vs. Bocas del Toro
Belize City vs. Tamarindo
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.