A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. Managua for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bern or Managua?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Bern 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: Bern or Managua?

Bern

The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.


Which place is cheaper, Managua or Bern?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bern is $252, 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 Bern and Managua in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bern $163
    Managua $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bern $326
    Managua $46
Compare Hotels in Bern and Managua

Looking for a hotel in Bern 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.

Hotels in Bern


Hotels in Managua


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: Bern Hotel Prices and Managua Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bern $34
    Managua $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:

  • Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $228
  • Private Transfer From Bern To Basel With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $214
  • Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $192
  • Private Car Departure Transfer from Bern to Bern Airport BRN: $73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua

Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport private transfer from Managua.: $25
  • Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $33
  • Managua to Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) - Departure Transfer: $33
  • San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
  • PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
  • Granada: Managua to Granada Airport private transfer: $64
  • Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $66
  • Transfer from and To Poneloya or Las Peñitas Beach- Leon, Nicaragua: $68
  • Private Transfer from Managua Augusto Airport to Corinto Port: $71
  • Private Transfer from Managua City Hotels to Corinto Cruise Port: $71
  • Rivas: Managua to Rivas Airport private transfer: $75
  • Managua-Leon: Airport private transfer from to Managua /Leon: $85

Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Managua?

Prices for flights to both Managua and Bern 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 day
    Bern $60
    Managua $17

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bern

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bern.

  • Cooking delicious Spanish paella in Switzerland.: $66

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bern $34
    Managua $16

Tours and Activities in Bern

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:

  • 007 Elegance:Exclusive Private Tour to Schilthorn from Bern: $633
  • Alpine Heights: Small Group Tour to Jungfraujoch from Bern: $598
  • Beautiful Bern's Old Town: Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Bern : Highlights & Hidden Gems Walking Tour: $81
  • Bern : Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide (Private tour): $59
  • Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $7.00
  • Bern Highlights Small-Group Walking Tour with a Local: $157
  • Bern Historical UNESCO Old Town Private Tour: $162
  • Bern Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $60
  • Bern Old City Walking Tour: $464
  • Bern Old Town - Private Historic Walking Tour: $537
  • Bern Private Walking Tour: $336

Tours and Activities in Managua

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.

  • Private lava tour-Masaya Volcano from Managua: $49
  • Masaya Volcano Night Tour: $53
  • Laguna de Apoyo Day pass plus Masaya Volcano Night Tour: $60
  • Granada Isletas and City tour: $68
  • PRIVATE Laguna de apoyo day pass + masaya volcano lava tour: $70
  • PRIVATE Boat ride + Colonial city tour at Granada+Catarina lookout: $80
  • PRIVATE Day trip Granada Isletas +Colonial City tour from Managua: $80
  • Managua City Tour: $84
  • PRIVATE Boat tour + Granada City +Masaya Volcano Night Tour : $85
  • full tour Somoto Canyon Nicaragua: $86
  • PRIVATE Boat tour+Granada City and Catarina lookout from Managua: $88
  • Managua City Tour: $88

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bern $27
    Managua $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bern and Managua, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Managua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bern is in Europe and Managua is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern 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 Bern Expensive? and Is Managua Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bern or Managua?

Managua has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern 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 Bern or Managua?

Bern has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Managua experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Managua in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bern as well as Managua. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bern this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year.

Bern is cooler than Managua in the summer. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bern this time of the year. In the summer, Bern often gets more sunshine than Managua. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 175 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Managua. Bern usually gets less rain in July than Managua. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Managua receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bern 21°C (70°F) 
    Managua 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Bern or Managua in the Autumn?

Both Managua and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Managua because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Bern is much colder than Managua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bern in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Managua averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Bern usually receives less sunshine than Managua during autumn. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Managua. In October, Bern usually receives less rain than Managua. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Managua receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bern 13°C (55°F) 
    Managua 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Bern or Managua in the Winter?

Both Managua and Bern during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bern in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round.

Bern can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Bern is generally much colder than Managua. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 3°C (37°F), and Managua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In Managua, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Bern often gets less sunshine than Managua. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 244 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in January than Managua. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Managua receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bern 3°C (37°F) 
    Managua 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Bern or Managua in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Managua. Most visitors come to Bern for the natural beauty during these months. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Bern is much colder than Managua in the spring. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Managua fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Managua this time of the year. Bern usually receives less sunshine than Managua during spring. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bern usually receives more rain than Managua. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Managua receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bern 11°C (52°F) 
    Managua 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Managua and Bern

Bern Managua
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 4°C (40°F) 51 mm (2 in) 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 50 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 29°C (84°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 76 mm (3 in) 29°C (84°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Jun 19°C (65°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)
Aug 20°C (69°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 151 mm (5.9 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in)
Oct 13°C (55°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.8 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 31°C (88°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 4°C (38°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)