A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Brasilia vs. Leon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Brasilia or Leon?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Brasilia and Leon can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Brasilia or Leon?

Brasilia

The capital city of Brazil, Brasilia is a uniquely-planned city that was constructed in four years from 1956-1960 in the shape of a large bird or airplane. Renowned for its modern architecture, the city listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and attracts architecture aficionados worldwide.

Leon

Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.

With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours in Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.


Which place is cheaper, Leon or Brasilia?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Brasilia is $83, while the average daily cost in Leon is $59. 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 Brasilia and Leon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Brasilia $35
    Leon $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Brasilia $70
    Leon $32
Compare Hotels in Brasilia and Leon

Looking for a hotel in Brasilia or Leon? 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 Brasilia


Hotels in Leon


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: Brasilia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Brasilia $22
    Leon $1.51

Is it cheaper to fly into Brasilia or Leon?

Prices for flights to both Leon and Brasilia 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
    Brasilia $32
    Leon $12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon

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

  • Tlakualli Food Tour: $19

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Brasilia $19
    Leon $5.81

Tours and Activities in Leon

Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Half Day Private Tour of Cerro Negro's Volcano Boarding: $35
  • Leon City Walking Private Tour : $48
  • Rum Tour & Chorotega Museum Experience: $62
  • Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour" : $67
  • Old Leon and Asososca Lagoon Private Tour: $82
  • Volcano Boarding Private Tour : $84
  • Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92
  • Telica Sunset Tour : $93
  • Horseback Riding Private Tour : $103
  • Half-Day Leon City Tour: $135
  • Somoto Canyon "Private Tour from Leon" : $154
  • 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $163

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Brasilia $14
    Leon $3.53


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brasilia and Leon, we can see that Brasilia is more expensive. And not only is Leon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brasilia is in South America and Leon 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 Leon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leon 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 Brasilia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brasilia than you might in Leon.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Brasilia Expensive? and Is Leon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Brasilia or Leon?

Brasilia has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Leon. When comparing the sizes of Brasilia and Leon, 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.