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

Should you visit Bucharest or Managua?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Managua. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Bucharest or Managua?

Bucharest

Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.


Which place is cheaper, Managua or Bucharest?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $140, 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 Bucharest and Managua in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bucharest $64
    Managua $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bucharest $128
    Managua $46
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Managua

Looking for a hotel in Bucharest 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 Bucharest


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: Bucharest Hotel Prices and Managua Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bucharest $27
    Managua $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:

  • Bucharest to Sofia Private Transfer: $648
  • Bucharest to Sofia - Private Transfer: $588
  • Private Transfer From Cluj to Bucharest: $507
  • Bucharest Airport: Private Transfer To / From Pitesti: $453
  • Bucharest to Mihail Kogalniceanu - Private Transfer: $348
  • Mihail Kogalniceanu to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $348
  • Bucharest to Veliko Tarnovo - Private Transfer: $327
  • Bucharest to Fetesti - Private Transfer: $327
  • Bucharest to Craiova - Private Transfer: $305
  • Transfer From Bucharest Airport To Sofia Bulgaria: $293
  • Transfer Bucharest Airport to Brasov: $290
  • Bucharest to Mihail Kogalniceanu Airport Constanta - Private Guided Transfer : $286

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua

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

  • From Leon: One way shared transfer to Managua: $39
  • From One way shared transfer to Granada: $39
  • From One way shared transfer to San Jorge: $59
  • From San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Leon: $39
  • Granada: Managua to Granada Airport private transfer: $75
  • Granada: One way shared transfer to Managua: $39
  • Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $33
  • Managua to Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) - Departure Transfer: $33
  • Managua-Leon: Airport private transfer from to Managua /Leon: $100
  • Managua-San juan del sur: Airport private transfer: $125
  • Airport private transfer from Managua.: $25
  • One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $57

Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Managua?

Prices for flights to both Managua and Bucharest 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
    Bucharest $59
    Managua $17

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest

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

  • Dinner &tour at Museum of Communism after closing: $51
  • Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $82
  • Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $85
  • Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $87
  • Cooking Class traditional food: $88
  • Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $96
  • Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $98
  • Discover Private Highlights and Traditional Food Tour: $109
  • Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $130
  • Historical and Cultural Tour with Romanian Cuisine dinner: $142
  • 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $204
  • Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $230

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bucharest $15
    Managua $16

Tours and Activities in Bucharest

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

  • Bears Sanctuary, Dracula's Castle, Brasov Day Trip Private Tour from Bucharest: $251
  • Bucharest Panoramic Sightseeing - Private City Tour: $104
  • Dracula's Castle & Peles Palace Tour from Bucharest Including Brasov Old Town: $187
  • Walking Tour - Delightful Bucharest (Old Town & Victory Avenue): $17
  • 1 Day 4x4 Tour in Carpathian Mountains: $175
  • 1 Day Castles Tour - Sinaia and Bran: $138
  • 1-Day Guided Tour: Bucharest-Peles, Dracula Castle & Brassov: $27
  • 1-Day Private Car Tour: Peles, Dracula Castle & Brasov: $218
  • 10 h Ceausescu Communism Private Tour in Bucharest plus Dracula's Grave : $242
  • 10 hours Private Apiary Tour in Romania - From Bucharest: $275
  • 10h Bucharest City Tour & Snagov Monastery (Dracula's Grave): $261
  • 14 Days Private Tour in Romania, Moldova & Transnistria: $4,791

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 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 + Catarina lookout: $85
  • full tour Somoto Canyon Nicaragua: $86
  • PRIVATE Granada+Apoyo Lagoon and Masaya volcano night tour: $96
  • Managua Love Stories: A Walking Tour: $98

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bucharest $9.37
    Managua $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest

Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Weekend Pub Crawl: $24
  • Romanian Wine Tasting Experience at Corks: $28
  • Bachelor Party Custom Bar Crawl: $38
  • Bucharest Guided Pub Crawl: $39
  • Bar Crawling: $44
  • Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $48
  • Private Romanian Wine Tasting in UrlaČ›i: $52
  • Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $53
  • Private Wine Tasting Experience: $54
  • Guided Pub Crawl in Bucharest: $56
  • Bucharest Private Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $57
  • Wine Tasting in Bucharest long version: $65


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Managua, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Managua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bucharest 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive? and Is Managua Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Managua?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 93% larger than the population of Managua. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest 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 Bucharest or Managua?

Bucharest 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 Bucharest or Managua in the Summer?

Both Managua and Bucharest during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round.

In July, Bucharest is generally cooler than Managua. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 23°C (73°F), and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Bucharest. In the summer, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than Managua. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 175 hours of full sun.

Managua gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bucharest usually gets less rain in July than Managua. Bucharest gets 64 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
    Bucharest 23°C (73°F) 
    Managua 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Bucharest or Managua in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Managua. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Bucharest is much colder than Managua in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Managua during autumn. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Managua receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Managua. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Managua receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


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

Should I visit Bucharest or Managua in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Managua. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year.

Bucharest can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Bucharest is much colder than Managua. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bucharest in January average around -1°C (29°F), and Managua averages at about 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Managua. In the winter, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Managua. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 244 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets more rain in January than Managua. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Managua receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bucharest -1°C (29°F) 
    Managua 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Bucharest or Managua in the Spring?

Both Managua and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to Managua because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Bucharest is generally much colder than Managua. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 12°C (54°F), and Managua fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

It's quite sunny in Managua. Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Managua during spring. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bucharest usually receives more rain than Managua. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Managua receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bucharest 12°C (54°F) 
    Managua 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Managua and Bucharest

Bucharest Managua
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -1°C (29°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 1°C (34°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 29°C (84°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 29°C (84°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 77 mm (3 in) 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 151 mm (5.9 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in)
Oct 13°C (55°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.8 in)
Nov 6°C (44°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 31°C (88°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 1°C (34°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)