Which place is cheaper, Managua or Bucharest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBucharest $139Managua $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $139, 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBucharest $63Managua $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBucharest $126Managua $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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bucharest $26Managua $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Bucharest to Sofia - Private Transfer: $584
- Bucharest to Sofia Private Transfer: $451
- Bucharest to Mihail Kogalniceanu - Private Transfer: $346
- Mihail Kogalniceanu to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $346
- Bucharest to Veliko Tarnovo - Private Transfer: $325
- Bucharest to Fetesti - Private Transfer: $325
- Bucharest to Craiova - Private Transfer: $303
- Transfer Bucharest Airport to Brasov: $290
- Bucharest to Tulcea - Private Guided Transfer - Driver and Car : $285
- Bucharest (Romania) to Veliko Tarnavo (Bulgaria) - Private Guided Transfer : $285
- Bucharest to Brasov - Private Transfer from Henri Coanda International Airport: $274
- Bucharest to Fetesti - Private Transfer - Car and Driver: $274
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from and To Poneloya or Las Peñitas Beach- Leon, Nicaragua: $68
- Granada: Managua to Granada Airport private transfer: $64
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $66
- 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: $85
- Managua-San juan del sur: Airport private transfer: $125
- Airport private transfer from Managua.: $25
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- Popoyo Beach Transfer: $90
- Private Transfer from Managua Augusto Airport to Corinto Port: $71
- Private Transfer from Managua City Hotels to Corinto Cruise Port: $71
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
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Food Meals for one dayBucharest $59Managua $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Dinner at the Museum of Communism - Traditional Food Tour: $54
- Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $60
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $64
- Cooking Class traditional food: $66
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $74
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $87
- Private Walking Food Tour - Culture, History & Traditions: $99
- Discover Private Highlights and Traditional Food Tour: $109
- Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $116
- Historical and Cultural Tour with Romanian Cuisine dinner: $142
- 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $203
- Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $229
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bucharest $15Managua $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: $93
- Transylvania Heritage Tour at Peles Bran and Cantacuzino Castles: $93
- 1 Day 4x4 Tour in Carpathian Mountains: $174
- 1 Day ATV Tour in Carpathian Mountains: $208
- 10h Bucharest City Tour & Snagov Monastery (Dracula's Grave): $260
- 14 Days Private Tour in Romania, Moldova & Transnistria: $4,761
- 2 Days Private Tour - The Romanian Caves from Bucharest: $563
- 2 Hour Photoshoot Experience Near Bucharest Architectural Charms: $99
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Bucharest City: $88
- 2-Day Medieval Transylvania with Brasov,Sibiu and Sighisoara Tour from Bucharest: $252
- 2-Day Small-Group Tour to Dracula's Castle, Rasnov Fortress, Peles Castle, Sighisoara and Libearty Brown Bear Sanctuary with Overnight in Brasov: $204
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBucharest $9.28Managua $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
- Bucharest Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $25
- From Romanian Wine Tasting Tour: $26
- Bachelors Party in Custom Bar Crawl: $38
- Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $43
- Private Wine Tasting Experience: $43
- Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $47
- Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $52
- Guided Pub Crawl in Bucharest: $56
- Bucharest Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $57
- Bucharest VIP Bar Crawl in Lipscani 'Old Town': $59
- Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting: $85
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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBucharest 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBucharest 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBucharest -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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBucharest 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) |
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.