Which place is cheaper, Managua or Buzios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Buzios or Managua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Buzios 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: Buzios or Managua?
Buzios
Initially a fishing village, Armação dos Buzios is a small beach resort town about three hours from Rio de Janeiro by bus. Buzios is a common weekend getaway destination for Cariocas. With 23 beaches, visitors from all over come to swim, snorkel, surf and enjoy sun and sand.
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 Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.
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Buzios Prices
Brazil PricesManagua Prices
Nicaragua Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuzios $91Managua $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Buzios is $91, while the average daily cost in Managua is $67. 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 Buzios and Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuzios $36Managua $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuzios $72Managua $46
Compare Hotels in Buzios and Managua
Looking for a hotel in Buzios 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: Managua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buzios $18Managua $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buzios
Also for Buzios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer Buzios in Rio to the SDU Airport : $182
- Private transfer from Buzios to the GIG Airport : $182
- Private Transfer from GIG Airport to City Buzios in Rio : $170
- Private transfer Minivan from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 6 pax to Buzios: $134
- Private Transfer from Buzios Port to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB): $118
- Private Transfer from Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Buzios Port: $118
- Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 4 pax to Buzios: $115
- Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Buzios: $115
- Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $91
- Private Transfer from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro: $91
- Private Transfer Buzios to Rio de Janeiro: $91
- Rio de Janeiro Transfer from Buzios to Airport (GIG)(SDU): $73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $127
- Managua-San juan del sur: Airport private transfer: $125
- Nicaragua Private Transfer Service Managua and San Juan del Sur: $100
- Transfer From Managua International Airport: $90
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $63
- From One way shared transfer to San Jorge: $59
- One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $57
- San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Managua: $57
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
- Granada: One way shared transfer to Managua: $39
- One way shared transfer to Leon: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Buzios or Managua?
Prices for flights to both Managua and Buzios 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 dayBuzios $40Managua $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buzios $25Managua $16
Tours and Activities in Buzios
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Buzios.
- Buzios Trolley City Tour: $31
- 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $31
- Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Arraial do Cabo: $120
- Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Búzios: $93
- Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Cabo Frio: $112
- Boat Tour Open Bar A Floor Arraial do Cabo : $13
- Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo: $23
- Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo from Buzios with Lunch: $60
- Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $19
- Buggy Tour in Arraial do Cabo by Arraial Viagens: $58
- Cabo Frio Full-Day Tour From Buzios with Lunch: $64
- Catamaran Boat Tour in Búzios: $26
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
- Granada + Boat ride+Handicraft Market+Catarina+ Lava tour: $120
- Granada lake +Colonial City + Lava tour Masaya volcano: $60
- 3 full day tour at Granada, Lava tour and Leon : $210
- Amazing Masaya Volcano at Night "Private Tour" : $88
- Apoyo Lagoon + Lava tour: $48
- Between Volcanoes Tours; Granada-Masaya.: $155
- Complete Tour of Granada and Masaya: History, Beauty & Tradition: $115
- Discover the Best of Managua on a Private City Tour: $60
- Granada Isletas and City tour: $68
- Managua Capital City Private Tour: $90
- Managua City Tour: $98
- Managua City Tour: $84
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuzios $17Managua $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buzios and Managua, we can see that Buzios is more expensive. And not only is Managua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Buzios is in South America 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 Buzios would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Buzios 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 Buzios Expensive? and Is Managua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buzios or Managua?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Buzios. When comparing the sizes of Buzios 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.
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.