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

Should you visit Dakar or Managua?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dakar or Managua, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Dakar or Managua?

Dakar

Located in West Africa, Dakar is the capital city of Senegal and an Atlantic port on the Cap-Vert peninsula. Main attractions include the city's markets, the Dakar Grand Mosque, Goree Island, the IFAN Museum, the African Renaissance Monument, beaches, and the Senegal Zoo.

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 Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.


Which place is cheaper, Managua or Dakar?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Dakar is $61, 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 Dakar and Managua in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dakar $32
    Managua $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dakar $64
    Managua $46
Compare Hotels in Dakar and Managua

Looking for a hotel in Dakar 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 Dakar


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: Managua Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dakar $5.37
    Managua $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:

  • Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $211
  • Transfer - Dakar <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $197
  • DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $120
  • Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $82
  • Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $66
  • AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49

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 Dakar or Managua?

Prices for flights to both Managua and Dakar 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
    Dakar $20
    Managua $17
Typical Food Prices in Dakar

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:


  • Breakfast
    $4.11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dakar

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

  • Senegalese Street Food Tour in Dakar: $115

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dakar $14
    Managua $16

Tours and Activities in Dakar

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

  • Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130
  • 2-day tour Lac rose- desert of Lompoul: $290
  • Accro Baobab Adventure Ticket Entry: $38
  • Dakar City Tour and Goree Island: $162
  • Pink Lake and Turtle Village Half-Day Tour: $200
  • Private City Tour: $109
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $30
  • Day trip Goree island and Dakar city tour : $159
  • From Dakar or Saly: Half-Day Tour to Pink Lake: $138
  • From Dakar/Saly: Half-Day Bandia Wildlife Reserve Tour: $247
  • Full Day Goree Island And Dakar City Tour(Minimum 2 Participants): $142
  • Full Day Private Tour in move, eat, act like a local: $109

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
    Dakar $9.00
    Managua $11


When comparing the travel costs between Dakar and Managua, we can see that Dakar is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Dakar is in Africa and Managua is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Dakar or Managua?

Dakar has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Managua. When comparing the sizes of Dakar 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 Dakar or Managua?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Dakar or Managua in the Summer?

Both Managua and Dakar during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round.

Managua gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dakar usually gets less rain in July than Managua. Dakar gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Managua receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Dakar. In the summer, Dakar often gets more sunshine than Managua. Dakar gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 175 hours of full sun.

Dakar is around the same temperature as Managua in the summer. The daily temperature in Dakar averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dakar 28°C (82°F) 
    Managua 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Dakar or Managua in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dakar and Managua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Managua receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Dakar usually receives less rain than Managua. Dakar gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Managua receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Managua during autumn. Dakar gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Dakar is around the same temperature as Managua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dakar in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Managua averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dakar 28°C (82°F) 
    Managua 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Dakar or Managua in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dakar as well as Managua. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year.

Dakar usually gets more rain in January than Managua. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Managua receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Managua. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. In the winter, Dakar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Managua. Dakar gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 244 hours of full sun.

In January, Dakar is generally cooler than Managua. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 22°C (72°F), and Managua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dakar 22°C (72°F) 
    Managua 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Dakar or Managua in the Spring?

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

In April, Dakar usually receives more rain than Managua. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Managua receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in Managua. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Managua during spring. Dakar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.

Dakar is cooler than Managua in the spring. The daily temperature in Dakar averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Managua fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dakar 21°C (70°F) 
    Managua 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Managua and Dakar

Dakar Managua
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Jun 26°C (79°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 50 mm (2 in) 27°C (81°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 151 mm (5.9 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.8 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 31°C (88°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)