Should you visit Guatemala City or Managua?
Should I visit Guatemala City or Managua? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Guatemala City
Referred to by the locals as "Guate," Guatemala City is the largest and most modern city in Guatemala, as well as its capital. While the atmosphere of the place is big, dirty, and dangerous with city fumes and skyscrapers, it is the hub of the country. It is the place where travelers first step foot into Guatemala and, though it is a place of modern chaos, it does have some of the best galleries and museums as well as a selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Managua or Guatemala City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $36, while the average daily cost in Managua is $44. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Guatemala City and Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $20. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Guatemala City the cost is $40 on average.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $36 in Managua For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Guatemala City is $5.00 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
To get around in Managua, the average visitor spends $16 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
-
Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Coban:
$155
-
Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, Lake Atitlan:
$128
-
Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlán:
$120
-
Transfer from Airport to Antigua:
$70
-
Private Airport Transfer: Guatemala to La Aurora International Airport (GUA):
$38
-
Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala:
$28
-
Airport transfer from Guatemala City airport to Antigua:
$26
-
Collective Transfer From Guatemala City to La Aurora Airport:
$20
-
Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Antigua:
$16
-
Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels:
$14
-
Shared Departure Transfer: Guatemala City Hotels to Airport:
$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Airport Transfer: Augusto C Sandino Int. Airport (MGA) to Managua:
$13
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Managua to Augusto C Sandino Int. Airport (MGA):
$13
-
Private Transfer From Managua International Airport:
$17
-
Granada Transfer:
$44
-
San Jorge Rivas Transfer:
$47
-
Transfer Managua to Granada:
$52
-
San Juan Del Sur Transfer:
$56
-
Las Peñitas or Poneloya beach Transfer:
$67
-
Private Transfer from and To Poneloya or Las Peñitas Beach- Leon, Nicaragua:
$68
-
One-Way Private Transfer from Managua to Granada:
$83
-
Popoyo Beach Transfer:
$90
-
Private Transfer in Nicaragua:
$110
Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Managua?
Prices for flights to both Managua and Guatemala City 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
On average, meal and food prices in Guatemala City cost around $12 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $4.80.
In Managua travelers spend around $15 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Guatemala City $12
Managua $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.
-
Taste Antigua Guatemala Walking Food Tour:
$70
-
Guatemala Food Tour from Guatemala City:
$117
-
Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City:
$118
-
Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City:
$178
Entertainment
Guatemala City's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $0.98 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
In Managua, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $13 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
-
11-Day Mayan Ruins Tour: Guatemala and Copán:
$1,859
-
2 Day Tour Share and Private to Copan and Quirigua:
$247
-
2 Day Tour: Chichicastenango Market and Lake Atitlan from Guatemala City:
$150
-
2-Day Chichicastenango and Lake Atitlan Tour from Guatemala City or Antigua:
$265
-
2-Day Tour: Auto Safari Chapín Zoo and Monterrico Black Sand Beach from Guatemala City or Antigua:
$276
-
3-Day Tour of Cobán and Semuc Champey from Guatemala City:
$391
-
4-Day Tour: Guatemala City, Antigua, Chichicastenango Market and Lake Atitlan:
$345
-
5-Day Tour from Antigua, Chichicastenango, Panajachel and Santiago Atitlán:
$439
-
6-Day Tour: Traditional Guatemala Including Antigua, Chichicastenango Market, Lake Atitlan and Tikal:
$910
-
8-Day Best of Guatemala Tour: Antigua, Pacaya Volcano, Lake Atitlan and Tikal Ruins:
$1,508
-
Acatenango Volcano Overnight Adventure from Guatemala City:
$295
-
Antigua City Tour Full Day From Guatemala City:
$60
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
-
Masaya Volcano Night Tour:
$34
-
Masaya Volcano National Park Evening Tour, with hotel pickup:
$34
-
Nicaragua Private Guide and Transportation Service: Customized Tours:
$47
-
Masaya Volcano Night Tour from Granada:
$48
-
Coffee Tour:
$49
-
Amazing Masaya Volcano at Night "Private Tour":
$54
-
Granada+Apoyo Lagoon +handicraft market+ Masaya volcano night tour:
$55
-
Laguna de apoyo day pass + masaya volcano lava tour:
$60
-
Laguna de Apoyo Day pass plus Masaya Volcano Night Tour:
$60
-
Managua City Tour:
$65
-
Granada Isletas +Colonial City tour:
$68
-
Granada Isletas and City tour:
$68
Alcohol
The average person spends about $5.55 on alcoholic beverages in Guatemala City per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Managua, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $9.11.
Sample the Local Flavors in Managua
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Managua:
-
Private Flor de Caña Rum Distillery and León City:
$165
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guatemala City and Managua, we can see that Managua is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Guatemala City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guatemala City 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 Managua would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Managua than you might in Guatemala City.
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