Which place is cheaper, Managua or Guatemala City?
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 Guatemala City or Managua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Guatemala City 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: Guatemala City or Managua?
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.
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Guatemala City Prices
Guatemala PricesManagua Prices
Nicaragua Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuatemala City $56Managua $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $56, 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 Guatemala City and Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuatemala City $24Managua $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuatemala City $48Managua $46
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Managua
Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City 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: Guatemala City Hotel Prices and Managua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guatemala City $6.23Managua $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Puerto Quetzal Port: $208
- Private Transfer - Guatemala Airport (GUA) to Puerto Quetzal Port: $207
- Private Transfers from Guatemala city to Panajachel: $200
- Private transfer - San Pedro la Laguna to Guatemala City: $200
- Guatemala Airport (GUA) to San Felipe de Lara - Arrival Transfer: $186
- Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $166
- Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $120
- Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $90
- Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $80
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
- One way private transfer to Antigua: $69
- Private Transfer From La Aurora AirPort to Panajachel Atitlan : $67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport transfer or hotels in Nicaragua : $25
- Transfer, Transportation, Shuttle and Tours : $30
- From Leon: One way shared transfer to Managua: $39
- Granada: One way shared transfer to Managua: $39
- One way shared transfer to Leon: $39
- From One way shared transfer to Granada: $39
- San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Managua: $57
- One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $57
- From One way shared transfer to San Jorge: $59
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $63
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
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Food Meals for one dayGuatemala City $27Managua $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.
- Cooking class/Pepian Workshop: $35
- MAYAN COOKING Class with Private Chef: $65
- Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class: $90
- Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
- Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Surrounded by The Volcano: $175
- Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guatemala City $1.22Managua $16
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- 2-Hour Culture and Historical Tour From Guatemala: $29
- 3 Days Tour in Acatenango Volcano: $240
- 3-Day Antigua Guatemala and Pacaya Volcano Adventure: $256
- 4-Hour Bike Tour Guatemala City: $70
- Antigua + Guatemala City Full Day Tour - History Lovers Favorite: $245
- Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $78
- Antigua Guatemala , Full-Day Shared Tour from Guatemala City: $75
- Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $58
- Antigua walking tour from Guatemala City : $90
- Atitlan Boat Tour from Guatemala City: $214
- Bike Tour to Antigua Villages from Guatemala City : $175
- Chichicastenango - Panajachel collective tour: $150
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
- Masaya Volcano Tour: $53
- Private Capital City Tour Managua: $60
- Granada Isletas and City tour: $68
- PRIVATE Day trip Granada Isletas +Colonial City tour from Managua: $80
- PRIVATE Boat ride + Colonial city tour at Granada+Catarina lookout: $80
- Managua City Tour: $84
- PRIVATE Boat tour + Granada City + Catarina lookout: $85
- full tour Somoto Canyon Nicaragua: $86
- From Managua/Granada: Managua Capital City Tour: $90
- PRIVATE Granada+Apoyo Lagoon and Masaya volcano tour: $96
- Managua City Tour: $98
- Full day tour: Granada + Boat ride+Handicraft Market+Catarina: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuatemala City $6.91Managua $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Guatemala City
Also in Guatemala City, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Guatemala City Legends Tour + Craft Beers at El Cadejo Brewery: $105
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guatemala City Expensive? and Is Managua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Managua?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Managua. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City 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.