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

Should you visit Islamabad or Managua?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Islamabad and Managua can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Islamabad or Managua?

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.

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 Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.


Which place is cheaper, Managua or Islamabad?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, 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 Islamabad and Managua in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Islamabad $20
    Managua $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Islamabad $40
    Managua $46
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Managua

Looking for a hotel in Islamabad 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 Islamabad


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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Managua Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Islamabad $7.67
    Managua $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad

Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
  • Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
  • Islamabad Round Trip Airport Transfer & Customizable Day Trip: $95
  • Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
  • Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
  • Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua

Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Managua-San juan del sur: Airport private transfer: $125
  • Private Transfer in Nicaragua: $110
  • Transfer From Managua International Airport: $90
  • Popoyo Beach Transfer: $90
  • Managua-Leon: Airport private transfer from to Managua /Leon: $85
  • Rivas: Managua to Rivas Airport private transfer: $75
  • Private Transfer from Managua Augusto Airport to Corinto Port: $71
  • Private Transfer from Managua City Hotels to Corinto Cruise Port: $71
  • Transfer from and To Poneloya or Las Peñitas Beach- Leon, Nicaragua: $68
  • Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $66
  • Granada: Managua to Granada Airport private transfer: $64
  • PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56

Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Managua?

Prices for flights to both Managua and Islamabad 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
    Islamabad $15
    Managua $17

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Islamabad $9.48
    Managua $16

Tours and Activities in Islamabad

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.

  • Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
  • From 15 Day Trekking Tour of Thalay and Nangma: $3,070
  • From 9-Day Colors of Hunza Valley Cultural Tour: $2,065
  • From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
  • From Full Day Historical Peshawar Guided City Tour: $160
  • From Skardu and Baltistan Cultural Tour with Food: $2,339
  • Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $99
  • Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
  • Full-day Essential Islamabad Tour: $150
  • Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
  • Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
  • City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95

Tours and Activities in Managua

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.

  • 3 full days PRIVATE tour at Granada, Masaya and Leon area from Managua: $210
  • Amazing Masaya Volcano at Night "Private Tour" : $88
  • Between Volcanoes Tours; Granada-Masaya.: $155
  • Granada Isletas and City tour: $68
  • Laguna de Apoyo Day pass plus Masaya Volcano Night Tour: $60
  • Managua City Tour: $84
  • Managua City Tour: $88
  • Managua Love Stories: A Romantic Tour: $191
  • Managua’s Historic Gems: A Cultural Walking Tour: $323
  • Managua’s Historic Gems: A Cultural Walking Tour: $164
  • Masaya Volcano Night Tour: $53
  • Masaya volcano Night Tour: $110

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Islamabad $2.88
    Managua $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Managua, we can see that Managua is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Islamabad is in Asia 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 Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.

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


Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Managua?

Managua has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad 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 Islamabad or Managua?

Islamabad 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 Islamabad or Managua in the Summer?

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

It's very hot in Islamabad this time of the year. Islamabad is a little warmer than Managua in the summer. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 32°C (90°F) in July, and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually receives more sunshine than Managua during summer. Islamabad gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Managua. It's quite rainy in Islamabad. In July, Islamabad usually receives more rain than Managua. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Managua receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Islamabad 32°C (90°F) 
    Managua 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Managua in the Autumn?

Both Managua and Islamabad during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round.

In the autumn, Islamabad is around the same temperature as Managua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Islamabad in October average around 26°C (80°F), and Managua averages at about 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Islamabad. In the autumn, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Managua. Islamabad gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 195 hours of full sun.

Managua gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Islamabad usually gets less rain in October than Managua. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Managua receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Islamabad 26°C (80°F) 
    Managua 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Managua in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Managua. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Islamabad is generally much colder than Managua. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 14°C (57°F), and Managua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Managua this time of the year. In Islamabad, it's very sunny this time of the year. Islamabad usually receives less sunshine than Managua during winter. Islamabad gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Islamabad usually receives more rain than Managua. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Managua receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Islamabad 14°C (57°F) 
    Managua 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Managua in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Managua. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year.

Islamabad is around the same temperature as Managua in the spring. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Managua fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Managua. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. In the spring, Islamabad often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Managua. Islamabad gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 242 hours of full sun.

Islamabad usually gets more rain in April than Managua. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Managua receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Islamabad 27°C (80°F) 
    Managua 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Managua and Islamabad

Islamabad Managua
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in) 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
May 32°C (89°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 29°C (84°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Jun 35°C (94°F) 52 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Jul 32°C (90°F) 237 mm (9.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)
Aug 31°C (89°F) 221 mm (8.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 151 mm (5.9 in)
Sep 31°C (87°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in)
Oct 26°C (80°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.8 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 31°C (88°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)