A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kathmandu vs. Roatan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kathmandu or Roatan?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kathmandu and Roatan 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: Kathmandu or Roatan?

Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.

Roatan

Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.


Which place is cheaper, Roatan or Kathmandu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $56, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $42. 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 Kathmandu and Roatan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kathmandu $35
    Roatan $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kathmandu $70
    Roatan $20
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Roatan

Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Roatan? 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 Kathmandu


Hotels in Roatan


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: Kathmandu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kathmandu $6.14
    Roatan $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:

  • Kathmandu Airport Departure Transfer – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $9.00
  • Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $12
  • Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport: $15
  • Private car transfer from Kathmandu Airport to hotels in Kathmandu: $15
  • Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
  • Kathmandu Airport Transfer Service: $18
  • Tribhuvan International Airport Transfer Service: $20
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle: $20
  • Kathmandu Airport Transfer to hotels – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $20
  • Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V.: $22
  • Rent a Private Car with Driver for Kathmandu City Transfer: $25
  • Tribhuvan International Airport KTM Private Transfer to Kathmandu: $28

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:


  • Water Taxi
    $3.93

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:

  • Transfers to West End by night from hotels in West Bay or Sandy Bay: $25
  • Catch a ride to West End & back to Port, Hotel or Airport (Roundtrip Transfer): $60
  • Roatan Island hotels to Mahogany Bay Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $61
  • Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
  • West Bay Beach Day Pass & Private Transfer – Roatán: $89
  • Roatan Private Transfers: Airport, Cruise Port or Hotel: $110
  • Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan -Round-Trip Transfer: $112
  • Roatan Zipline, Monkey, Macaws & Sloths Eco Park, Snorkeling, Transfer: $128
  • King Kong Extreme Zipline, City Tour and Transfer: $130
  • Discover Scuba Diving in Roatan at Upachaya with Private Transfer: $150
  • Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $152
  • Scuba Dive in the West End of Roatan with Private Transfer: $155

Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Roatan?

Prices for flights to both Roatan and Kathmandu 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
    Kathmandu $14
    Roatan $15
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Dessert
    $1.19
  • Dinner for Two
    $2.65

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu

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

  • Saturday Hidden Kathmandu Walk and Food Tour: $9.50
  • Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu: $17
  • Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
  • Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $20
  • Cook and Eat: Cooking Class in Kathmandu near Thamel: $24
  • Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
  • Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking Class: $30
  • Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
  • Momo Cooking Class -The Art Of Making MoMo with Home Chef: $35
  • Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
  • Everest Eats Kathmandu Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
  • Newari Cooking Class with a Home Chef- From market to the plate.: $40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan

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

  • Cooking classes from a Local!: $245

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kathmandu $7.09
    Roatan $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Monkey Temple for Two
    $1.33
  • Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two
    $3.32
  • Swayambhunath Stupa
    $1.33

Tours and Activities in Kathmandu

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:

  • Kathmandu Full Day Sightseeing Tour: $5.00
  • Private tour of Major highlights of Kathmandu top rated places: $5.00
  • Full Day Guided Tour in Kathmandu: $5.00
  • Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $8.00
  • Tourist Bus Kathmandu to Chitwan: $9.50
  • Private Full Day Kathmandu Day Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Heritage Sites: $10
  • Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Hike & Tour - Private/Group: $10
  • Full Day Top 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $10
  • Kathmandu UNESCO Tour with 1 Hour Sound Healing Session: $10
  • Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square Day Tour with Lunch.: $10
  • Chitwan to Pokhara Tourist Bus Sofa seater: $11
  • Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Tickets: $11

Tours and Activities in Roatan

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:

  • Organized trips and adventures: $26
  • Custom Private Roatan Shuttle Tour: Explore at Your Own Pace: $30
  • Roatan VIP island tour in Honduras: $36
  • Roatan Fun Bus Group Sightseeing Island Private Tour: $37
  • Roatan Private and Public Action Snorkel Tours and Charters: $39
  • Roatan Island Tours, Sightseeing and Shopping Adventures: $39
  • Roatán Ron and Chocolate Custom Tour.: $40
  • Roatan Comprehensive Real Estate Tour Experience: $45
  • Customizable Island Tour While on Roatan: $45
  • Roatan private customizable Tour chocolate Rum History: $45
  • Roatan Private Tour , Culture and Views Experience: $45
  • Customizable Best Of Roatan Island Tour in Honduras: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kathmandu $5.06
    Roatan $6.53

Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:

  • Half-Day Tour in Roatan With Brewery, Rum and Chocolate Factories visit: $46
  • Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Roatan, we can see that Kathmandu is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kathmandu is in Asia and Roatan 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 Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Kathmandu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kathmandu than you might in Roatan.

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


Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Roatan?

Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Roatan, 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.