Which place is cheaper, Managua or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kingston or Managua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston 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: Kingston or Managua?
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
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 Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $109Managua $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, 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 Kingston and Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $64Managua $23
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $128Managua $46
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Managua
Looking for a hotel in Kingston 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: Kingston Hotel Prices and Managua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $30Managua $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Norman Manley Airport to Montego Bay: $284
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
- Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston : $253
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast : $240
- Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $228
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- Kingston Airport to & From Sandals Ocho Rios Transfer: $200
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $169
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
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: $65
- 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 in Nicaragua: $110
- Rivas: Managua to Rivas Airport private transfer: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Managua?
Prices for flights to both Managua and Kingston 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 dayKingston $27Managua $17
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $13Managua $16
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dunn's River Falls Party Cruise, Blue Hole with Snorkeling, free beverages: $174
- 4x4 Jeep Safari & Blue Hole Adventure from Ocho Rios: $158
- Blue Lagoon and Canoeing Ride Experience Portland Jamaica : $210
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Hike & Bike Tour from Runaway Bay: $178
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Kingston: $231
- Bob Marley Museum Express Tour from Port Royal Cruise Port: $141
- Bob Marley Museum Tour Skip the Line Tickets: $45
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $83
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay: $258
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $370
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $320
- Bob Marley Museum and Kingston Sightseeing from Port Royal Cruise Port: $205
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 dayKingston $11Managua $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:
- Ocho Rios Pub Crawl and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $185
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Managua, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Managua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands 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 Managua would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Managua 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 Kingston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kingston than you might in Managua.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kingston Expensive? and Is Managua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Managua?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Kingston 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 Kingston 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 Kingston or Managua in the Summer?
Both Managua and Kingston during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston 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. Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Managua. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Managua receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the summer, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Managua. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 175 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Kingston is around the same temperature as Managua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Managua averages at about 27°C (81°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Managua in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Managua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Managua receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kingston usually receives less rain than Managua. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Managua receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Managua during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as Managua. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Managua in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Managua. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year.
Kingston usually gets more rain in January than Managua. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 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 Kingston this time of the year. In the winter, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Managua. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 244 hours of full sun.
Kingston is around the same temperature as Managua in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Managua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Managua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Managua in the Spring?
Both Managua and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Managua because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Kingston usually receives more rain than Managua. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 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 Kingston. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Managua during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Kingston is around the same temperature as Managua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Managua averages at about 29°C (84°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Managua 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Managua and Kingston
| Kingston | Managua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
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.