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

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.

Which place is cheaper, Managua or Kingston?

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

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 person
    Kingston $64
    Managua $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $128
    Managua $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.

Hotels in Kingston


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: Kingston Hotel Prices and Managua Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $30
    Managua $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Private Airport Transfer from Kingston to Montego Bay: $660
  • From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
  • Private Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios Round trip: $350
  • Private Transfer from Norman Manley Airport to Ocho Rios: $335
  • MBJ Transfer - from Kingston: $320
  • Falmouth Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN): $315
  • Private Round Trip Transfer Norman Manley Airport KIN to Port Antonio by Minivan: $283
  • Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
  • Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Norman Manley Airport to Montego Bay: $279
  • Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston : $248
  • Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast : $240
  • Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua

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

  • Granada Transfer: $44
  • Transfer from and To Poneloya or Las Peñitas Beach- Leon, Nicaragua: $68
  • Managua Augusto Sandino Airport to Managua - Round-Trip Transfer : $41
  • Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $21
  • Managua to Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) - Departure Transfer: $21
  • PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
  • Popoyo Beach Transfer: $90
  • Private Transfer from Managua Augusto Airport to Corinto Port: $70
  • Private Transfer from Managua City Hotels to Corinto Cruise Port: $70
  • Private Transfer in Nicaragua: $110
  • San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
  • Transfer From Managua International Airport: $20

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 day
    Kingston $27
    Managua $17

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Managua

For Managua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Managua City Tour + Tradicional Dinner: $84

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $13
    Managua $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: $165
  • 3-days Jamaica Sightseeing Tour of Treasure Beach and Negril departing from Kingston: $713
  • 4x4 Jeep Safari & Blue Hole Adventure from Ocho Rios: $158
  • 6-Day Private Tour of Jamaica from Kingston: $2,800
  • ATV Outback Adventure from Kingston: $288
  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Kingston: $282
  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour and from Kingston: $350
  • Authentic Jamaican Food Experience: $140
  • Bamboo Rafting, Frenchman Cove and Boston Bay Private Experience: $140
  • Bean to Cup: Embark on a Delicious Mountain Coffee Tour Adventure: $110
  • Bird watching Tour in Jamaica with a private guide: $250

Tours and Activities in Managua

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

  • Nicaragua Private Guide and Transportation Service: Customized Tours: $47
  • 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 TOUR at Granada +Lake boar ride + Lava tour at Masaya volcano: $70
  • Amazing Masaya Volcano at Night "Private Tour" : $75
  • PRIVATE Day trip Granada Isletas +Colonial City tour from Managua: $80
  • PRIVATE Boat ride + Colonial city tour at Granada+Catarina lookout: $80
  • Masaya volcano Night Tour: $80
  • PRIVATE Boat tour + Granada City +Masaya Volcano Night Tour : $85

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Managua $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.

Which is Bigger, Kingston or Managua?

Managua is bigger, and its population is about 4% larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the population of Kingston vs. 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 and the activities 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 July
    Kingston 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 October
    Kingston 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 January
    Kingston 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 April
    Kingston 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.
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