Which place is cheaper, Managua or La Ceiba?
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 La Ceiba or Managua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between La Ceiba and Managua can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: La Ceiba or Managua?
La Ceiba
La Ceiba is the third largest city in Honduras, situated on the north Caribbean coast. The city has a population of about a quarter million people. Many people who visit this city do so before heading into Pico Bonito National Park. It hasn't had the best infrastructure for tourists in the past but is developing fast. It is about 200 kilometers from San Pedro Sula, another large city in Honduras.
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 Honduras, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.
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La Ceiba Prices
Honduras PricesManagua Prices
Nicaragua Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Ceiba $74Managua $67
The average daily cost (per person) in La Ceiba is $74, 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 La Ceiba and Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Ceiba $22Managua $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Ceiba $44Managua $46
Compare Hotels in La Ceiba and Managua
Looking for a hotel in La Ceiba 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: La Ceiba Hotel Prices and Managua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Ceiba $30Managua $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Ceiba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Ceiba:
- Private Transfer from Goloson Airport (LCE) to Banana Coast Port: $180
- Private Transfer from La Ceiba hotels to Banana Coast Cruise Port: $180
- From Roatan: One Way Shared transfer to La Ceiba: $49
- Ferry Transfer between La Ceiba and Roatán Island: $43
- From Copan: One Way Shared Transfer to La Ceiba: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer, Transportation, Shuttle and Tours : $30
- Airport transfer or hotels in managua Nicaragua: $35
- Granada: One way shared transfer to Managua: $39
- One way shared transfer to Leon: $39
- From One way shared transfer to Granada: $39
- From Leon: One way shared transfer to Managua: $39
- San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $57
- San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Managua: $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 La Ceiba or Managua?
Prices for flights to both Managua and La Ceiba 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 dayLa Ceiba $30Managua $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Ceiba $21Managua $16
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
- Masaya volcano tour: $38
- Apoyo Lagoon + Lava tour: $48
- Discover the Best of Managua on a Private City Tour: $60
- Granada lake +Colonial City + Lava tour Masaya volcano: $60
- Private Capital City Tour Managua: $60
- Granada Isletas and City tour: $68
- PRIVATE Boat ride + Colonial city tour at Granada+Catarina lookout: $68
- Masaya Volcano Night Tour The Impressive Power of Nature: $80
- Managua City Tour: $84
- PRIVATE Boat tour + Granada City + Catarina lookout: $85
- full tour Somoto Canyon Nicaragua: $86
- Amazing Masaya Volcano at Night "Private Tour" : $88
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Ceiba $4.85Managua $11
When comparing the travel costs between La Ceiba and Managua, we can see that La Ceiba is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Central America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Ceiba Expensive? and Is Managua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Ceiba or Managua?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of La Ceiba. When comparing the sizes of La Ceiba 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.