Which place is cheaper, Cordoba or Leon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leon or Cordoba?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Leon and Cordoba 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: Leon or Cordoba?
Leon
Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.
With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.
Cordoba
Cordoba is the capital of the Cordoba province and the second largest city in all of Argentina. The city is in a beautiful setting surrounded by valleys and hills. Within the city you will find many colonial buildings and beautiful architecture. Cordoba also has many universities and scientific institutes, giving it the nickname "La Docta." Because of the large number of students, Cordoba's population is young and active, which keeps the atmosphere light and fun.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeon $59Cordoba $8.40
The average daily cost (per person) in Leon is $59, while the average daily cost in Cordoba is $8.40. 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 Leon and Cordoba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeon $16Cordoba $3.05
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeon $32Cordoba $6.10
Compare Hotels in Leon and Cordoba
Looking for a hotel in Leon or Cordoba? 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: Cordoba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leon $1.51Cordoba $2.08
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cordoba
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cordoba are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cordoba
Also for Cordoba, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in private minivan from Cordoba to Ingeniero Ambrosio Taravella Airport: $61
Is it cheaper to fly into Leon or Cordoba?
Prices for flights to both Cordoba and Leon 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 dayLeon $12Cordoba $3.83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leon.
- Tlakualli Food Tour: $19
Typical Food Prices in Cordoba
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Cordoba:
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Empanadas$0.01
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Sandwich$0.00
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Ice Cream$0.00
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leon $5.81Cordoba $1.88
Tours and Activities in Leon
Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $163
- A Stroll Through León’s Enchanting Streets: Romantic Walking Tour: $226
- Half Day Private Tour of Cerro Negro's Volcano Boarding: $35
- Half-Day Leon City Tour: $135
- Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour" : $67
- Horseback Riding Private Tour : $103
- Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92
- Leon City Walking Private Tour : $48
- Old Leon and Asososca Lagoon Private Tour: $82
- Rum Tour & Chorotega Museum Experience: $62
- Somoto Canyon "Private Tour from Leon" : $154
- Telica Sunset Tour : $93
Tours and Activities in Cordoba
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cordoba.
- Traditional Córdoba CityTour x 2 Pax: $45
- Alta Gracia: Unveiling Cordoba's Cultural Heritage Tour: $48
- Exploring Villa Carlos Paz: Guided Sightseeing Tour: $50
- Cordoba City Tour: $50
- Private Cordoba City Tour: $53
- Córdoba: Villa Carlos Paz Tour: $59
- Cordoba City Tour with Optional Jesuitic Square: $60
- Córdoba CityTour FULLDAY x 2 pax: $60
- Caroya WineTour x 2 Pax: $60
- La Cumbrecita and Villa General Belgrano Full Day Tour: $73
- Full Day Tour to Punilla Valley from Cordoba: $75
- Full Day Jesuit Legacy Tour from Cordoba: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeon $3.53Cordoba $1.48
Sample the Local Flavors in Cordoba
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cordoba:
- Full-Day Private Colonia Caroya Wine Tour from Córdoba: $120
- Wine Tour Privado - Colonia Caroya: $130
- Wine Tour Privado - Calamuchita: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leon and Cordoba, we can see that Leon is more expensive. And not only is Cordoba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Leon is in Central America and Cordoba is in South 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 Cordoba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cordoba 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 Leon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Leon than you might in Cordoba.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leon Expensive? and Is Cordoba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leon or Cordoba?
Cordoba has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Leon. When comparing the sizes of Leon and Cordoba, 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 Leon or Cordoba?
Cordoba has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Leon experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Leon or Cordoba in the Summer?
Both Cordoba and Leon during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Leon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Leon is much warmer than Cordoba in the summer. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Cordoba fluctuates around 10°C (50°F)in January.
In Cordoba, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Leon often gets less sunshine than Cordobain January. Leon gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cordoba receives 277 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Leon. Leon usually gets more rain in July than Cordobain January. Leon gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLeon 27°C (81°F)Cordoba 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Leon or Cordoba in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leon and Cordoba. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon year-round.
In the autumn, Leon is much warmer than Cordoba. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Leon in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Cordoba averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.
Leon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cordoba during autumn. Leon gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Cordoba receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Leon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Leon usually receives more rain than Cordobain April. Leon gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLeon 27°C (81°F)Cordoba 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Leon or Cordoba in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Leon as well as Cordoba. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Leon is generally around the same temperature as Cordobain July. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 26°C (79°F), and Cordoba fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leon this time of the year. In the winter, Leon often gets more sunshine than Cordobain July. Leon gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cordoba receives 189 hours of full sun.
Leon usually gets less rain in January than Cordobain July. Leon gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLeon 26°C (79°F)Cordoba 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Leon or Cordoba in the Spring?
Both Cordoba and Leon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year.
Leon is much warmer than Cordoba in the spring. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Cordoba fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Cordoba. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Leon. Leon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cordoba during spring. Leon gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Cordoba receives 243 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Leon usually receives less rain than Cordobain October. Leon gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLeon 29°C (84°F)Cordoba 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Cordoba and Leon
| Leon | Cordoba | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.8 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.