Which place is cheaper, Granada or Leon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leon or Granada?
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 Granada 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 Granada?
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.
Granada
Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeon $59Granada $40
The average daily cost (per person) in Leon is $59, while the average daily cost in Granada is $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 Granada in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeon $16Granada $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeon $32Granada $34
Compare Hotels in Leon and Granada
Looking for a hotel in Leon or Granada? 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: Granada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leon $1.51Granada $8.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Granada:
- One-Way Private Transfer From/To Airport or Hotels in Granada: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Leon or Granada?
Prices for flights to both Granada 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 $12Granada $14
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 Granada
Some typical examples of dining costs in Granada are as follows:
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Pizza$2.29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leon $5.81Granada $10
Tours and Activities in Leon
Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half Day Private Tour of Cerro Negro's Volcano Boarding: $35
- Leon City Walking Private Tour : $48
- Rum Tour & Chorotega Museum Experience: $62
- Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour" : $67
- Old Leon and Asososca Lagoon Private Tour: $82
- Volcano Boarding Private Tour : $84
- Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92
- Telica Sunset Tour : $93
- Horseback Riding Private Tour : $103
- Half-Day Leon City Tour: $135
- Somoto Canyon "Private Tour from Leon" : $154
- 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $163
Typical Entertainment Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Granada are as follows:
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Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour$8.17
Tours and Activities in Granada
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Granada are as follows:
- Granada Kayak Tour: $30
- Colonial Granada Horse Carriage & Walking Tour: $35
- Paddle Boarding and Meditation Wellness Experience in Las Isletas: $39
- Las Isletas: Kayak Tour: $39
- Granada City Tour: $40
- Granada's City Tour: $40
- Las Isletas: Boat Tour: $45
- Masaya Night Tour Minimum 2 People from Granada: $45
- Las Isletas 2-Hour Kayak Adventure in Granada with Pickup: $48
- City Walking Tour and Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride: $50
- Full-Day Tour: Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60
- Experience Granadas Best Sights Carriage ride + Local Guide: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeon $3.53Granada $7.50
Typical Alcohol Prices in Granada
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Granada:
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Tequila$1.36
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leon and Granada, we can see that Leon is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 Granada.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leon Expensive? and Is Granada Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leon or Granada?
Leon has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Leon and Granada, 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 Granada?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Leon or Granada in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Leon and Granada. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon year-round. Granada attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Granada receives a lot of rain in the summer. Leon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Leon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Granada. Leon gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Granada receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Leon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Granada during summer. Leon gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Leon is generally around the same temperature as Granada. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 27°C (81°F), and Granada fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeon 27°C (81°F)Granada 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Leon or Granada in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Leon as well as Granada. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Granada throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Granada. Leon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Leon usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Granada. Leon gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Granada receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Leon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Granada. Leon gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 195 hours of full sun.
Leon is around the same temperature as Granada in the autumn. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Granada fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeon 27°C (81°F)Granada 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Leon or Granada in the Winter?
Both Granada and Leon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Leon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Granada. Leon gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Granada receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Granada. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Leon. Leon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Granada during winter. Leon gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Leon is around the same temperature as Granada. Typically, the winter temperatures in Leon in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Granada averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeon 26°C (79°F)Granada 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Leon or Granada in the Spring?
Both Granada and Leon during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Leon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Granada year-round.
Leon usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Granada. Leon gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Granada receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Leon. In the spring, Leon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Granada. Leon gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 242 hours of full sun.
In April, Leon is generally around the same temperature as Granada. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 29°C (84°F), and Granada fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeon 29°C (84°F)Granada 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Granada and Leon
| Leon | Granada | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.