Which place is cheaper, Manaus or Leon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leon or Manaus?
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 Manaus 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 Manaus?
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.
Manaus
Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeon $59Manaus $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Leon is $59, while the average daily cost in Manaus is $59. 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 Manaus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeon $16Manaus $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeon $32Manaus $84
Compare Hotels in Leon and Manaus
Looking for a hotel in Leon or Manaus? 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: Manaus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leon $1.51Manaus $7.94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus
Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) -Departure Private Transfer: $21
- 24-hour hotel transfer - airport in Manaus: $17
- Manaus Airport (MAO) to Manaus hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Manaus Airport(MAO) to Manaus hotels- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Manaus hotels to Manaus Airport(MAO) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Manaus private Airport transfer: $30
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Private 24-hour transfer from the Hotel to the Airport in Manaus: $16
- Private Transfer - Airport - Hotel / Hotel - Airport: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Leon or Manaus?
Prices for flights to both Manaus 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 $12Manaus $12
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus
For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $42
- Food Tour: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leon $5.81Manaus -
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 Manaus
For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Like a Local Customized Guided Welcome Tour: $30
- Manaus City Tour e Musa: $50
- City Tour in Manaus at Teatro Amazonas and Praça da Matriz: $50
- MUSA and INPA Museums with Observation Tower Tour: $50
- Half-Day City Tour: $54
- Full-Day Tour on the Amazon River: $55
- Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
- Manaus Sightseeing Tour: $64
- Solimoes River Piranha Fishing and Alligator Watching Tour: $66
- Tour to Presidente Figueiredo Waterfalls: $70
- Full-Day Package Tour in Presidente Figueiredo : $70
- Meeting of the Waters & Pink Dolphin Tour with Lunch: $71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeon $3.53Manaus $2.84
When comparing the travel costs between Leon and Manaus, we can see that Manaus 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. Even though Leon is in Central America and Manaus is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leon Expensive? and Is Manaus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leon or Manaus?
Manaus has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Leon. When comparing the sizes of Leon and Manaus, 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 Manaus?
Manaus 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 Manaus in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Leon as well as Manaus. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Leon is around the same temperature as Manaus. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leon in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Manaus averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
In the summer, Leon often gets more sunshine than Manausin January. Leon gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manaus receives 114 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Manaus. Leon receives a lot of rain in the summer. Leon usually gets less rain in July than Manausin January. Leon gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 264 mm (10.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLeon 27°C (81°F)Manaus 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Leon or Manaus in the Autumn?
Both Manaus and Leon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year.
In October, Leon is generally around the same temperature as Manausin April. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 27°C (81°F), and Manaus fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Leon usually receives more sunshine than Manaus during autumn. Leon gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Manaus receives 112 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Manaus. It's quite rainy in Leon. In October, Leon usually receives less rain than Manausin April. Leon gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 311 mm (12.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLeon 27°C (81°F)Manaus 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Leon or Manaus in the Winter?
Both Manaus and Leon during the winter 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 around the same temperature as Manaus in the winter. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Manaus fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.
In Manaus, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Leon. In the winter, Leon often gets more sunshine than Manausin July. Leon gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manaus receives 214 hours of full sun.
Leon usually gets less rain in January than Manausin July. Leon gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 85 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLeon 26°C (79°F)Manaus 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Leon or Manaus in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Leon and Manaus. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon year-round.
In the spring, Leon is around the same temperature as Manaus. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leon in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Manaus averages at about 29°C (84°F)in October.
In Leon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Leon usually receives more sunshine than Manaus during spring. Leon gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Manaus receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.
Manaus receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Leon usually receives less rain than Manausin October. Leon gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLeon 29°C (84°F)Manaus 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manaus and Leon
| Leon | Manaus | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 264 mm (10.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 311 mm (12.3 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.6 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.