Which place is cheaper, Port-au-Prince or Leon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leon or Port-au-Prince?
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 Port-au-Prince 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 Port-au-Prince?
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.
Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince is the capital city and most-populous city of Haiti. The metropolitan area is divided into several districts with access to a number of landmarks and museums, as well as a lively cultural scene.
For some great organized tour ideas, see 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 $59Port-au-Prince $28
The average daily cost (per person) in Leon is $59, while the average daily cost in Port-au-Prince is $28. 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 Port-au-Prince in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeon $16Port-au-Prince $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeon $32Port-au-Prince $44
Compare Hotels in Leon and Port-au-Prince
Looking for a hotel in Leon or Port-au-Prince? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leon $1.51Port-au-Prince $4.73
Is it cheaper to fly into Leon or Port-au-Prince?
Prices for flights to both Port-au-Prince 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 $12Port-au-Prince $3.69
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leon $5.81Port-au-Prince $0.76
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeon $3.53Port-au-Prince $0.20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leon and Port-au-Prince, we can see that Leon is more expensive. And not only is Port-au-Prince much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Leon is in Central America and Port-au-Prince is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Port-au-Prince would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Port-au-Prince 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 Port-au-Prince.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leon Expensive? and Is Port-au-Prince Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leon or Port-au-Prince?
Port-au-Prince has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Leon. When comparing the sizes of Leon and Port-au-Prince, 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.