Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Managua?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 Managua and Cartagena can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Managua is $55, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $48. 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 Managua and Cartagena in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Managua or Cartagena? 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.
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Managua 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Managua and Cartagena, we can see that Managua 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 Managua is in Central America and Cartagena 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 Managua Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Managua has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Managua and Cartagena, 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.
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
The summer brings many poeple to Managua as well as Cartagena. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
Managua receives a lot of rain in the summer. Managua usually gets more rain in July than Cartagena. Managua gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the summer, Managua often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Managua gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Managua is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Managua in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Cartagena averages at about 29°C (84°F).
Both Cartagena and Managua are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. It's quite rainy in Managua. In October, Managua usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Managua gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Managua usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during autumn. Managua gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Managua is generally around the same temperature as Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Managua average around 27°C (81°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Both Cartagena and Managua during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Managua because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
Managua usually gets less rain in January than Cartagena. Managua gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Managua. In the winter, Managua often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Managua gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.
Managua is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the winter. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Managua and Cartagena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Managua usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Managua gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In Managua, it's very sunny this time of the year. Managua usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during spring. Managua gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Managua is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Managua in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Cartagena averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Managua | Cartagena | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |