Which place is cheaper, Castro or Managua?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Managua or Castro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
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 Castro can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Managua or Castro?
Managua
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.
Castro
The capital of Chiloe, modern and dynamic, has succeeded in keeping its authenticity even though it now has many gigantic supermarkets, hotels and other touristic infrastructures. It is located on the island's eastern coast, halfway between Ancud in the north and Quellon in the south, and is a convenient base for exploring the stunning sites in the region of Chiloe Island. The tourist information is located on the town square in front of the church.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Chile.
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Managua Prices
Nicaragua PricesCastro Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManagua $67Castro $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Managua is $67, while the average daily cost in Castro is $114. 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 Castro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManagua $23Castro $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManagua $46Castro $74
Compare Hotels in Managua and Castro
Looking for a hotel in Managua or Castro? 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: Managua Hotel Prices and Castro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Managua $20Castro $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport transfer or hotels in managua Nicaragua: $35
- From Leon: One way shared transfer to Managua: $39
- From One way shared transfer to Granada: $39
- From One way shared transfer to San Jorge: $59
- Granada: One way shared transfer to Managua: $39
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $127
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $63
- Managua-San juan del sur: Airport private transfer: $125
- One way shared transfer to Leon: $39
- One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $57
- Nicaragua Private Transfer Service Managua and San Juan del Sur: $100
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Castro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Castro:
- Castro Airport Private Transfer in Chiloe: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Managua or Castro?
Prices for flights to both Castro 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayManagua $30Castro $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Managua $16Castro $21
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
- Masaya volcano tour: $38
- Apoyo Lagoon + Lava tour: $48
- Discover the Best of Managua on a Private City Tour: $60
- Granada lake +Colonial City + Lava tour Masaya volcano: $60
- Private Capital City Tour Managua: $60
- Granada Isletas and City tour: $68
- PRIVATE Boat ride + Colonial city tour at Granada+Catarina lookout: $68
- Masaya Volcano Night Tour The Impressive Power of Nature: $80
- Managua City Tour: $84
- PRIVATE Boat tour + Granada City + Catarina lookout: $85
- full tour Somoto Canyon Nicaragua: $86
- Amazing Masaya Volcano at Night "Private Tour" : $88
Tours and Activities in Castro
Here are a few actual costs in Castro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bosque Piedra Reserve Tour: $106
- Castro Sightseeing Tour in Chiloe: $58
- Chiloé: UNESCO Wooden Churches Full-Day Tour: $176
- Coastal Nature Adventure in Chiloe: $102
- Dalcahue and Quinchao Island Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $141
- Dock of Souls Trekking in Chiloe Private Tour: $202
- Lemuy Island Tour from Castro: $178
- Lemuy Island in Chiloe Full Day Private Tour: $185
- Pier of Light Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $170
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManagua $11Castro $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Managua and Castro, we can see that Castro is more expensive. And not only is Managua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Managua is in Central America and Castro 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 Managua would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Managua 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 Castro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Castro than you might in Managua.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Managua Expensive? and Is Castro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Managua or Castro?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Castro. When comparing the sizes of Managua and Castro, 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.