Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Managua?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Managua or Cuenca?
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 Cuenca can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Managua or Cuenca?
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.
Cuenca
Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManagua $55Cuenca $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Managua is $55, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $42. 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 Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManagua $23Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManagua $46Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Managua and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Managua or Cuenca? 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 Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Managua $20Cuenca $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Granada: Managua to Granada Airport private transfer: $64
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $66
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Managua to Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) - Departure Transfer: $33
- Managua-Leon: Airport private transfer from to Managua /Leon: $85
- Managua-San juan del sur: Airport private transfer: $125
- Airport private transfer from Managua.: $25
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- Popoyo Beach Transfer: $90
- Private Transfer in Nicaragua: $110
- Rivas: Managua to Rivas Airport private transfer: $75
- San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
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Taxi Ride$2.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
- Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.: $104
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Cuenca: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Managua or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca 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 $17Cuenca $15
Typical Food Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:
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Lunch$10
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Snacks$5.00
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Empanada$1.50
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Hot Dog$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cuenca.
- Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
- Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
- Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour from Cuenca): $112
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Managua $16Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
- Private lava tour-Masaya Volcano from Managua: $49
- Masaya Volcano Night Tour: $53
- Laguna de Apoyo Day pass plus Masaya Volcano Night Tour: $60
- Granada Isletas and City tour: $68
- PRIVATE Laguna de apoyo day pass + masaya volcano lava tour: $70
- PRIVATE Boat ride + Colonial city tour at Granada+Catarina lookout: $80
- PRIVATE Day trip Granada Isletas +Colonial City tour from Managua: $80
- Managua City Tour: $84
- PRIVATE Boat tour + Granada City +Masaya Volcano Night Tour : $85
- full tour Somoto Canyon Nicaragua: $86
- PRIVATE Boat tour+Granada City and Catarina lookout from Managua: $88
- Managua City Tour: $88
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $48
- Azuay: San Bartolomé, Gualaceo, and Chordeleg Artisanal Tour: $63
- Biking Cuenca City Tour: $50
- Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
- Birdwatching Tour in Giron and Yunguilla Jocotoco Reserve from Cuenca: $150
- Birdwatching Tour, Via Gualaceo to the Eastern slope from Cuenca: $130
- Cañari Bike Tour: $96
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $49
- Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $49
- Cajas National Park and Cuenca City private Tour: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManagua $11Cuenca $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Managua and Cuenca, we can see that Managua is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Managua is in Central America and Cuenca 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 Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca 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 Managua would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Managua than you might in Cuenca.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Managua Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Managua or Cuenca?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Managua and Cuenca, 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 Managua or Cuenca?
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.
Should I visit Managua or Cuenca in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Managua as well as Cuenca. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Managua receives a lot of rain in the summer. Managua usually gets more rain in July than Cuenca. Managua gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Managua is a little warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the summer temperatures in Managua in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Cuenca averages at about 22°C (72°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManagua 27°C (81°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Managua or Cuenca in the Autumn?
Both Cuenca 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 Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Managua. In October, Managua usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Managua gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Managua is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Managua average around 27°C (81°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManagua 27°C (81°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Managua or Cuenca in the Winter?
Both Cuenca 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 Cuenca year-round.
Managua usually gets less rain in January than Cuenca. Managua gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite cold in Cuenca in the winter. Managua is much warmer than Cuenca in the winter. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManagua 26°C (79°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Managua or Cuenca in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Managua and Cuenca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Managua usually receives less rain than Cuenca. Managua gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Managua is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the spring temperatures in Managua in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Cuenca averages at about 10°C (50°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManagua 29°C (84°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Managua
| Managua | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.