Which place is cheaper, Huaraz or Managua?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Managua or Huaraz?
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 Huaraz can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Managua or Huaraz?
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.
Huaraz
Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManagua $55Huaraz $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Managua is $55, while the average daily cost in Huaraz is $50. 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 Huaraz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManagua $23Huaraz $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManagua $46Huaraz $40
Compare Hotels in Managua and Huaraz
Looking for a hotel in Managua or Huaraz? 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 Huaraz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Managua $20Huaraz $10
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 Huaraz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.17
Is it cheaper to fly into Managua or Huaraz?
Prices for flights to both Huaraz 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 $17Huaraz $18
Typical Food Prices in Huaraz
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:
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Lunch$5.97
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Chips$1.49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Managua $16Huaraz $19
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz
Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Climbing Gear$17
Tours and Activities in Huaraz
Here are a few actual costs in Huaraz for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-day tour to Parón, Llanganuco and Laguna 69 from Huaraz: $150
- 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
- Ancash: Adventure and Climbing to Mountain Alpamayo |6D-5N|: $3,303
- Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
- Ancash: Trek and Adventure to Quillcayhuanca |3Days-2Nights|: $410
- From Ancash: Fantastic tour Huaraz/Nevado Pastoruri |4D-3N|: $192
- From Ancash: Huaraz Adventure with meals |3Days-2Nights|: $142
- From Ancash: Tour Huaraz with Puya Raymondi |4Days-3Nights|: $197
- From Ancash: Tour fantastic in Huaraz |2Days-1Night|: $92
- From Ancash: Tour in Huaraz with tickets and Hotel |5D-4N|: $250
- From Huaraz | Live an adventure between mountains and lakes: $214
- From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManagua $11Huaraz $15
When comparing the travel costs between Managua and Huaraz, 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 Huaraz 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 Huaraz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Managua or Huaraz?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Huaraz. When comparing the sizes of Managua and Huaraz, 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 Huaraz?
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 Huaraz in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Managua as well as Huaraz. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz throughout the year.
Managua receives a lot of rain in the summer. Managua usually gets more rain in July than Huaraz. Managua gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite cold in Huaraz in the summer. Managua is much warmer than Huaraz in the summer. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Huaraz fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManagua 27°C (81°F)Huaraz 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Managua or Huaraz in the Autumn?
Both Huaraz 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 Huaraz 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 Huaraz. Managua gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Huaraz. In the autumn, Managua is much warmer than Huaraz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Managua in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Huaraz averages at about 4°C (39°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManagua 27°C (81°F)Huaraz 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Managua or Huaraz in the Winter?
Both Huaraz 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 Huaraz year-round.
Huaraz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Managua usually gets less rain in January than Huaraz. Managua gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Managua is generally much warmer than Huaraz. Daily temperatures in Managua average around 26°C (79°F), and Huaraz fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManagua 26°C (79°F)Huaraz 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Managua or Huaraz in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Managua and Huaraz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round. Huaraz attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Managua usually receives less rain than Huaraz. Managua gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Managua is much warmer than Huaraz in the spring. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Huaraz fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManagua 29°C (84°F)Huaraz 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Huaraz and Managua
| Managua | Huaraz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 112 mm (4.4 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.