Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Managua?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Managua or La Serena?
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 La Serena can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Managua or La Serena?
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.
La Serena
La Serena is a charming town in Northern Chile. It is Chile's second-oldest city and the thriving capital of Region IV. With its beautiful architecture, its long golden shoreline, dignified stone churches, tree-shaded avenues and pretty plazas, La Serena has everything you could ask for!
Chileans on holidays flood in the city in January and February, though it is fairly peaceful outside the summer rush. Some of the city's architecture is from the colonial era, but most is actually neocolonial thanks to president Gabriel Gonzalez Videla, born in La Serena, and her 'Plan Serena' of the late 1940s.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManagua $55La Serena $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Managua is $55, while the average daily cost in La Serena is $87. 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 La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManagua $23La Serena $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManagua $46La Serena $84
Compare Hotels in Managua and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Managua or La Serena? 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 La Serena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Managua $20La Serena $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer From Managua International Airport: $90
- San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
- Rivas: Managua to Rivas Airport private transfer: $75
- Private Transfer in Nicaragua: $110
- Popoyo Beach Transfer: $90
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- Airport private transfer from Managua.: $25
- Managua-San juan del sur: Airport private transfer: $125
- Managua-Leon: Airport private transfer from to Managua /Leon: $85
- Managua to Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) - Departure Transfer: $33
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Managua or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena 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 $17La Serena $27
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Managua $16La Serena $24
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
- 3 full days PRIVATE tour at Granada, Masaya and Leon area from Managua: $210
- Amazing Masaya Volcano at Night "Private Tour" : $88
- Between Volcanoes Tours; Granada-Masaya.: $155
- Granada Isletas and City tour: $68
- Laguna de Apoyo Day pass plus Masaya Volcano Night Tour: $60
- Leon City and Rum Tasting Tour from Managua: $215
- Managua City Tour: $88
- Managua City Tour: $84
- Managua Love Stories: A Romantic Tour: $189
- Managua Love Stories: A Walking Tour: $97
- Managua’s Historic Gems: A Cultural Walking Tour: $164
- Managua’s Historic Gems: A Cultural Walking Tour: $321
Tours and Activities in La Serena
For La Serena, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tour to the internationally renowned Pangue Observatory: $139
- Dama Island or Chañaral Navigation Tour Humboldt Penguin Reserve: $140
- Elqui Valley Full Day Tour: magical towns, pisco and mountains: $85
- Elqui Valley Grand-Tour: $189
- Elqui Valley Tour from La Serena: $120
- Elqui Valley and Vicuña Private Tour Including Lunch: $183
- Elqui Valley: Pisco Tour, Wine, Beer: $174
- Full Day History and Flavors Tour in the Elqui Valley: $50
- La Serena & Coquimbo City Tour - Short excursion for cruise ships: $128
- La Serena and Coquimbo City Tour (SIB): $66
- La Serena and Coquimbo Guided City Tour: $76
- La Serena and Coquimbo Private City Tour Including Lunch, Shore Excursion: $194
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManagua $11La Serena $22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Managua and La Serena, we can see that La Serena 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 La Serena 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 La Serena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Serena 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 La Serena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Managua or La Serena?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of La Serena. When comparing the sizes of Managua and La Serena, 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 La Serena?
La Serena has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Managua experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Managua or La Serena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Managua and La Serena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round.
Managua is much warmer than La Serena in the summer. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and La Serena fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Serena this time of the year. Managua usually receives less sunshine than La Serena during summer. Managua gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.
Managua gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Managua usually receives more rain than La Serenain January. Managua gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryManagua 27°C (81°F)La Serena 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Managua or La Serena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Managua as well as La Serena. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Managua is much warmer than La Serena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Managua in October average around 27°C (81°F), and La Serena averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.
In the autumn, Managua often gets more sunshine than La Serenain April. Managua gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 159 hours of full sun.
Managua receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Managua usually gets more rain in October than La Serenain April. Managua gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilManagua 27°C (81°F)La Serena 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Managua or La Serena in the Winter?
Both La Serena and Managua are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year.
In January, Managua is generally much warmer than La Serenain July. Daily temperatures in Managua average around 26°C (79°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Managua. Managua usually receives more sunshine than La Serena during winter. Managua gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 160 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Managua usually receives more rain than La Serenain July. Managua gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyManagua 26°C (79°F)La Serena 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Managua or La Serena in the Spring?
Both La Serena and Managua during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Managua because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Managua is much warmer than La Serena in the spring. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and La Serena fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Managua. In the spring, Managua often gets more sunshine than La Serenain October. Managua gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 190 hours of full sun.
Managua usually gets more rain in April than La Serenain October. Managua gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberManagua 29°C (84°F)La Serena 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for La Serena and Managua
| Managua | La Serena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.