Which place is cheaper, Leon 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 Leon 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.
Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.
With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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 Leon is $59. 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 Leon in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Managua or Leon? 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:
Prices for flights to both Leon 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 Leon.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
When comparing the travel costs between Managua and Leon, we can see that Leon 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. Since both cities are in Central America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Managua Expensive? and Is Leon Expensive?.
Managua has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Leon. When comparing the sizes of Managua and Leon, 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 Leon. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Leon. Managua receives a lot of rain in the summer. Managua usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Leon. Managua gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Leon receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Managua often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leon. Managua gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leon receives 175 hours of full sun.
Managua is around the same temperature as Leon in the summer. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Leon fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Both Leon 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 Leon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Leon. It's quite rainy in Managua. In October, Managua usually receives around the same amount of rain as Leon. Managua gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Leon receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Managua usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leon during autumn. Managua gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Leon receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Managua is around the same temperature as Leon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Managua in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Leon averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Both Leon 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 Leon year-round.
Managua usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Leon. Managua gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Leon receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Leon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Managua. In the winter, Managua often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leon. Managua gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leon receives 244 hours of full sun.
In January, Managua is generally around the same temperature as Leon. Daily temperatures in Managua average around 26°C (79°F), and Leon fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Managua and Leon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Managua usually receives around the same amount of rain as Leon. Managua gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Leon receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leon this time of the year. In Managua, it's very sunny this time of the year. Managua usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leon during spring. Managua gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Leon receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.
Managua is around the same temperature as Leon in the spring. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Leon fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
Managua | Leon | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |