Which place is cheaper, Liberia or Managua?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Managua or Liberia?
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 Liberia can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Managua or Liberia?
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.
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManagua $55Liberia $112
The average daily cost (per person) in Managua is $55, while the average daily cost in Liberia is $112. 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 Liberia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManagua $23Liberia $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManagua $46Liberia $120
Compare Hotels in Managua and Liberia
Looking for a hotel in Managua or Liberia? 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 Liberia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Managua $20Liberia $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport private transfer from Managua.: $25
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Managua to Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) - Departure Transfer: $33
- San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- Granada: Managua to Granada Airport private transfer: $64
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $65
- Rivas: Managua to Rivas Airport private transfer: $75
- Managua-Leon: Airport private transfer from to Managua /Leon: $85
- Transfer From Managua International Airport: $90
- Popoyo Beach Transfer: $90
- Private Transfer in Nicaragua: $110
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Bike Rental$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Santa Teresa: $300
- Liberia Airport (LIR)to Malpais / Montezuma - Raund-Trip Transfer: $271
- Private Transfer Int. Airport Liberia To La Fortuna From 7 to 10 passengers: $262
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Nosara: $250
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas: $245
- One-Way Private Transfer from Liberia Guanacaste Airport to La Fortuna (Arenal): $241
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas, Costa Rica: $240
- RoundTrip Private Transfer - Liberia Airport to your selected location: $240
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Arenal / La Fortuna : $231
- Liberia or LIR Airport: Transfer to La Fortuna de Arenal: $226
- Private Airport Transfer to Punta Islita Hotel : $220
- Private Transfer from Liberia Int Airport LIR to La Fortuna area: $215
Is it cheaper to fly into Managua or Liberia?
Prices for flights to both Liberia 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 $17Liberia $21
Typical Food Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Snacks$1.97
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Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$4.95
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Lunch$11
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$14
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Ginger Ale$1.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.
- Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Managua $16Liberia $25
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
- Amazing Masaya Volcano at Night "Private Tour" : $75
- 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
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- ATV Tour Guanacaste the Beach Excursion & Trail: $110
- Birdwatching Experience private tour : $275
- Llanos de Cortez Safari and Waterfall Tour: $190
- Mega Combo Adventure: $195
- Nicaragua one day tour from Costa Rica, Discover it: $250
- Private ATV Tour Off Road Adventure beaches & Towns: $89
- 2 Hour ATV Experience From Guanacaste: $180
- 2 Hour ATV Private Tour in Costa Rica: $81
- 2 In 1 Jet Sky & Buggy Private Tour: $300
- 2-Hour Horseback Riding Tour in Guanacaste: $65
- 2-Hours UTV Tour: $110
- 3 Hour ATV Adventure Tour in El Jobo: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManagua $11Liberia $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Managua and Liberia, we can see that Liberia is more expensive. And not only is Managua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Liberia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liberia 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 Liberia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Managua or Liberia?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Liberia. When comparing the sizes of Managua and Liberia, 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 Liberia?
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 Liberia in the Summer?
Both Liberia and Managua during the summer 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 Liberia year-round.
Liberia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Managua. Managua usually gets less rain in July than Liberia. Managua gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Managua often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Liberia. Managua gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Liberia receives 164 hours of full sun.
Managua is around the same temperature as Liberia in the summer. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Liberia fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManagua 27°C (81°F)Liberia 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Managua or Liberia in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Managua and Liberia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round. Liberia attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in Liberia is the dry season. Also, April to December is the rainy season in Liberia. Liberia receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Managua gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Managua usually receives less rain than Liberia. Managua gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Managua usually receives more sunshine than Liberia during autumn. Managua gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Liberia receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Managua is around the same temperature as Liberia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Managua in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Liberia averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManagua 27°C (81°F)Liberia 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Managua or Liberia in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Managua as well as Liberia. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Liberia throughout the year.
Managua usually gets less rain in January than Liberia. Managua gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Liberia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Managua this time of the year. In the winter, Managua often gets less sunshine than Liberia. Managua gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Liberia receives 264 hours of full sun.
In January, Managua is generally around the same temperature as Liberia. Daily temperatures in Managua average around 26°C (79°F), and Liberia fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManagua 26°C (79°F)Liberia 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Managua or Liberia in the Spring?
Both Liberia and Managua are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Liberia because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Liberia is December to April. The rainy season in Liberia is April to December. In April, Managua usually receives less rain than Liberia. Managua gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Liberia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Managua. Managua usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Liberia during spring. Managua gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Liberia receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
Managua is around the same temperature as Liberia in the spring. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Liberia fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManagua 29°C (84°F)Liberia 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Liberia and Managua
| Managua | Liberia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.