Which place is cheaper, New York City or Managua?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Managua or New York City?
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 New York City can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Managua or New York City?
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.
New York City
The most populated city in the United States, New York City, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and encompasses both the island of Manhattan as well as the surrounding land on Long Island, most of which is known as Brooklyn. It's a cultural, culinary, theatrical, and art center that has much to offer domestic and international travelers alike. The city covers an area of 305 square miles and has a population of about 8.2 million people in the city proper with 18.7 million in the metropolitan area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
-
Managua Prices
Nicaragua PricesNew York City Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManagua $67New York City $363
The average daily cost (per person) in Managua is $67, while the average daily cost in New York City is $363. 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 New York City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManagua $23New York City $175
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManagua $46New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Managua and New York City
Looking for a hotel in Managua or New York City? 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 New York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Managua $20New York City $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer, Transportation, Shuttle and Tours : $30
- Transfer From Managua International Airport: $90
- San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Managua: $57
- San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- Nicaragua Private Transfer Service Managua and San Juan del Sur: $100
- One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $57
- One way shared transfer to Leon: $39
- Managua-San juan del sur: Airport private transfer: $125
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $63
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $127
- Granada: One way shared transfer to Managua: $39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New York City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
-
Subway$4.50
-
Taxi Ride$8.00
-
Subway$2.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New York City
Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Empire State Building NYC Tour, Pre-booked Tickets, Transfer: $300
- Skip the line One World Observatory Private Tour with Transfers : $296
- Private Transfer from New York Airport (JFK) to New York Hotels : $288
- Private Transfer from or to New York to EWR Airport or vice versa: $280
- Airport Limousine Transfer one-way - LaGuardia Airport - Lincoln MKT: $275
- New York City Airport Arrival Transfer by Sprinter LGA JFK EWR: $260
- EWR, LGA, JFK Private Airport Transfer in NYC with SUV or Sedan: $252
- Departure Private Transfer: New York to J.F. Kennedy Airport JFK in Luxury Car: $238
- Newark Airport to Randolph City New Jersey Arrival Transfer: $215
- New York City Airport Arrival Transfer by Limo LGA JFK EWR: $215
- Private Transfer from Newark L Airport EWR to Manhattan by SUV: $210
- Private EWR Airport transfer / New York City (One Way): $210
Is it cheaper to fly into Managua or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City 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
-
Food Meals for one dayManagua $30New York City $87
Typical Food Prices in New York City
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Gelato$7.50
-
Snacks for Two at Yankees Game$34
-
Coffee$6.53
-
Smoothie$6.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New York City
For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Chinatown, Little Italy, Food Tour: $35
- Half-Day Private Pizza Crawl in Manhattan: $41
- Lunch & Dinner: Filet Mignon, Salad & Unlimited Fries: $41
- Sweets and Slices Greenwich Village Walking Food Tour: $49
- Made in Brooklyn Food Tour: $65
- Chinatown Food Tour with a Chef in Manhattan: $75
- Brooklyn Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour (Small Group): $75
- Greenwich Village Pizza Walk: $75
- New York's Classic Eats West Village Food Tour: $75
- New York's Classic Eats Lower East Side Food Tour: $75
- East Village Pizza Walk: $75
- Times Square Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour (Small Group): $75
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Managua $16New York City $180
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
- Granada + Boat ride+Handicraft Market+Catarina+ Lava tour: $120
- Granada lake +Colonial City + Lava tour Masaya volcano: $60
- 3 full day tour at Granada, Lava tour and Leon : $210
- Amazing Masaya Volcano at Night "Private Tour" : $88
- Apoyo Lagoon + Lava tour: $48
- Between Volcanoes Tours; Granada-Masaya.: $155
- Complete Tour of Granada and Masaya: History, Beauty & Tradition: $115
- Discover the Best of Managua on a Private City Tour: $60
- Granada Isletas and City tour: $68
- Managua Capital City Private Tour: $90
- Managua City Tour: $98
- Managua City Tour: $84
Typical Entertainment Prices in New York City
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Comedy Show Tickets$56
-
City Map$8.00
-
Broadway Musical$111
-
Broadway Show Program$10
-
Magazine$6.99
Tours and Activities in New York City
For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 hour Metropolitan Museum of Art Chinese Guided Tour: $103
- 3 Hour Session at Williamsburg's Adventure Park Area 53: $42
- Classic 1-Hour Central Park Pedicab Tour : $59
- Harlem Bronx Brooklyn Queens Tour in 7 Hours: $65
- Hidden Bar and Speakeasy Night Tour NYC : $36
- #1 Rated NYC Chinatown Food and History Walking Tour with FNYT: $99
- 1 HR - NYC Private Classic Car Experience - Downtown: $249
- 1 HR - NYC Private Classic Car Experience - Midtown: $64
- 1 Hour Live Interactive Driving Virtual Tour of Manhattan: $200
- 1 Hour Morning Walking Tour in Times Square NYC: $44
- 1 Hour Private Guided Tour: $50
- 1-Day New York Highlight Tour: $130
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Things to do in New York City with Kids, Things to Do in Central Park in NYC, and The Best Museums in New York City.
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayManagua $11New York City $29
Sample the Local Flavors in New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
- Brooklyn Distillery Tour : $22
- The Essential NYC Pub Crawl Experience: $24
- Distillery Tour and Tasting: $25
- New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- NYC Pub Crawl Tour: $30
- #1 NYC Pub Crawl with Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $33
- Top Shelf Distillery Tour: $33
- Best of NYC Drag - Drag Bar Crawl with Drink: $49
- Greenwich Village Piano Bar Crawl: $50
- East Village Gangster Ghost Pub Crawl: $64
- Underground Brooklyn Walking Brewery Tour: $99
- New York Beer and Brewery tour: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Managua and New York City, we can see that New York City 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 New York City is in North 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 New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City 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 New York City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Managua or New York City?
New York City has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Managua. When comparing the sizes of Managua and New York City, 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 New York City?
New York City 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 New York City in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Managua and New York City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round. Also, most visitors come to New York City for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Managua is around the same temperature as New York City in the summer. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and New York City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
New York City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Managua gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Managua usually receives more rain than New York City. Managua gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyManagua 27°C (81°F)New York City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Managua or New York City in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Managua as well as New York City. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to New York City because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Managua is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Managua in October average around 27°C (81°F), and New York City averages at about 57°F (14°C).
Managua receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Managua usually gets more rain in October than New York City. Managua gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManagua 27°C (81°F)New York City 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Managua or New York City in the Winter?
Both New York City and Managua are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to New York City this time of year.
It's quite cold in New York City in the winter. In January, Managua is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Managua average around 26°C (79°F), and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).
In January, Managua usually receives less rain than New York City. Managua gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManagua 26°C (79°F)New York City 31°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Managua or New York City in the Spring?
Both New York City 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to New York City for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Managua is much warmer than New York City in the spring. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and New York City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
Managua usually gets less rain in April than New York City. Managua gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilManagua 29°C (84°F)New York City 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for New York City and Managua
| Managua | New York City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 inches (88 mm) |
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.