Which place is cheaper, Portland or Managua?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Managua or Portland?
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 Portland can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Managua or Portland?
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.
Portland
Referred to as "The City of Roses", Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It sits on the banks of the Columbia River and offers breathtaking views of Mount Hood when the weather allows. Portland is famous for its alternative vibe, live music scene, and popular microbreweries. It's also a mecca for environmentally conscious urban planning. The downtown area is quite compact and walkable. While the city itself may be smaller than you expect, it is still the largest metropolitan area between San Francisco and Seattle.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManagua $55Portland $180
The average daily cost (per person) in Managua is $55, while the average daily cost in Portland is $180. 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 Portland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManagua $23Portland $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManagua $46Portland $194
Compare Hotels in Managua and Portland
Looking for a hotel in Managua or Portland? 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 Portland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Managua $20Portland $28
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
- Private Transfer from Managua City Hotels to Corinto Cruise Port: $71
- Private Transfer from Managua Augusto Airport to Corinto Port: $71
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland
Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Portland International Airport - Private transfer from/to Oregon City: $127
- Private Transfer from Portland Airport (PDX) to Astoria Port: $88
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Tigard hotel or address to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Lake Oswego to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Portland downtown to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Waterfall Express -PDX: Waterfall Trolley Tickets + Transfer: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Managua or Portland?
Prices for flights to both Portland 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 $17Portland $43
Typical Food Prices in Portland
For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Afternoon Drinks (for 2)$9.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portland
For Portland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Pizza Tour: $75
- Secret Food Tour with Local Guide: $94
- Brunch on Mississippi Food Tour: $95
- Downtown Portland Food Tour : $99
- Downtown Food Tour: $102
- Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $105
- The Vibrant Kerns Hood Food Tour: $105
- The Bustling Buckman Hood Food Tour: $105
- Portland Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $109
- Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $110
- All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour: $119
- 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River: $127
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Managua $16Portland $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
- Managua City Tour: $84
- Managua City Tour: $88
- Managua Love Stories: A Romantic Tour: $191
- Managua’s Historic Gems: A Cultural Walking Tour: $323
- Managua’s Historic Gems: A Cultural Walking Tour: $164
- Masaya Volcano Night Tour: $53
- Masaya volcano Night Tour: $110
Tours and Activities in Portland
For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-hour Champagne Brunch Cruise on Willamette River: $102
- 2-hour Lunch Cruise on Willamette River: $86
- 7 Wonders of the Gorge 3.5-hour Jetboat Cruise: $90
- 90 Minute Sailing Tour of Portland: $99
- Aerial adventure above Portland, Oregon: $189
- Afternoon Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland: $75
- Afternoon Multnomah Falls and Gorge Waterfalls Tour: $85
- Air Tour of Mount Hood and Columbia River Gorge: $289
- Air Tour of Multnomah Falls & Columbia Gorge from Portland: $159
- Airplane Flight Tour over Portland, Oregon: $99
- All Day Northern Oregon Wineries and Forest Bike Tour: $245
- Beautiful Air Tour of the Columbia River Gorge : $99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManagua $11Portland $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Portland
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:
- Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings: $40
- Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
- Weird Bar Crawl with Fanatical Local: $59
- Guided Bike Tour with Brewery Visits: $65
- Portland, Maine: Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $89
- Portland, Maine: Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
- Afternoon Tour in Columbia Gorge Waterfall with Free Wine Tasting: $111
- Waterfalls, Mt Hood, and Wine Tour (Tasting Fees Included): $135
- Silver Falls Hike and Wine Tour: $179
- Willamette Valley Wine Tasting from Portland: $189
- Bed and Breakfast Wine Tour - Small Group, Joinable/Sharable: $198
- From Willamette Valley Full-Day Wine Tour: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Managua and Portland, we can see that Portland 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 Portland 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 Portland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland 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 Portland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Managua or Portland?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of Portland. When comparing the sizes of Managua and Portland, 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 Portland?
Portland 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 Portland in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Managua and Portland. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Portland in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Managua is a little warmer than Portland in the summer. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Portland fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland this time of the year. Managua usually receives less sunshine than Portland during summer. Managua gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 338 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 Portland. Managua gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManagua 27°C (81°F)Portland 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Managua or Portland in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Managua as well as Portland. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Portland for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Managua is much warmer than Portland. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Managua in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Portland averages at about 55°F (13°C).
In the autumn, Managua often gets more sunshine than Portland. Managua gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun.
Managua receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Managua usually gets more rain in October than Portland. Managua gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManagua 27°C (81°F)Portland 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Managua or Portland in the Winter?
Both Portland 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 winter months attract visitors to Portland because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Portland can be very cold. In January, Managua is generally much warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Managua average around 26°C (79°F), and Portland fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Managua. Managua usually receives more sunshine than Portland during winter. Managua gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Portland. In January, Managua usually receives less rain than Portland. Managua gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManagua 26°C (79°F)Portland 40°F (4°C)
Should I visit Managua or Portland in the Spring?
Both Portland 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. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Portland this time of year.
Managua is much warmer than Portland in the spring. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Portland fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
In Portland, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Managua. In the spring, Managua often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Portland. Managua gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun.
Managua usually gets less rain in April than Portland. Managua gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManagua 29°C (84°F)Portland 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Portland and Managua
| Managua | Portland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 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.