Which place is cheaper, Pucon or Managua?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Managua or Pucon?
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 Pucon can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Managua or Pucon?
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.
Pucon
A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.
Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManagua $55Pucon $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Managua is $55, while the average daily cost in Pucon is $100. 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 Pucon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManagua $23Pucon $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManagua $46Pucon $86
Compare Hotels in Managua and Pucon
Looking for a hotel in Managua or Pucon? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Managua $20Pucon $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Granada: Managua to Granada Airport private transfer: $64
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $66
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Managua to Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) - Departure Transfer: $33
- Managua-Leon: Airport private transfer from to Managua /Leon: $85
- Managua-San juan del sur: Airport private transfer: $125
- Airport private transfer from Managua.: $25
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- Popoyo Beach Transfer: $90
- Private Transfer in Nicaragua: $110
- Rivas: Managua to Rivas Airport private transfer: $75
- San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:
- Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
- Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $114
- Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Managua or Pucon?
Prices for flights to both Pucon 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 $17Pucon $38
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Managua $16Pucon $37
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
- 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
- Managua City Tour: $88
Tours and Activities in Pucon
Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
- Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
- Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
- Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
- Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
- Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
- Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
- Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManagua $11Pucon $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Managua and Pucon, we can see that Pucon 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 Pucon 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 Pucon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pucon 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 Pucon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Managua or Pucon?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the sizes of Managua and Pucon, 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 Pucon?
Pucon 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 Pucon in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Managua as well as Pucon. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Managua is much warmer than Pucon in the summer. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Pucon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pucon. In the summer, Managua often gets less sunshine than Puconin January. Managua gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 296 hours of full sun.
Managua receives a lot of rain in the summer. Managua usually gets more rain in July than Puconin January. Managua gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryManagua 27°C (81°F)Pucon 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Managua or Pucon in the Autumn?
Both Pucon and Managua are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year.
In the autumn, Managua is much warmer than Pucon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Managua in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Pucon averages at about 11°C (52°F)in April.
Managua usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during autumn. Managua gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 132 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. It's quite rainy in Managua. In October, Managua usually receives more rain than Puconin April. Managua gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilManagua 27°C (81°F)Pucon 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Managua or Pucon in the Winter?
Both Pucon 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.
In January, Managua is generally much warmer than Puconin July. Daily temperatures in Managua average around 26°C (79°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
It's quite sunny in Managua. In the winter, Managua often gets more sunshine than Puconin July. Managua gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 66 hours of full sun.
Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Managua usually gets less rain in January than Puconin July. Managua gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyManagua 26°C (79°F)Pucon 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Managua or Pucon in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Managua and Pucon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round.
Managua is much warmer than Pucon in the spring. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in October.
In Managua, it's very sunny this time of the year. Managua usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during spring. Managua gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.
Pucon receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Managua usually receives less rain than Puconin October. Managua gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberManagua 29°C (84°F)Pucon 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Pucon and Managua
| Managua | Pucon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 297 mm (11.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 247 mm (9.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.