Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Managua?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Managua or Puerto Varas?
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 Puerto Varas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Managua or Puerto Varas?
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.
Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManagua $55Puerto Varas $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Managua is $55, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $109. 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 Puerto Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManagua $23Puerto Varas $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManagua $46Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Managua and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Managua or Puerto Varas? 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 Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Managua $20Puerto Varas $21
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 Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Managua or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas 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 $17Puerto Varas $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Managua $16Puerto Varas $19
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 Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Adventure Fullday Tour Osorno Volcano and Saltos de Petrohue National Park: $150
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Full-Day Osorno Vulcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $80
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $52
- Lake Llanquihue Bike Tour in Puerto Varas: $129
- Petrohue Falls and Osorno Volcano Bike Tour: $124
- Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Varas: $68
- Premium Half Day Shared Tour Sunset at Osorno Volcano: $130
- Premium Small-Group Half day Tour to Frutillar in Puerto Varas: $144
- Private Rock Climbing Experience in Northern Patagonia: $100
- Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManagua $11Puerto Varas $6.51
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Managua and Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Managua or Puerto Varas?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Managua and Puerto Varas, 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 Puerto Varas?
Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Managua as well as Puerto Varas. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Managua is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Managua in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 16°C (60°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. In the summer, Managua often gets less sunshine than Puerto Varasin January. Managua gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun.
Managua receives a lot of rain in the summer. Managua usually gets more rain in July than Puerto Varasin January. Managua gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryManagua 27°C (81°F)Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Managua or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Varas 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 October, Managua is generally much warmer than Puerto Varasin April. Daily temperatures in Managua average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Managua usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during autumn. Managua gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. It's quite rainy in Managua. In October, Managua usually receives more rain than Puerto Varasin April. Managua gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilManagua 27°C (81°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Managua or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
Both Puerto Varas 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.
Managua is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the winter. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 7°C (45°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Managua. In the winter, Managua often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin July. Managua gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun.
Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Managua usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Varasin July. Managua gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyManagua 26°C (79°F)Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Managua or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Managua and Puerto Varas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round.
In the spring, Managua is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Managua in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 11°C (51°F)in October.
In Managua, it's very sunny this time of the year. Managua usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during spring. Managua gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Managua usually receives less rain than Puerto Varasin October. Managua gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberManagua 29°C (84°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Managua
| Managua | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.