Which place is cheaper, Quepos or Managua?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Managua or Quepos?
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 Quepos can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Managua or Quepos?
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.
Quepos
Quepos is both a district and the capital of Aguirre canton in the Puntareanas Province of Costa Rica. The town is quite small, and the district has a population of about 22,000 people. Quepos is a popular tourist destination in Costa Rica due to its close proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific Coast. The town's economy is centered around tourism and there is no shortage of bars and restaurants in the area. The town also has a lively nightlife for such a small community.
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 Costa Rica, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManagua $55Quepos $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Managua is $55, while the average daily cost in Quepos is $117. 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 Quepos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManagua $23Quepos $77
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManagua $46Quepos $154
Compare Hotels in Managua and Quepos
Looking for a hotel in Managua or Quepos? 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 Quepos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Managua $20Quepos $9.56
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
- 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
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos
Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Manuel Antonio/Quepos : $300
- One-Way Private Transfer from Quepos - Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $276
- Manuel Antonio & Quepos one way transfer to SJO hotels - Airport up to 5 people.: $274
- Private transfer from SJ Airport to Manuel Antonio and vice versa: $230
- Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Nauyaca: $220
- Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport and surroundings : $209
- Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Nauyaca Waterfalls (Round Trip): $199
- One-Way Private Transfer from Uvita to Quepos - Manuel Antonio: $140
- Private Transfer From San Jose Airport To Manuel Antonio Beach: $125
- Transfer TO or FROM Manuel Antonio, Quepos to SJO Airport - Private (ONE WAY): $105
- Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to San Jose City Hotels: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Managua or Quepos?
Prices for flights to both Quepos 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 $17Quepos $30
Typical Food Prices in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$15
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Seafood Dinner (for 1)$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Night Jungle Tour with Dinner (Rainmaker Park): $59
- 3 Hour Cooking Class and Medical Plants Garden: $77
- Cooking Class & Medicinal Plants Garden Manuel Antonio: $77
- Night Mangrove Safari Boat Tour with Dinner | Manuel Antonio: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Managua $16Quepos $17
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: $189
- Managua’s Historic Gems: A Cultural Walking Tour: $163
- Managua’s Historic Gems: A Cultural Walking Tour: $320
- Masaya Volcano Night Tour: $53
- Masaya Volcano and Managua City Half Day Private Historical Tour: $175
Tours and Activities in Quepos
For Quepos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 10 in 1 Tour! Zip Lines, Rappels, Tarzan Swing, Waterfalls & More: $130
- 2-3-Hour Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour: $30
- 2-Hour Boat Tour in Quepos: $55
- 3-Hour Damas Mangrove Kayak Tour: $90
- ATV Tour Half Day Trip From Manuel Antonio: $90
- All Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure from Manuel Antonio: $83
- All-Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure with Lunch: $93
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Nauyaca Waterfall and Beach Town Tour: $142
- All-Inclusive Jungle Night Tour: $59
- Beach Day Experience in Manuel Antonio: $20
- Birding at El Rey. (Marshes,rice fields,canals) Private Birding Tour : $120
- Canopy Tour From Manuel Antonio: $116
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManagua $11Quepos $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Managua and Quepos, we can see that Quepos 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 Quepos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Quepos 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 Quepos Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Managua or Quepos?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Managua and Quepos, 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 Quepos?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Managua or Quepos in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Managua and Quepos. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Quepos receives a lot of rain in the summer. Managua gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Managua usually receives less rain than Quepos. Managua gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Managua usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Quepos during summer. Managua gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Managua is generally around the same temperature as Quepos. Daily temperatures in Managua average around 27°C (81°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManagua 27°C (81°F)Quepos 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Managua or Quepos in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Managua as well as Quepos. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Quepos. Managua receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Managua usually gets less rain in October than Quepos. Managua gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Managua often gets more sunshine than Quepos. Managua gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 169 hours of full sun.
Managua is around the same temperature as Quepos in the autumn. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Quepos fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManagua 27°C (81°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Managua or Quepos in the Winter?
Both Quepos and Managua are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Managua usually receives less rain than Quepos. Managua gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Quepos. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Managua. Managua usually receives less sunshine than Quepos during winter. Managua gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Quepos receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Managua is around the same temperature as Quepos. Typically, the winter temperatures in Managua in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Quepos averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManagua 26°C (79°F)Quepos 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Managua or Quepos in the Spring?
Both Quepos 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round.
Managua usually gets less rain in April than Quepos. Managua gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Quepos receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Quepos, 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 Quepos. Managua gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Quepos receives 255 hours of full sun.
In April, Managua is generally around the same temperature as Quepos. Daily temperatures in Managua average around 29°C (84°F), and Quepos fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManagua 29°C (84°F)Quepos 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Quepos and Managua
| Managua | Quepos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.