Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Managua?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Managua or Saint John?
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 Saint John can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Managua or Saint John?
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.
Saint John
With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.
This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManagua $55Saint John $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Managua is $55, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $192. 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 Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManagua $23Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManagua $46Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Managua and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Managua or Saint John? 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 $20Saint John $49
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Managua or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John 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 $17Saint John $56
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Managua $16Saint John $23
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 Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
- USVI: Island & Beach Tours in St. Thomas & St. John (2 Days): $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManagua $11Saint John $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Managua and Saint John, we can see that Saint John 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 Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Saint John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John 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 Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Managua or Saint John?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Managua or Saint John in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Managua as well as Saint John. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
Managua receives a lot of rain in the summer. Managua usually gets more rain in July than Saint John. Managua gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Managua is around the same temperature as Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManagua 27°C (81°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Managua or Saint John in the Autumn?
Both Saint John and Managua are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. It's quite rainy in Managua. In October, Managua usually receives more rain than Saint John. Managua gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Managua is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Managua in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManagua 27°C (81°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Managua or Saint John in the Winter?
Both Saint John 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
Managua usually gets less rain in January than Saint John. Managua gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Managua is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Managua average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManagua 26°C (79°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Managua or Saint John in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Managua and Saint John. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Managua usually receives less rain than Saint John. Managua gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Managua is around the same temperature as Saint John in the spring. The daily temperature in Managua averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManagua 29°C (84°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Managua
| Managua | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.