Which place is cheaper, San Pedro de Atacama or Managua?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Managua or San Pedro de Atacama?
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 San Pedro de Atacama can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Managua or San Pedro de Atacama?
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.
San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama is a gateway to northern Chile. It is a good jumping off point for exploring the area's impressive landscape, most of which is included in the Los Flamencos National Reserve. It is popular with both Chilean and international tourists, and because of its popularity, it is a relatively expensive destination, with many prices comparable to what you might pay in Santiago.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Tours for Seniors to Chile, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile.
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Managua Prices
Nicaragua PricesSan Pedro de Atacama Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManagua $67San Pedro de Atacama $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Managua is $67, while the average daily cost in San Pedro de Atacama is $69. 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 San Pedro de Atacama in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManagua $23San Pedro de Atacama $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManagua $46San Pedro de Atacama $64
Compare Hotels in Managua and San Pedro de Atacama
Looking for a hotel in Managua or San Pedro de Atacama? 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 San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Managua $20San Pedro de Atacama $9.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer, Transportation, Shuttle and Tours : $30
- Transfer From Managua International Airport: $90
- San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Managua: $57
- San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- Nicaragua Private Transfer Service Managua and San Juan del Sur: $100
- One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $57
- One way shared transfer to Leon: $39
- Managua-San juan del sur: Airport private transfer: $125
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $63
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $127
- Granada: One way shared transfer to Managua: $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro de Atacama
Also for San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 3 Perfect Days in Atacama + Airport Transfer: $224
- Private transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama City: $190
- Puritama Hot Springs Experience with Transfer and Entrance: $90
- Atacama Airport Private Transfer: $88
- Calama Airport Transfer to Atacama / Airport Lodging: $60
- Astronomical Tour in San Pedro de Atacama includes transfer, photo, and cocktail.: $53
- Puritama Hot Springs Transfer Tour: $45
- Stargazing Experience with Transfer: $44
- TRANSFER TO PURITAMA HOT SPRINGS: $40
- Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $40
- Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $40
- Atacama Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Managua or San Pedro de Atacama?
Prices for flights to both San Pedro de Atacama 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 $30San Pedro de Atacama $25
Typical Food Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Empanadas$1.26
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Lunch$10
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Dinner$11
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Drink$0.94
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Empanada$5.24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Local haute cuisine tasting menu dinner: $135
- Private Dinner Under the Stars: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Managua $16San Pedro de Atacama $21
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
- Granada + Boat ride+Handicraft Market+Catarina+ Lava tour: $120
- Granada lake +Colonial City + Lava tour Masaya volcano: $60
- 3 full day tour at Granada, Lava tour and Leon : $210
- Amazing Masaya Volcano at Night "Private Tour" : $88
- Apoyo Lagoon + Lava tour: $48
- Between Volcanoes Tours; Granada-Masaya.: $155
- Complete Tour of Granada and Masaya: History, Beauty & Tradition: $115
- Discover the Best of Managua on a Private City Tour: $60
- Granada Isletas and City tour: $68
- Managua Capital City Private Tour: $90
- Managua City Tour: $98
- Managua City Tour: $84
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro de Atacama's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Sand Boarding$56
Tours and Activities in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Moon Valley Tour, the Best Seller: $49
- The 3 Best Selling Tours in Atacama: $190
- 1-Day Tour Altiplanic Lagoons and Piedras Rojas and Laguna Chaxa: $120
- 2 Tours Valley of the Moon and Hidden Lagoons: $120
- 23km downhill bike tour + trekking among giant cacti: $70
- 3 Days and 4 Tours in San Pedro de Atacama: $190
- 3 Main Tours in San Pedo de Atacama: $190
- 3 or 4 days in San Pedro with Semi-Private tours: $300
- 3-Day Tour in San Pedro de Atacama: $205
- 4 TOUR IN ATACAMA IN 3 DAYS: $230
- 4 Tour in 2 Days, in San Pedro de Atacama: $200
- 4 Tours in 3 Days in San Pedro de Atacama: $198
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManagua $11San Pedro de Atacama $4.93
Typical Alcohol Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in San Pedro de Atacama:
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Alcohol$25
When comparing the travel costs between Managua and San Pedro de Atacama, we can see that San Pedro de Atacama is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Managua is in Central America and San Pedro de Atacama is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Managua Expensive? and Is San Pedro de Atacama Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Managua or San Pedro de Atacama?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 490 times larger than the population of San Pedro de Atacama. When comparing the sizes of Managua and San Pedro de Atacama, 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.
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.