Which place is cheaper, Medellin or Manaus?
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 Manaus or Medellin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Manaus or Medellin? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Manaus or Medellin?
Manaus
Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.
Medellin
In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Manaus Prices
Brazil PricesMedellin Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManaus $69Medellin $36
The average daily cost (per person) in Manaus is $69, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $36. 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 Manaus and Medellin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManaus $43Medellin $5.73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManaus $86Medellin $11
Compare Hotels in Manaus and Medellin
Looking for a hotel in Manaus or Medellin? 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: Manaus Hotel Prices and Medellin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manaus $8.00Medellin $4.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus
Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 24-hour Hotel Transfer to Manaus Airport: $19
- 24-hour airport to hotel transfer in Manaus: $19
- 24-hour transfer from airport to hotel in Manaus: $20
- Manaus Airport: 1-Hour Shared Transfer to Manaus Hotels: $46
- Manaus private Airport transfer: $60
- Manaus to Manaus Airport (MAO) - Departure Private Transfer: $31
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $35
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) -Departure Private Transfer: $54
- One Way Shared Transfer from hotels to Manaus airport: $57
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $108
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $70
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
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Taxi$1.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Transfer from or to Medellin's airport: $65
- Transfer from Medellin - Airport OR from Airport - Medellin: $55
- Transfer airport JMC - Medellin or vice versa - Private: $65
- Private VIP Transfer from José María Córdova Airport to Medellín: $65
- Private Transfer to Medellin Airport (MDE): $31
- Private Transfer from Medellín City to José María Córdova (MDE) Airport: $68
- Private Transfer from MDE Airport to Hotels and City of Medellín: $49
- Private Transfer Jose Marie Cordova Airport to Medellin Bello: $100
- Private Medellin MDE airport pick up transfer service one way: $35
- Private Medellín Hotel to Airport transfer service: $39
- Private Medellín Airport Arrival Transfer: Comfort & Reliability: $43
- Private Airport Transfer in Medellín: Arrival Service: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Manaus or Medellin?
Prices for flights to both Medellin and Manaus 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 dayManaus $22Medellin $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus
For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour: $70
- Regional Food Tour with Tasting of Typical Dishes: $93
- Dinner with Boi-Bumbá Show and Transfers: $117
- Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $120
- Amazonian Food Tour with Local Guide: $156
Typical Food Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
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Lunch$2.53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Medellín: Comuna 13 True Story and Street Food Tour: $14
- Medellin El Poblado Street Food Tour: $34
- Empanada Cooking Class with Local Chef - Comuna 13: $34
- Food tour with 12 tastings in the best area of Medellin: $40
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Street Art and Street Food Tour: $44
- Laureles Food Tour: $45
- Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $48
- Medellin Food Tour in Laureles: $54
- Medellín Home Cooking Class, Fruit Tasting & Colombian Snack: $55
- Street Food Tour in Medellín with Tastings: $55
- Colombia Inspired Food Tour: $59
- Medellin Private Nighttime City Sightseeing Tour by E-Bike + Gourmet Dinner: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manaus -Medellin $15
Tours and Activities in Manaus
For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
- Full-Day Tour on the Amazon River: $55
- Half-Day City Tour: $56
- Guided Walking Tour with Museum Entry: $58
- Meeting of the Waters & Pink Dolphin Tour with Lunch: $65
- MUSA and INPA Museums with Observation Tower Tour: $65
- Manaus City Tour e Musa: $65
- The Heart of the Amazon in One Day (The Most Complete Tour): $70
- Manaus Sightseeing Tour: $74
- Private Tour in Science Forest and Amazonas Theater: $75
- Manaus City Tour: $77
- Amazon Museum Guided Tour with Biologist Guide: $80
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- “Exclusive Mountain Escape : ATV Tour from Medellin with lunch: $145
- “Medellín: Quad Bike (ATV) Sightseeing Tour of 3 Mountains, Waterfall, and Lunch”: $130
- 2 Day Private Jardin Tour with Activities from Medellin: $260
- 2 Hour Medellin Off Road ATV Experiences: $160
- 2-Hours Street Art Walking Tour in Medellin Comuna 13: $24
- 3 Secret Viewpoints of Medellin + Picacho + Neighborhood: Nighttime Experience: $147
- 3-Hour Private Guided Tour in Medellin: $61
- 4 Hours Private Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour: $60
- 4 hours Private Pablo Escobar Dark days Tour of Medellin: $60
- 4-Hour Medellin, Envigado & Sabaneta Three County Tour: $79
- 9-Hour Full Day Tour of Pablo Escobar Including C13, Museum and Barrio PE: $240
- 90 Minute Walking Tour of Guatapé: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManaus $2.86Medellin $8.70
Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- The Medellin Pub Crawl: $20
- The "Beyond Local Pub Crawl" Now in Medellín!: $23
- The "Beyond Local Pub Crawl" Now in Medellín!: $24
- Rooftop Bar Crawl with VIP Access & Hidden Clubs: $27
- Medellín: Pub crawl in Provenza, music, dancing, and shots: $30
- Live the Nightlife Rooftop Pub Crawl: $49
- Medellín: San Francisco Wine Tour with Tastings & Lunch: $332
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manaus and Medellin, we can see that Manaus is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Manaus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manaus than you might in Medellin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manaus Expensive? and Is Medellin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manaus or Medellin?
Medellin has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Manaus. When comparing the sizes of Manaus and Medellin, 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.