Which place is cheaper, Asuncion or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Manila or Asuncion?
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 Manila and Asuncion can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Asuncion?
Manila
A sprawling metropolis that is home to more than 12 million people, Manila is one huge, misunderstood concrete jungle, full of diverse cultures, traffic, pollution, restaurants, shopping malls, noise and nightlife. If you're looking to soak in culture and feel the vibe of a place rather than seeking a city that specifically caters to tourists, Manila is the place to be. Capital of the Philippines, Manila is also the center for education, business, and transportation.
Asuncion
Asuncion is a vastly underrated city. It is the capital but also the administrative economic and cultural center of Paraguay. It is located in the south central part of the country, near the border with Argentina and it is one of the oldest cities in South America, with people living here since almost 500 years. The city has a beautiful and simple center, with a few unique colonial and beaux arts buildings, international cuisine, shady plazas and friendly people. Its handful of historic buildings around the Plaza de los Heroes, Plaza Uruguaya and Manzana de la Ribera, two or three small museums, old bars and cafes, but also smart suburbs, ritzy shopping malls and fashionable nightclubs will keep you entertained for a day or two. It is a very charming city for travellers and apart from the sights, the city boasts a good tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $93Asuncion $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $93, while the average daily cost in Asuncion is $67. 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 Manila and Asuncion in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Asuncion $22
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Asuncion $44
Compare Hotels in Manila and Asuncion
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Asuncion? 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: Manila Hotel Prices and Asuncion Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Asuncion $8.69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- ⭐ Manila International Airport Car Transfer To & From City⭐: $73
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Manila APT-HTL (MNL) : $30
- Tagaytay + Hidden Valley Springs: A Scenic Escape w/ Transfers: $200
- Round-trip Coron Airport Transfer + Town Tour (Shared): $31
- Puerto Princesa Airport to El Nido Transfer: $25
- Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $22
- Private Transfer from Clark Airport (CRK) to Subic Bay Port: $46
- Private Departure Airport Transfer in Manila Bay and Makati Area: $23
- Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $68
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Paranaque Private Transfer: $120
- Nagpatong Rock Day hike + Tungtong Falls(with transfers**) 2023: $130
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion
Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in private car from Asuncion City - Asuncion Airport (ASU): $20
- Transfer in Private Car from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $21
- Transfer in private minivan from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $29
- Transfer in private minivan Asuncion City - Silvio Pettirosi Airport (ASU): $29
- RoundTrip Private Transfer Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $52
- RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $59
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Asuncion?
Prices for flights to both Asuncion and Manila 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
-
Food Meals for one dayManila $18Asuncion $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Manila Night Market and food tour Experience: $58
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $64
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
- Makati Street Food Tour Experience: $69
- Food Tour at the World's Oldest Chinatown: $75
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience with Mari: $82
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Cultural Dinner and Show in Manila: $145
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Asuncion $16
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Active Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour (2in1): $135
- Bataan Death March Memorial Historical Tour : $188
- Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC: $73
- Corregidor daytour Via Manila to Bataan: $298
- Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour : $80
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
- From 4-Day Sagada and Banaue Rice Terraces Tour: $342
- From Day Tour to Enchanting Hidden Valley: $160
- From Majestic Pagsanjan Falls Adventure: $160
- From Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour: $107
- From Panoramic Tagaytay Ridge Tour: $150
- From Taal Volcano Island & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour: $135
Tours and Activities in Asuncion
For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Asuncion: $34
- Walking Tour with a Local in Asuncion "The Mother of Cities": $35
- Asunción Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Asuncion Birding Tour: $70
- Crystal Fall - day tour in a reduced group: $85
- Golden Triangle Tour: $110
- Birding and Nature Chaco Tour: $140
- Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour from Asunción: $160
- Half-Day Yparacai Lake Tour from Asuncion with Pick Up: $185
- Day tour “Circuito San Bernardino”: $214
- Day tour “Circuito Sapucai”: $221
- Day tour “Pai Pukú”: $230
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.88Asuncion $10
Typical Alcohol Prices in Asuncion
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:
-
Beer$1.21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Asuncion, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Asuncion much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manila is in Asia and Asuncion 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 Asuncion would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asuncion 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 Manila would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manila than you might in Asuncion.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manila Expensive? and Is Asuncion Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Asuncion?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Asuncion. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Asuncion, 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 Manila or Asuncion?
Asuncion has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Manila experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Manila or Asuncion in the Summer?
Both Asuncion and Manila during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Manila is around the same temperature as Asuncion. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manila in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Asuncion averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.
Asuncion gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Manila. Manila usually gets more rain in July than Asuncionin January. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Asuncion receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryManila 27°C (80°F)Asuncion 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Manila or Asuncion in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Asuncion. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.
In October, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Asuncionin April. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 26°C (79°F), and Asuncion fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Asuncion receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Manila usually receives more rain than Asuncionin April. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Asuncion receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilManila 26°C (79°F)Asuncion 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Manila or Asuncion in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Manila as well as Asuncion. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Manila is a little warmer than Asuncion in the winter. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Asuncion fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in July.
Manila usually gets less rain in January than Asuncionin July. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Asuncion receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyManila 24°C (76°F)Asuncion 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Manila or Asuncion in the Spring?
Both Asuncion and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.
In the spring, Manila is a little warmer than Asuncion. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manila in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Asuncion averages at about 25°C (77°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Asuncion. In April, Manila usually receives less rain than Asuncionin October. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Asuncion receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberManila 29°C (84°F)Asuncion 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Asuncion and Manila
| Manila | Asuncion | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 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.