Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manila or Dakar?
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 Dakar can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Dakar?
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.
Dakar
Located in West Africa, Dakar is the capital city of Senegal and an Atlantic port on the Cap-Vert peninsula. Main attractions include the city's markets, the Dakar Grand Mosque, Goree Island, the IFAN Museum, the African Renaissance Monument, beaches, and the Senegal Zoo.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $93Dakar $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $93, while the average daily cost in Dakar is $61. 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 Dakar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Dakar $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Dakar $64
Compare Hotels in Manila and Dakar
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Dakar? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Dakar $5.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Full On 5-7 hours ATV Adventure Rivers-Mountains-Jungle with Transfers Manila: $280
- Active Taal Volcano experience 2024 (with transfers): $140
- Adventure Awaits: Spelunking at Cavinti Cave Complex w/ Transfers: $160
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
- Day Hike Mt. Batulao 811 meters with transfers from Manila** 2024: $130
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- Half Day Historical Manila City tour and much more with transfers: $70
- Manila Airport (MNL): One-way Private Transfers: $57
- Manila Airport Transfer: $37
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $35
- Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport Private Transfer: $9.80
- Nagpatong Rock Day hike + Tungtong Falls(with transfers**) 2023: $130
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
- AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49
- Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $66
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $82
- DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $120
- Transfer - Dakar <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $197
- Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $211
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Dakar?
Prices for flights to both Dakar 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
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Food Meals for one dayManila $18Dakar $20
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
Typical Food Prices in Dakar
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:
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Breakfast$4.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dakar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dakar.
- Senegalese Street Food Tour in Dakar: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Dakar $14
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Guided Tour of the Historic San Sebastian Basilica (Manila): $6.42
- Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $18
- Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
- ⭐ Makati Bar Hopping Tour with Venus ⭐: $27
- Intramuros Historical Walk Tour: $27
- Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $33
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $35
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $43
- ⭐ Intramuros The Walled City Walking Tour ⭐: $46
- ⭐ Authentic Manila Chinatown Experience ⭐: $46
- Manila One-on-One Walking Tour with Mobile Photography: $50
Tours and Activities in Dakar
Here are a few actual costs in Dakar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $30
- Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Dakar: $31
- Accro Baobab Adventure Ticket Entry: $38
- Half Day Dakar City Tour: $105
- Private City Tour: $109
- Full Day Private Tour in move, eat, act like a local: $109
- Half-Day GOREE Island Tour:The Heritage Tour: $130
- Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130
- From Dakar or Saly: Half-Day Tour to Pink Lake: $138
- Full Day Goree Island And Dakar City Tour(Minimum 2 Participants): $142
- Full-Day Private Dakar City Tour : $142
- Day trip Goree island and Dakar city tour : $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.88Dakar $9.00
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Dakar, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Dakar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manila is in Asia and Dakar is in Africa, 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 Dakar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dakar 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 Dakar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manila Expensive? and Is Dakar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Dakar?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Dakar. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Dakar, 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 Dakar?
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 Manila or Dakar in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Dakar. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Manila usually receives more rain than Dakar. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Manila is around the same temperature as Dakar. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manila in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Dakar averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Dakar 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Manila or Dakar in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Manila as well as Dakar. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year.
Manila receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Manila usually gets more rain in October than Dakar. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Dakar. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 26°C (79°F), and Dakar fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Dakar 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Manila or Dakar in the Winter?
Both Dakar and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Manila usually receives more rain than Dakar. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Manila is a little warmer than Dakar in the winter. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Dakar fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Dakar 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Manila or Dakar in the Spring?
Both Dakar and Manila during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round.
Manila usually gets more rain in April than Dakar. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Manila is a little warmer than Dakar. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manila in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Dakar averages at about 21°C (70°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Dakar 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Dakar and Manila
| Manila | Dakar | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.