Which place is cheaper, Managua or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manila or Managua?
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 Managua can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Managua?
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.
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.
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 Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $93Managua $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $93, while the average daily cost in Managua is $55. 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 Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Managua $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Managua $46
Compare Hotels in Manila and Managua
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Managua? 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 Managua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Managua $20
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
- Tagaytay + Hidden Valley Springs: A Scenic Escape w/ Transfers: $200
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- Adventure Awaits: Spelunking at Cavinti Cave Complex w/ Transfers: $160
- Active Taal Volcano experience 2024 (with transfers): $140
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
- Day Hike Mt. Batulao 811 meters with transfers from Manila** 2024: $130
- Nagpatong Rock Day hike + Tungtong Falls(with transfers**) 2023: $130
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Paranaque Private Transfer: $120
- ⭐ Manila International Airport Car Transfer To & From City⭐: $73
- Half Day Historical Manila City tour and much more with transfers: $70
- Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport private transfer from Managua.: $25
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Managua to Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) - Departure Transfer: $33
- San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- Granada: Managua to Granada Airport private transfer: $64
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $66
- Transfer from and To Poneloya or Las Peñitas Beach- Leon, Nicaragua: $68
- Private Transfer from Managua Augusto Airport to Corinto Port: $71
- Private Transfer from Managua City Hotels to Corinto Cruise Port: $71
- Rivas: Managua to Rivas Airport private transfer: $75
- Managua-Leon: Airport private transfer from to Managua /Leon: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Managua?
Prices for flights to both Managua 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 $18Managua $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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Managua $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 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.88Managua $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Managua, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Managua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manila is in Asia and Managua is in Central 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 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 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 Managua.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manila Expensive? and Is Managua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Managua?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Managua. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Managua, 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 Managua?
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 Manila or Managua in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Manila as well as Managua. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Managua. Manila receives a lot of rain in the summer. Manila usually gets more rain in July than Managua. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Managua receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Manila is around the same temperature as Managua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manila in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Managua averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Manila or Managua in the Autumn?
Both Managua and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Managua because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Managua. It's quite rainy in Manila. In October, Manila usually receives more rain than Managua. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Managua receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Managua. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 26°C (79°F), and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Manila or Managua in the Winter?
Both Managua and Manila during the winter 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 Managua year-round.
Manila usually gets more rain in January than Managua. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Managua receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Manila is around the same temperature as Managua in the winter. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Managua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Managua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Manila or Managua in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Managua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Manila usually receives more rain than Managua. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Managua receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Manila is around the same temperature as Managua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manila in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Managua averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Managua 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Managua and Manila
| Manila | Managua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 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.