A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Manila vs. Rosario for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Manila or Rosario?

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 Rosario can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Manila or Rosario?

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.

Rosario

Rosario is the third largest city in Argentina. Located at the Parana river and known for its rich architectural heritage and beautiful riverside scenery, Rosario is the birthplace of the Argentinian flag as well as two of the nation's most famous icons, Che Guevara and Lionel Messi. Rosario is still an important river port but has done a great job of regenerating its center, which now has a vibrant cultural and night life. The abandoned buildings of the long riverbank have been converted into galleries, restaurants, skateparks and river beaches, which buzz with life in summer. Dynamic and confident without being showy, culturally rich and the best urban location to cool off in the boiling summers, Rosario is easily overlooked but not to be missed.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best Tours for Seniors to Argentina, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Rosario or Manila?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $106, while the average daily cost in Rosario is $62. 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 Rosario in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Manila $54
    Rosario $47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Manila $108
    Rosario $94
Compare Hotels in Manila and Rosario

Looking for a hotel in Manila or Rosario? 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.

Hotels in Manila


Hotels in Rosario


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 Rosario Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Manila $14
    Rosario $3.14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:

  • Safe and secure Airport Transfer Best in Manila: $216
  • Tagaytay-Pagsanjan Falls combo tour with transfers** updated 2024: $180
  • Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
  • Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
  • Amazing Taal Volcano Island Boat Tour with Transfers: $120
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $98
  • Airport Transfer from Manila Airport: $96
  • METRO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $64
  • Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $53
  • Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport: $50
  • Quality Safe and Reliable Manila Airport Transfers: $49
  • Private Departure Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41

Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Rosario?

Prices for flights to both Rosario 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 day
    Manila $31
    Rosario $6.59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.

  • Ugbo Manila Street Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $60
  • ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $62
  • Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
  • Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
  • Guided Food Tour of Binondo with Tastings: $65
  • Street Food tour & Local Jeepney, Tuktuk Ride: $66
  • Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
  • Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $71
  • Authentic Manila Chinatown Food Tour Exploration : $75
  • Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
  • Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
  • Day Tour in Manilas History and Savor a Cultural Dinner: $175

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Manila $19
    Rosario $27

Tours and Activities in Manila

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:

  • (Excursion) Day tour in Manila: $258
  • A Day in Paradise at Villa Escudero Coconut Plantation Adventure: $150
  • A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
  • Active Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour (2in1): $135
  • Amazing Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Tour 2in1: $125
  • Amazing Taal Volcano Tour (Boat Included): $125
  • Antipolo Day Tour with Cloud 9 and Pinto Art Museum: $80
  • BAGUIO CITY DAY TOUR (FROM MANILA): $357
  • BANAUE:BATAD Rice Terraces with Sagada 4D3N PRIVATE TOUR: $7,130
  • Bataan Death March Memorial Historical Tour : $208
  • Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC: $71
  • Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour : $85

Tours and Activities in Rosario

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rosario.

  • Newell's Old Boys Football Match and Messi Tour: $120

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Manila $9.90
    Rosario $7.54


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Rosario, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Rosario much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manila is in Asia and Rosario 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 Rosario would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rosario 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 Rosario.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manila Expensive? and Is Rosario Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Manila or Rosario?

Manila has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Rosario. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Rosario, 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.