Which place is cheaper, Managua or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Merida or Managua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Managua, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Merida or Managua?
Merida
Merida is the largest city on the Yucatan Peninsula, which separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea. It is also the capital of the state of Yucatan as a whole. There is a population of 750,000 and is very rich in diversity and culture.
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 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $88Managua $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $88, 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 Merida and Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $44Managua $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $88Managua $46
Compare Hotels in Merida and Managua
Looking for a hotel in Merida 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: Merida Hotel Prices and Managua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $18Managua $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Tulum hotels - Round Trip Transfer: $227
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Private Transfer From Uxmal to Merida, English Speaking Driver: $73
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $47
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida airport to central Merida: $41
- Mexico Private Transfer from Merida hotels to Merida airport: $41
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer From Managua International Airport: $90
- San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
- Rivas: Managua to Rivas Airport private transfer: $75
- Private Transfer in Nicaragua: $110
- Popoyo Beach Transfer: $90
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- Airport private transfer from Managua.: $25
- Managua-San juan del sur: Airport private transfer: $125
- Managua-Leon: Airport private transfer from to Managua /Leon: $85
- Managua to Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) - Departure Transfer: $33
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Merida or Managua?
Prices for flights to both Managua and Merida 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 dayMerida $29Managua $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merida
For Merida, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Merida Walking Food Tour. Authentic & Local Cuisine: $62
- Taste of the Yucatan: Merida Cooking Class and Market Visit: $89
- Private Yucatecan Cooking Lesson in a Local Merida Home: $90
- Private Market Tour and Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Merida with Transfers: $126
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $16Managua $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Merida
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Merida's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Train at the Zoo$0.12
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Uxmal Entrance (for 2)$20
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Mayan Village Entrance (for 2)$6.01
Tours and Activities in Merida
For Merida, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Mérida Tour Plus: Chichen Itza Ruins and Cenote Ik-kil: $195
- Romantic tour in Izamal: $159
- 2-hour Temazcal experience in the Mayan world: $179
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $60
- 3 Hours Private Tour in Merida, you choose!: $125
- 4 Cenotes Full Day Tour from Merida: $110
- 4x1 Tour Chichen Itza Magic Towns Valladolid & Izamal from Merida: $95
- Ancestral Mayan Private Culinary Experience in Merida: $138
- Beach Tour in Yucalpetén from Mérida: $95
- Celestun Biosphere Reserve Tour from Merida: $208
- Cenotes Santa Barbara, Eknakan Church & Acanceh Ruins Tour: $110
- Chichen Itza Adventure! Cenote and Izamal from Merida: $104
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
- 3 full days PRIVATE tour at Granada, Masaya and Leon area from Managua: $210
- Amazing Masaya Volcano at Night "Private Tour" : $88
- Between Volcanoes Tours; Granada-Masaya.: $155
- Granada Isletas and City tour: $68
- Laguna de Apoyo Day pass plus Masaya Volcano Night Tour: $60
- Leon City and Rum Tasting Tour from Managua: $215
- Managua City Tour: $88
- Managua City Tour: $84
- Managua Love Stories: A Romantic Tour: $189
- Managua Love Stories: A Walking Tour: $97
- Managua’s Historic Gems: A Cultural Walking Tour: $164
- Managua’s Historic Gems: A Cultural Walking Tour: $321
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $16Managua $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Managua, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Managua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida is in North America 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 Merida would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Merida 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 Merida Expensive? and Is Managua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Managua?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Merida. When comparing the sizes of Merida 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 Merida or Managua?
Merida has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Managua experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Merida or Managua in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Managua. Most visitors come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Merida is cooler than Managua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Managua averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Managua during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.
Managua receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Managua. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Managua receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or Managua in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Merida as well as Managua. The autumn months attract visitors to Merida because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year.
In October, Merida is generally cooler than Managua. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Managua. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 195 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Managua. Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Managua. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Managua receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Merida or Managua in the Winter?
Both Managua and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Managua because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Merida is cooler than Managua in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Managua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Managua. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives less sunshine than Managua during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Merida usually receives more rain than Managua. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Managua receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)Managua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Merida or Managua in the Spring?
Both Managua and Merida during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Merida for the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round.
In the spring, Merida is cooler than Managua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Managua averages at about 29°C (84°F).
In Managua, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the spring, Merida often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Managua. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 242 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Managua. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Managua receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Managua 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Managua and Merida
| Merida | Managua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 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.