Which place is cheaper, Manaus or Mombasa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Mombasa or Manaus?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mombasa and Manaus. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Mombasa or Manaus?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
Manaus
Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesManaus Prices
Brazil Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $80Manaus $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $80, while the average daily cost in Manaus is $66. 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 Mombasa and Manaus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Manaus $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Manaus $82
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Manaus
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Manaus? 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and Manaus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Manaus $7.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer From Mombasa (Moi Airport/SGR) To Diani: $35
- Safe Private Airport Transfer in Mombasa: $19
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $79
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $43
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $43
- Private Day Tour of Mombasa City with Transfers: $104
- Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
- Mombasa Airport Transfers : $129
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $95
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus
Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer service from Iberostar (Port) to Manaus Airport: $23
- Transfer from Manaus Airport to Manaus City: $45
- Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Eduardo Gomes International Airport: $64
- Serviço de Transfer Privado 24h Aeroporto - Hotel em Manaus: $25
- Private Transfer Group 24h Hotel to Airport in Manaus: $112
- Privado Transfer Aeroporto to Hotel Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge: $171
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $71
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $109
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $36
- Manaus private Airport transfer: $60
- Manaus Airport(MAO) to Manaus hotels- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $57
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Manaus?
Prices for flights to both Manaus and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41Manaus $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Special African Dinner: $46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus
For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $42
- Food Tour: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Manaus -
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mombasa Getaway with Haller Park Tours: $150
- The Best Of Mombasa Walking Tour: $227
- Bus Tickets from Mombasa to Nairobi: $55
- Day Tour To Tsavo East National Park: $240
- Day Tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa or Diani: $278
- Day tour to Shimba hills National Reserve from Mombasa/Diani: $336
- Diani: Full-day Guided Mombasa City Tour from Diani: $110
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $35
- Full Day Group Joining Tour of Mombasa : $107
- Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour : $110
- Full day tour in Mombasa: $93
- Full-Day Tour of Mombasa: $110
Tours and Activities in Manaus
For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure: 4-hour hike in the Amazon rainforest: $150
- Amazon Experience: Indigenous culture and nature phenomenon: $78
- Amazon Experience: meet a native village and swim with porpoises: $77
- Amazon Jungle Experience with Overnight: $300
- Amazon Jungle: 3- or 4-Day Tour at Ipanema River Guest House: $180
- Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
- Amazon Private Safari by Tuhiri Eco Tour - Leaving Manaus: $199
- Amazon Rainforest Tour, Trails, Jungle, Caves and Waterfalls: $165
- Amazon River Safari Boat Tour- Full Day Group Tour: $70
- Amazonas: 2, 3, or 4-Day Tour: $220
- City Tour Plus Amazon River Tour: $100
- City Tour in Manaus at Teatro Amazonas and Praça da Matriz: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.79Manaus $2.72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Manaus, we can see that Mombasa is more expensive. And not only is Manaus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa and Manaus 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 Manaus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manaus 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 Mombasa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mombasa than you might in Manaus.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Manaus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Manaus?
Manaus has a larger population, and is about 100% larger than the population of Mombasa. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Manaus, 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 Mombasa or Manaus?
Manaus has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mombasa experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Mombasa or Manaus in the Summer?
Both Manaus and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year.
Mombasa is cooler than Manaus in the summer. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Manaus fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Manaus during summer. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Manaus receives 114 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Manaus. In July, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Manausin January. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 264 mm (10.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMombasa 24°C (75°F)Manaus 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Manaus in the Autumn?
Both Manaus and Mombasa during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Manaus. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mombasa in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Manaus averages at about 28°C (82°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the autumn, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Manausin April. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manaus receives 112 hours of full sun.
Manaus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets less rain in October than Manausin April. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 311 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMombasa 26°C (79°F)Manaus 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Manaus in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Manaus. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round.
In January, Mombasa is generally around the same temperature as Manausin July. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Manaus fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Manaus this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Manaus during winter. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Manaus receives 214 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Manausin July. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 85 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMombasa 27°C (81°F)Manaus 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Manaus in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Manaus. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as Manaus in the spring. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Manaus fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the spring, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Manausin October. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manaus receives 171 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Manaus. Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the spring. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Manausin October. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMombasa 27°C (81°F)Manaus 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manaus and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Manaus | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 264 mm (10.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 311 mm (12.3 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.6 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.