A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nairobi vs. Roatan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nairobi or Roatan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nairobi and Roatan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Nairobi or Roatan?

Nairobi

Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.

Roatan

Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.


Which place is cheaper, Roatan or Nairobi?

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 Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $42. 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 Nairobi and Roatan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Roatan $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Roatan $20
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Roatan

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Roatan? 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 Nairobi


Hotels in Roatan


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: Nairobi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Roatan $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Airport Transfer and Service in Nairobi: $20
  • Private Airport Transfer in Nairobi Kenya: $20
  • Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
  • Airport transfer; NBO to nairobi hotels: $27
  • Private One-Way Transfer from Nairobi: $27
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
  • Safe Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $30
  • Nairobi Airport One Way Transfers: $30
  • From Wilson Airport: Nairobi private transfer in a car (3 pax): $30
  • Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
  • Airport Transfers: $40
  • Nairobi Airport Transfers to Wilson Airport and Hotels: $40

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:


  • Water Taxi
    $3.92

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:

  • West Bay Beach Day Pass & Private Transfer – Roatán: $89
  • Transfers to West End by night from hotels in West Bay or Sandy Bay: $25
  • Scuba Dive in the West End of Roatan with Private Transfer: $155
  • Roatan Zipline, Monkey, Macaws & Sloths Eco Park, Snorkeling, Transfer: $128
  • Roatan Private Transfers: Airport, Cruise Port or Hotel: $110
  • Roatan Island hotels to Mahogany Bay Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $61
  • Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $152
  • Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
  • King Kong Extreme Zipline, City Tour and Transfer: $130
  • Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan -Round-Trip Transfer: $112
  • Discover Scuba Diving in Roatan at Upachaya with Private Transfer: $150
  • Catch a ride to West End & back to Port, Hotel or Airport (Roundtrip Transfer): $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Roatan?

Prices for flights to both Roatan and Nairobi 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
    Nairobi $13
    Roatan $15
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner for Two
    $5.02

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Karibu Kitchens Nairobi Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
  • Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
  • Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
  • Nairobi Nightlife and Safari Park Hotel Dinner Experience: $90
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $98
  • Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
  • Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
  • Authentic home dinner with a local Family in Nairobi: $108
  • The Carnivore Restaurant Experience in Lunch or Dinner: $116
  • Nairobi Nightlife and Safari Park Hotel Dinner Experience: $120
  • Nairobi Nightlife and Safari Park Hotel Dinner Experience: $125

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan

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

  • Cooking classes from a Local!: $245

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Roatan $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Village Visit
    $15

Tours and Activities in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Tour in Kibera the Largest Slum: $15
  • Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
  • Nairobi City Tour and Pickup: $20
  • Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
  • Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
  • Nairobi History and Modern Culture Walking Tour: $22
  • Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
  • Cultural Discovery Tour of Unfiltered Mathare: $23
  • Memorable Daily KIBERA Slums/Toi Market Tour with Locals (2 hours): $25
  • Giraffe Center Karen Blixen and Kobe Beads Day Tour: $25
  • Experience Nairobi Night Life Partying in the City and Beyond: $25
  • Nairobi City Tour: $25

Tours and Activities in Roatan

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

  • 4 Hours Private Tour with Snorkel Experience in Roatan: $50
  • 4 Hours Private Tour with Snorkeling and West Bay Beach Break: $80
  • ATV & community adventure, Mangrove tour, food tasting and Beach: $139
  • ATV Safari and Horseback Adventure at Mahogany Bay: $99
  • ATVS, Sloths and Monkeys, Beach Break Private Tour: $130
  • Adventures of Roatan ATV Pineapple beach break: $120
  • Beer and Food Tasting Experience at Roatan Island Brewing Company: $100
  • Catamaran Cruise, Open Bar, Food and Snorkeling: $165
  • Cruise Travelers West Bay Beach Break with Island Tour in Roatan: $50
  • Custom Private Roatan Shuttle Tour: Explore at Your Own Pace: $30
  • Custom Roatan Cruise Excursion and Island Tour: $55
  • Customizable Best Of Roatan Island Tour in Honduras: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Roatan $6.50

Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:

  • Half-Day Tour in Roatan With Brewery, Rum and Chocolate Factories visit: $46
  • Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Roatan, we can see that Nairobi is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nairobi is in Africa and Roatan 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 Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Nairobi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nairobi than you might in Roatan.

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


Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Roatan?

Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 370 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Roatan, 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.