Which place is cheaper, Managua or Oaxaca de Juarez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Managua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Managua? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Oaxaca de Juarez or Managua?
Oaxaca de Juarez
Officially known as Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca is the capital and largest city in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It's a beautiful colonial city in the foothills of the Sierra Madre. The city has beautiful architecture and a variety of festivals as well as a tree lined square called El Zocalo. Oaxaca's economy is heavily dependent on tourism and it is a wonderful place to see Mexican art and handicrafts. There are many artists and artisans in Oaxaca and the contemporary art scene is on the rise. The artists combine the area's rich indigenous culture and tradition with a modern twist. While you're in the area you should definitely make a point of experiencing the area's wonderful museums, interesting architecture, charming hotels and unique twist on Mexican cuisine.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.
-
Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
Mexico PricesManagua Prices
Nicaragua Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOaxaca de Juarez $52Managua $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $52, while the average daily cost in Managua is $67. 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 Oaxaca de Juarez and Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOaxaca de Juarez $18Managua $23
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOaxaca de Juarez $36Managua $46
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Managua
Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez 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: Oaxaca de Juarez Hotel Prices and Managua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Managua $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also for Oaxaca de Juarez, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Oaxaca: Private Transfer to Huatulco: $465
- From Oaxaca: Transfer to Puerto Escondido: $436
- Private Transfer Oaxaca Airport Arrivals and Departures: $139
- Discover Puerto Escondido One Day Trip Shuttle Coastal Transfer: $132
- Transfer to Salina Cruz Surf Camps from Huatulco International Airport (HUX): $120
- Xoxocotlan Airport: Private Transfer to Oaxaca City: $88
- Private Transfer Oaxaca Airport to Hotel or Airbnb 24/7: $75
- Private Transfer from the Airport to your Hotel in Oaxaca: $67
- Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Round-Trip Transfer: $57
- Private Luxury Transfer from the Oaxaca Airport to your Hotel: $56
- Private transfer from Oaxaca Airport to Oaxaca City: $56
- Private transfer from Oaxaca Airport to the hotel.: $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One way private Transfer Managua Airport- San Juan del Sur: $135
- Nicaragua Private Transfer Service Managua and San Juan del Sur: $100
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $61
- From One way shared transfer to San Jorge: $59
- One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $57
- San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Managua: $57
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- Private transfers from and to Managua international airport: $47
- Granada: One way shared transfer to Managua: $39
- One way shared transfer to Leon: $39
- From One way shared transfer to Granada: $39
- From Leon: One way shared transfer to Managua: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Managua?
Prices for flights to both Managua and Oaxaca de Juarez 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 dayOaxaca de Juarez $23Managua $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oaxaca de Juarez
For Oaxaca de Juarez, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Taste Tequila and Mezcal and enjoy a Traditional Dinner: $17
- Oaxaca: Walking Traditional Food Tour with Ancestral Drinks: $26
- Night Walk of Urban Legends ghosts and Dinner in Oaxaca: $42
- Food Tour at the 20 de Noviembre Market (All Inclusive): $52
- Oaxaca: Guided Food Tour with Local Chef and food experts: $54
- Legends and Ghosts Sightseeing Tour in Downtown Oaxaca with Dinner: $55
- FOOD TOUR IN THE ABASTOS MARKET: $61
- Oaxaca Hidden Street Food Tour Led by Local food experts: $64
- Oaxaca: Evening Street Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $66
- Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $66
- Oaxaca Streets Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
- Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Managua $16
Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.
- “Las Nieves” Monte Albán, Arrazola, Cuilapam 6h Bike Tour: $128
- 2 Days Sierra Norte Cloud Forest Adventure: $231
- 5 Hours Guided Day of The Dead Evening Walking Tour in Oaxaca: $109
- 8-Hour Monte Albán Tour from Oaxaca: $51
- Adventure in the Sierra Norte: El Tule, Teotitlan and Benito Juárez: $67
- Amazing Waterfall Adventure in the Sierra Madre Mountains: $80
- Amazing experience in the mountain of San Jose del Pacifico: $200
- Among Flowers and Candles: A Tour of Oaxaca's Cemeteries: $86
- An adventure for the senses: Mezcal, fields and crafts.: $78
- Art Workshops and Chocolate Shops Tour: $56
- Art Workshops and Chocolate Shops Tour in Oaxaca: $58
- Artisanal Mezcal Experience in Oaxaca: From agave to glass: $95
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
- 2 full days tour Granada + Lava+Leon area: $210
- 3 full days tour at Granada +Masaya Lava tour+Managua and Leon: $210
- Amazing Masaya Volcano at Night "Private Tour": $88
- Apoyo Lagoon + Lava tour: $60
- Apoyo Lagoon, Masaya Crafts Market & Masaya Volcano Lava Tour: $101
- Best of Granada, Mirador de Catarina and Masaya Volcano Tour: $121
- Cerro Negro Sand Boarding and León City Tour from Managua: $160
- Cerro Negro Volcano and Leon City VIP experience: $165
- Complete Tour of Granada and Masaya: History, Beauty & Tradition: $115
- Discover History, Culture & Hidden Gems Tour: $60
- Discover the Best of Managua on a Private City Tour: $60
- Granada Highlights, Catarina Viewpoint & Masaya Lava Tour: $120
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $14Managua $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oaxaca de Juarez:
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl: $18
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl with Shots and Party Games: $19
- Puerto Escondido Pub Crawl: $20
- Oaxaca: Sustainable Mezcal Tour at an Award-Winning Family Distillery: $24
- Breakfast in Tlacolula; Ancestral and industrial mezcal distillery: $55
- Hierve el Agua, Mitla, El Tule Tree, Rugs, Mezcal Distillery Tour: $58
- Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $60
- Hierve el Agua and Distillery of Mezcal Tour: $65
- Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua & Mezcal Distillery Small-Group Tour: $70
- Personalized Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $100
- Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $134
- Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $134
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Managua, we can see that Managua is more expensive. And not only is Oaxaca de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oaxaca de Juarez 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 Oaxaca de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oaxaca de Juarez 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 Managua would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Managua than you might in Oaxaca de Juarez.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Oaxaca de Juarez Expensive? and Is Managua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Managua?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Oaxaca de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez 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.
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.