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 $51Managua $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $51, 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:
- Visit Puerto Escondido: Private Transfer from Oaxaca: $588
- From Oaxaca: Private Transfer to Huatulco: $436
- From Oaxaca: Transfer to Puerto Escondido: $408
- Private Transfer from the Airport to your Hotel/house .: $89
- Xoxocotlan Airport: Private Transfer to Oaxaca City: $82
- Private Luxury Transfer from the Oaxaca Airport to your Hotel: $75
- Oaxaca: Santiago Apoala Waterfall Day Trip with Transfers: $71
- Private Transfer from the Airport to your Hotel in Oaxaca : $67
- Private and safe transfer from the airport to the hotel in Oaxaca: $60
- Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Round-Trip Transfer: $60
- Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $60
- Shared Departure Transfer: Hotels to Oaxaca Airport: $46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $127
- Managua-San juan del sur: Airport private transfer: $125
- Nicaragua Private Transfer Service Managua and San Juan del Sur: $100
- Transfer From Managua International Airport: $90
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $63
- 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
- San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
- Granada: One way shared transfer to Managua: $39
- One way shared transfer to Leon: $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 $22Managua $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:
- Private Oaxaca Street Food Tour - Best Rated : $35
- Central Oaxaca Food Tour: $55
- Food Tour at the Mercado de Abastos: $57
- Tradicional Oaxacan Dinner on Agronomic Biodiversity_01: $60
- Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $65
- Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $66
- Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu &Local Market Tour: $70
- Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour: $75
- Secret Food Tour: Oaxaca de Juárez: $75
- Oaxaca Central de Abastos Market Food Tour : $78
- Oaxaca: 10 Mexican Salsas Cooking Class with Taco Tasting: $80
- 10 Mexican salsas, enjoy cooking and tasting them in Oaxaca: $80
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.
- Shared Santa Maria Del Tule Bike Tour: $45
- “Las Nieves” Monte Albán, Arrazola, Cuilapam 6h Bike Tour: $120
- 3 Hour Oaxaca Private Tour, 100% customisable - Best Rated : $45
- 5 Hours Guided Day of The Dead Evening Walking Tour in Oaxaca: $109
- 7 Hrs Guided Day of the Dead Crafts & Gastronomy Tour from Oaxaca: $199
- Agave Adventures Mexico: $94
- Amazing Hierve el Agua Private Tour: $287
- Amazing Monte Alban and City tour Private Tour: $200
- Ancestral Mezcal Experience + ceramics + Alebrijes + Market: $199
- Ancestral Mezcal Tour Experience A pre Hispanic Heritage: $65
- Apoala Magic Waterfalls Hike and Swim Adventure: $123
- Archaeological sites Tour and Red Pottery in Tlacolula : $170
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
- Granada + Boat ride+Handicraft Market+Catarina+ Lava tour: $120
- Granada lake +Colonial City + Lava tour Masaya volcano: $60
- 3 full day tour at Granada, Lava tour and Leon : $210
- Amazing Masaya Volcano at Night "Private Tour" : $88
- Apoyo Lagoon + Lava tour: $48
- Between Volcanoes Tours; Granada-Masaya.: $155
- Complete Tour of Granada and Masaya: History, Beauty & Tradition: $115
- Discover the Best of Managua on a Private City Tour: $60
- Granada Isletas and City tour: $68
- Managua Capital City Private Tour: $90
- Managua City Tour: $98
- Managua City Tour: $84
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $13Managua $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oaxaca de Juarez:
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl: $17
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl with Mezcal Shots and Live Music: $18
- Check out Hierve el Agua, Mitla, the Tule Tree, Rugs, and a Mezcal Distillery Tour: $49
- Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $50
- From Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $54
- Only Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery tour: $55
- Only Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $55
- Personalized Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $101
- Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $125
- Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $134
- Artisanal Mezcal distillery in an authentic Zapotec village : $150
- Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua, Mezcal Distillery, and Lunch Tour: $272
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.