Which place is cheaper, Managua or Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Punta del Este or Managua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este 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: Punta del Este or Managua?
Punta del Este
Punta del Este with its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, pricey hotels, ardent night scene and glitzy restaurants is a chic beach resort town in Uruguay. Many tourists come from Brazil and Argentina, on the other side of the Rio de la Plata, to get some nice sun and lay on the beach for a weekend getaway. Punta del Este is more expensive than other areas in Uruguay and has been called the Monaco of South America. Tourist season varies wildly from totally deserted in the winter to very crowded in the summer.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $98Managua $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, 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 Punta del Este and Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55Managua $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110Managua $46
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Managua
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este 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: Punta del Este Hotel Prices and Managua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22Managua $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $85
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $55
- Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Managua-San juan del sur: Airport private transfer: $125
- Private Transfer in Nicaragua: $110
- Transfer From Managua International Airport: $90
- Popoyo Beach Transfer: $90
- Managua-Leon: Airport private transfer from to Managua /Leon: $85
- Rivas: Managua to Rivas Airport private transfer: $75
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $66
- Granada: Managua to Granada Airport private transfer: $64
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
- Managua to Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) - Departure Transfer: $33
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Managua?
Prices for flights to both Managua and Punta del Este 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 dayPunta del Este $31Managua $17
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $11Managua $16
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- Bike Tour Peninsula - Punta del Este: $65
- Colonia Wine Experience for Food & Wine Lovers: $180
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- East Coast of Uruguay – Private Multi Day Tour: $2,600
- From Cabo Polonio - Full Day Private Tour: $1,000
- Full Day Private Shore Tour Montevideo from Punta Del Este Port: $292
- Full Experience Tasting Menu Viña Edén: $157
- Gourmet Food & Wine Experience from Punta del Este: $205
- Guided Tour of Vineyards: $33
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $18
- Half Day Tour in Punta del Este and Jose Ignacio: $170
- La Vista 360 ticket de admisión: $11
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 dayPunta del Este $7.70Managua $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta del Este
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta del Este:
- Wine Tasting: $42
- Half Day Private Canelones Wine Tour from Montevideo : $158
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and Managua, we can see that Punta del Este is more expensive. And not only is Managua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Punta del Este is in South 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 Punta del Este would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este Expensive? and Is Managua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Managua?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este or Managua?
Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este or Managua in the Summer?
Both Managua and Punta del Este are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Managua because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Punta del Este is cooler than Managua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Punta del Este in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Managua averages at about 27°C (81°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Punta del Este. Punta del Este usually receives more sunshine than Managua during summer. Punta del Este gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Managua. In January, Punta del Este usually receives less rain than Managuain July. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 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 January and JulyPunta del Este 23°C (73°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Managua in the Autumn?
Both Managua and Punta del Este during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round.
In April, Punta del Este is generally much colder than Managuain October. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 17°C (63°F), and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Punta del Este often gets less sunshine than Managuain October. Punta del Este gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 195 hours of full sun.
Managua gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Punta del Este usually gets less rain in April than Managuain October. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 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 April and OctoberPunta del Este 17°C (63°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Managua in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and Managua. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Punta del Este is much colder than Managua in the winter. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 10°C (50°F) in July, and Managua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Managua this time of the year. Punta del Este usually receives less sunshine than Managua during winter. Punta del Este gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Managuain January. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 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 July and JanuaryPunta del Este 10°C (50°F)Managua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Managua in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as Managua. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year.
In the spring, Punta del Este is much colder than Managua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Punta del Este in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Managua averages at about 29°C (84°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Managua. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Punta del Este this time of the year. In the spring, Punta del Este often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Managuain April. Punta del Este gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 242 hours of full sun.
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in October than Managuain April. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 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 October and AprilPunta del Este 16°C (61°F)Managua 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Managua and Punta del Este
| Punta del Este | Managua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 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.