Which place is cheaper, Managua or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Managua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga 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: Riga or Managua?
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
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 Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €104Managua €51
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Managua is €51. 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 Riga and Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Managua €21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Managua €42
Compare Hotels in Riga and Managua
Looking for a hotel in Riga 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: Riga Hotel Prices and Managua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Managua €18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Riga - Tallin: Transfer and Tour through beautiful landmarks: $490
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $462
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $429
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn: $344
- Transfer from Riga International Airport to Downtown: $269
- From Transfer to Tallinn with Turaida Museum Reserve: $231
- From Vilnius: One-Way Private Transfer to Riga: $183
- From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $151
- Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $139
- Riga Gun Experience: Roundtrip Transfer and 4 Firearms: $132
- Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $108
- Private transfer Riga - Hill of Crosses - Riga: $104
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport private transfer from Managua.: $25
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Managua to Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) - Departure Transfer: $33
- San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- Granada: Managua to Granada Airport private transfer: $64
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $66
- Transfer from and To Poneloya or Las Peñitas Beach- Leon, Nicaragua: $68
- Private Transfer from Managua Augusto Airport to Corinto Port: $71
- Private Transfer from Managua City Hotels to Corinto Cruise Port: $71
- Rivas: Managua to Rivas Airport private transfer: $75
- Managua-Leon: Airport private transfer from to Managua /Leon: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Managua?
Prices for flights to both Managua and Riga 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 dayRiga €33Managua €16
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch€5.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $42
- Unique Food Tour: $52
- Medieval Guided Tour & Three-Course Dinner Experience: $97
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $114
- Private Cooking Master Class In The Latvian Family : $131
- Taste Market Tour & Cooking Masterclass: $139
- Cooking Experience with Chef: Learn & Dine: $140
- Latvian Food: Cooking Masterclass with a Chef: $153
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €21Managua €15
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- The best of Bauska walking tour: $75
- 1 Day Riga Sightseeing Red Bus Grand Tour: $27
- 2 Day Gastronomy Tour In Latgale : $241
- 2.5-Hour Riga Cruiser Bike Tour: $41
- 5 Hour Shared Tour to Hill of Crosses from Riga: $82
- ATV Quad Off Road or City Tour in Riga: $142
- Art Nouveau Walking Tour in Riga: $65
- Baltic Treasures Tour: Hill of Crosses, Rundale & Bauska: $153
- Beer Bike Experience : $36
- Best of Riga Walking Tour: $182
- Best of Riga Walking Tour - Highlights and Hidden Gems: $66
- City:canal:tour: $22
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
- Private lava tour-Masaya Volcano from Managua: $49
- Masaya Volcano Night Tour: $53
- Laguna de Apoyo Day pass plus Masaya Volcano Night Tour: $60
- Granada Isletas and City tour: $68
- PRIVATE Laguna de apoyo day pass + masaya volcano lava tour: $70
- PRIVATE Boat ride + Colonial city tour at Granada+Catarina lookout: $80
- PRIVATE Day trip Granada Isletas +Colonial City tour from Managua: $80
- Managua City Tour: $84
- PRIVATE Boat tour + Granada City +Masaya Volcano Night Tour : $85
- full tour Somoto Canyon Nicaragua: $86
- PRIVATE Boat tour+Granada City and Catarina lookout from Managua: $88
- Managua City Tour: $88
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Managua €10
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $25
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $33
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $37
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $38
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $54
- Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $55
- Latvian Wine Tasting & Monk Show: $75
- Old Town Sightseeing & Latvian Wine Tasting with Show: $97
- Riga Wine Tasting Session: $103
- Riga Pub Crawl & Party Bus Tour: $526
- Yacht Tour with Medieval Banquet and Wine Tasting: $3,341
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Managua, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Managua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga is in Europe 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 Riga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Riga 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 Riga Expensive? and Is Managua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Managua?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Riga. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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 Riga or Managua?
Riga 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 Riga or Managua in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Riga as well as Managua. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Riga this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year.
In July, Riga is generally much colder than Managua. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in Managua. Riga usually gets less rain in July than Managua. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Managua receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Riga or Managua in the Autumn?
Both Managua and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Riga for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Managua because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Riga is much colder than Managua in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Managua. In October, Riga usually receives less rain than Managua. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Managua receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Riga or Managua in the Winter?
Both Managua and Riga during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Riga in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round.
Riga can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Riga is much colder than Managua. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Managua averages at about 26°C (79°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in January than Managua. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Managua receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Managua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Riga or Managua in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Managua. Most visitors come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Riga is generally much colder than Managua. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Managua fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
In April, Riga usually receives more rain than Managua. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Managua receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Managua 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Managua and Riga
| Riga | Managua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.