Should you visit Roatan or Managua?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Roatan and Managua. We’ll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget. So, let's dig into it.
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.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Managua or Roatan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Roatan is $31, while the average daily cost in Managua is $45. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Roatan and Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $18 for a double occupancy room in Roatan.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $36 in Managua For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
Food in Roatan costs travelers about $7.72 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
In Managua travelers spend around $15 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Roatan $7.72
Managua $15
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Roatan is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $15 per person, per day, on local transportation in Roatan.
To get around in Managua, the average visitor spends $16 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
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bus & Taxi Uber Roatan transfer to the beach customize your tour:
$26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Airport Transfer: Augusto C Sandino Int. Airport (MGA) to Managua:
$13
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Private Airport Transfer: from Managua to Augusto C Sandino Int. Airport (MGA):
$13
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Private Transfer From Managua International Airport:
$17
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Granada Transfer:
$44
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San Jorge Rivas Transfer:
$47
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Transfer Managua to Granada:
$52
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San Juan Del Sur Transfer:
$56
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Las Peñitas or Poneloya beach Transfer:
$67
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Private Transfer from and To Poneloya or Las Peñitas Beach- Leon, Nicaragua:
$68
-
One-Way Private Transfer from Managua to Granada:
$83
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Popoyo Beach Transfer:
$90
-
Private Transfer in Nicaragua:
$110
Is it cheaper to fly into Roatan or Managua?
Prices for flights to both Managua and Roatan 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Roatan typically cost an average of $22 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
In Managua, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $13 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
-
2 Hour Zip Lining Private Tour in Mahogany Bay:
$65
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4-Hour East Side Roatan Private Guided Tour with Canoe Ride:
$85
-
AJ's Monkey/Sloth Family Experience, City Tour and Chocolate Tasting:
$55
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ATV East & West End Tour:
$107
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Cruise Ship Multiple Snorkeling, Snacks, Music & Private Vehicle:
$85
-
Do It Your Way Roatán Free Style Tour.:
$32
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Garifuna Village plus Daniel Johnson Monkey and Sloth and Mangrove Tunnel Tour.:
$82
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Good Samaritan Tour:
$51
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Island tour in Roatan:
$49
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Island tour sightseeing +sanctuary and beach:
$60
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Mangrove tunnel and Garifuna culture tour:
$90
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Mayan Jungle Canopy & Zip-line Tour, Monkey Business & West Bay Beach!:
$127
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
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Masaya Volcano Night Tour:
$34
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Masaya Volcano National Park Evening Tour, with hotel pickup:
$34
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Nicaragua Private Guide and Transportation Service: Customized Tours:
$47
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Masaya Volcano Night Tour from Granada:
$48
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Coffee Tour:
$49
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Amazing Masaya Volcano at Night "Private Tour":
$54
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Granada+Apoyo Lagoon +handicraft market+ Masaya volcano night tour:
$55
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Laguna de apoyo day pass + masaya volcano lava tour:
$60
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Laguna de Apoyo Day pass plus Masaya Volcano Night Tour:
$60
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Managua City Tour:
$65
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Granada Isletas +Colonial City tour:
$68
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Granada Isletas and City tour:
$68
Alcohol
The average person spends about $5.79 on alcoholic beverages in Roatan per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Managua, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $9.28.
Sample the Local Flavors in Managua
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Managua:
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Private Flor de Caña Rum Distillery and León City:
$165
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Roatan and Managua, we can see that Managua is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 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 Roatan.
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