Which place is cheaper, Managua or Saint John's?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint John's or Managua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's 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: Saint John's or Managua?
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
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 daySaint John's $222Managua $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $222, 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 Saint John's and Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120Managua $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240Managua $46
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Managua
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's 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: Managua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17Managua $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- Antigua&BarbudaV.C.Bird Airport(ANU)to island hotels-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $253
- Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
- Airport Transfers to Antigua Hotels/Resorts: $170
- Private Transfers and Tours in Saint John's Antigua and Barbuda: $160
- 3-Hours Stingray City - Transfer, Spanish-Italian Guide Included: $155
- 3-Hours Stingray City - Transfer, German & English Guide Included: $155
- Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $154
- 3-Hours Snorkeling Activity in Stingray City - Transfer Included: $128
- Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax. Zone C: Hotels: $120
- Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $112
- Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from and To Poneloya or Las Peñitas Beach- Leon, Nicaragua: $68
- Granada: Managua to Granada Airport private transfer: $64
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $65
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Managua to Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) - Departure Transfer: $33
- Managua-Leon: Airport private transfer from to Managua /Leon: $85
- Managua-San juan del sur: Airport private transfer: $125
- Airport private transfer from Managua.: $25
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- Popoyo Beach Transfer: $90
- Private Transfer in Nicaragua: $110
- Rivas: Managua to Rivas Airport private transfer: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Managua?
Prices for flights to both Managua and Saint John's 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 daySaint John's $68Managua $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- 1-Course Vegan Cooking Class w Beautiful Ambience.: $99
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103Managua $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Hours Stingray City Experience in Antigua: $73
- 6-Hours Guided Stingray Tour in the East Coast of Antigua: $161
- Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $125
- Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $190
- Animal Lovers Dream Tour: Stingray/Snorkeling Tours are Available: $128
- Antigua Historic Fort & Beach Tour on Segway From St. John's: $125
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
- Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $150
- Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
- Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise From St. John's: $135
- Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
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 daySaint John's $18Managua $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Managua, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Managua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands 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 Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's 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 Saint John's Expensive? and Is Managua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Managua?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's 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 Saint John's or Managua?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Saint John's or Managua in the Summer?
Both Managua and Saint John's during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round.
Managua gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Managua. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Managua receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. In the summer, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Managua. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 175 hours of full sun.
In July, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as Managua. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (81°F), and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or Managua in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Managua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Managua receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Managua. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Managua receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Managua during autumn. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Saint John's is around the same temperature as Managua in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or Managua in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Managua. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year.
Saint John's usually gets more rain in January than Managua. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Managua receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Managua. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the winter, Saint John's often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Managua. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 244 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Saint John's is around the same temperature as Managua. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John's in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Managua averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)Managua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or Managua in the Spring?
Both Managua and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Managua because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In April, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Managua. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Managua receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Managua. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Managua during spring. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint John's is generally cooler than Managua. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 26°C (78°F), and Managua fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)Managua 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Managua and Saint John's
| Saint John's | Managua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.