A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Petersburg vs. Managua for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Managua?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Saint Petersburg 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 Petersburg or Managua?

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a beautiful city that sits on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea. Its historical city center is threaded with canals and architecturally impressive buildings, leaving little doubt as to why this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the second largest city in Russia, but perhaps a favorite among travelers. The metropolitan area has a population of over 5 million as well as an impressive culture with fascinating museums, restaurants, and architecture. The city has no shortage of sights and attractions, and many days can be passed while you wander its intricate streets.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Managua, we can see that Saint Petersburg is more expensive. And not only is Managua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Petersburg 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 Petersburg Expensive? and Is Managua Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Managua?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Managua. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg 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 Petersburg or Managua?

Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg or Managua in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Managua. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Managua. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Managua during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.

Managua receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Managua. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Managua receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Managua in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Managua. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year.

Saint Petersburg is much colder than Managua in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Managua. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 195 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Managua. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Managua. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Managua receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Managua in the Winter?

Both Managua and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Managua because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Managua. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Managua averages at about 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Managua. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Managua during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Managua. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Managua receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Managua in the Spring?

Both Managua and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round.

Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Managua. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Managua fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

In Managua, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Managua. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 242 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in April than Managua. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Managua receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Managua and Saint Petersburg