Which place is cheaper, Managua or San Cristobal de Las Casas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Managua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Cristobal de Las Casas 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: San Cristobal de Las Casas or Managua?
San Cristobal de Las Casas
Far away from the luxuries of Cancun and Cabo, Mexico's San Cristobal de las Casas is a stunning colonial city located in the southern state of Chiapas. Due to its strategic location, the town is commonly used as a transfer point for travelers looking to cross the border between Guatemala and Mexico. San Cristobal also has an immensely strong appeal among budget-minded travelers as it's one of Mexico's most affordable cities.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.
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San Cristobal de Las Casas Prices
Mexico PricesManagua Prices
Nicaragua Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $113Managua $68
The average daily cost (per person) in San Cristobal de Las Casas is $113, while the average daily cost in Managua is $68. 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas and Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Cristobal de Las Casas $45Managua $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Cristobal de Las Casas $90Managua $46
Compare Hotels in San Cristobal de Las Casas and Managua
Looking for a hotel in San Cristobal de Las Casas 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: San Cristobal de Las Casas Hotel Prices and Managua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Cristobal de Las Casas $31Managua $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Cristobal de Las Casas
Also for San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas to TGZ Airport: $103
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer, Transportation, Shuttle and Tours: $30
- Transfer From Managua International Airport: $35
- San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Managua: $57
- Private Transfer: Managua Airport (MGA) to Hotels: $40
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- One way private Transfer Managua Airport- San Juan del Sur: $135
- One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $57
- One way shared transfer to Leon: $39
- Managua-San juan del sur: Airport private transfer: $125
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $63
- Granada: One way shared transfer to Managua: $39
- From One way shared transfer to San Jorge: $59
Is it cheaper to fly into San Cristobal de Las Casas or Managua?
Prices for flights to both Managua and San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $39Managua $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Cristobal de Las Casas $14Managua $16
Tours and Activities in San Cristobal de Las Casas
For San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure to the Sumidero Canyon Viewpoints and Chiapa de Corzo: $54
- Bike Tour Chiapas Indigenous Peoples: $62
- Blue Water Misol-ha and Palenque Tour from San Cristobal.: $80
- Canyoning El Chorreadero Cave- Adventure Chiapas: $166
- Experiences Xanil Culture and Nature: $112
- Food Walking Tour San Cristobal de las Casas: $76
- From San Cristobal Tour to Agua Azul, Misol Ha and Palenque: $90
- Full Day Tour of Montebello Lakes and El Chiflon Waterfall: $60
- Full-Day Sumidero Canyon Tour with Boat Cruise from San Cristóbal de las Casas: $84
- Indigenous Communities Tour of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán: $46
- Palenque Archaelogical Site, Agua Azul and Misolha Waterfalls Combo Tour: $105
- Private Tour in San Cristobal de las Casas: $54
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
- 2 full days tour Granada + Lava+Leon area: $210
- 3 full days tour at Granada +Masaya Lava tour+Managua and Leon: $189
- Amazing Masaya Volcano at Night "Private Tour": $88
- Apoyo Lagoon + Lava tour: $60
- Apoyo Lagoon, Masaya Crafts Market & Masaya Volcano Lava Tour: $100
- Best of Granada, Mirador de Catarina and Masaya Volcano Tour: $121
- Between Volcanoes Tours; Granada-Masaya.: $125
- Cerro Negro volcano, VIP experiences "Individual and Group"!!!: $205
- Complete Tour of Granada and Masaya: History, Beauty & Tradition: $115
- Discover the Best of Managua on a Private City Tour: $60
- Granada Isletas and City tour: $68
- Granada lake +Colonial City + Lava tour Masaya volcano: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $29Managua $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Cristobal de Las Casas and Managua, we can see that San Cristobal de Las Casas is more expensive. And not only is Managua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Cristobal de Las Casas is in North 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas Expensive? and Is Managua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Cristobal de Las Casas or Managua?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of San Cristobal de Las Casas. When comparing the sizes of San Cristobal de Las Casas 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.
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.