A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Pedro La Laguna vs. Manaus for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Pedro La Laguna or Manaus?

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

Should I visit San Pedro La Laguna or Manaus? 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 Pedro La Laguna or Manaus?

San Pedro La Laguna

Located in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, Lake Atitlan is a beautiful volcanic lake ringed by small towns and villages that are highly frequented by backpackers. Panajachal is one of the best known of the towns, as well as the main entry point of the region, while others like San Pedro La Laguna are quieter and more off the beaten path. Lake Atitlan and its villages attract visitors for its scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and Mayan culture nearby.

Manaus

Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala, The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Manaus or San Pedro La Laguna?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • San Pedro La Laguna Prices
    Guatemala Prices
    Manaus Prices
    Brazil Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    San Pedro La Laguna $45
    Manaus $66

The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro La Laguna is $45, while the average daily cost in Manaus is $66. 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 Pedro La Laguna and Manaus in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Pedro La Laguna $8.34
    Manaus $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Pedro La Laguna $17
    Manaus $82
Compare Hotels in San Pedro La Laguna and Manaus

Looking for a hotel in San Pedro La Laguna or Manaus? 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.

Hotels in San Pedro La Laguna


Hotels in Manaus


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: Manaus Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Pedro La Laguna $13
    Manaus $7.63

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro La Laguna

Also for San Pedro La Laguna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shared Transfer from Panajachel Atitlan to Guatemala City: $47
  • Private transfer from Panajachel to Antigua Guatemala: $65

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus

Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer service from Iberostar (Port) to Manaus Airport: $23
  • Transfer from Manaus Airport to Manaus City: $45
  • Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Eduardo Gomes International Airport: $64
  • Serviço de Transfer Privado 24h Aeroporto - Hotel em Manaus: $25
  • Private Transfer Group 24h Hotel to Airport in Manaus: $112
  • Privado Transfer Aeroporto to Hotel Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge: $171
  • Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $71
  • Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $109
  • Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
  • Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $36
  • Manaus private Airport transfer: $60
  • Manaus Airport(MAO) to Manaus hotels- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $57

Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro La Laguna or Manaus?

Prices for flights to both Manaus and San Pedro La Laguna 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    San Pedro La Laguna $19
    Manaus $21
Typical Food Prices in San Pedro La Laguna

For San Pedro La Laguna, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lemonade
    $2.09
  • Cake
    $1.30
  • Ice cream
    $0.39
  • Hot Cocoa & Banana Bread
    $3.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro La Laguna

For San Pedro La Laguna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Temazcal sauna and dinner, cultural sharing experience: $44
  • Maya Cooking Class from Panajachel: $50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus

For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $42
  • Food Tour: $60

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Pedro La Laguna $22
    Manaus -
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro La Laguna

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro La Laguna's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Canopy Tour (for 2)
    $39
  • Kayaking (for 2)
    $1.96
  • Coffee Tour (for 2)
    $7.04

Tours and Activities in San Pedro La Laguna

For San Pedro La Laguna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Lake Atitlan Boat tour from Puerto Quetzal (Group): $125
  • 5-Hour Private Birdwatching Experience in San Juan La Laguna: $50
  • Authentic local experience with a community of women: $74
  • Authentic tour of Mayan art and culture in Lake Atitlan: $42
  • Beading Class and tour a Non-profit vocational training center a Fun cultural sharing experience: $28
  • Bicycle Tour Around Lake Atitlan with Weaving Coops and Coffee Plantations: $112
  • Boat tour in Mayan villages: $85
  • Chichicastenango Market Day Tour from Panajachel: $96
  • Coffee Tour in Lake Atitlán: $35
  • Full Day Tour to Chichicastenango from Panajachel : $160
  • Half-Day Private Indian Nose Peak Tour from Lake Atitlan: $140
  • Half-Day Scenic Bicycle Tour from Panajachel: $71

Tours and Activities in Manaus

For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Adventure: 4-hour hike in the Amazon rainforest: $150
  • Amazon Experience: Indigenous culture and nature phenomenon: $78
  • Amazon Experience: meet a native village and swim with porpoises: $77
  • Amazon Jungle Experience with Overnight: $300
  • Amazon Jungle: 3- or 4-Day Tour at Ipanema River Guest House: $180
  • Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
  • Amazon Private Safari by Tuhiri Eco Tour - Leaving Manaus: $199
  • Amazon Rainforest Tour, Trails, Jungle, Caves and Waterfalls: $165
  • Amazon River Safari Boat Tour- Full Day Group Tour: $70
  • Amazonas: 2, 3, or 4-Day Tour: $220
  • City Tour Plus Amazon River Tour: $100
  • City Tour in Manaus at Teatro Amazonas and Praça da Matriz: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Pedro La Laguna $5.65
    Manaus $2.72


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Pedro La Laguna and Manaus, we can see that Manaus is more expensive. And not only is San Pedro La Laguna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Pedro La Laguna is in Central America and Manaus is in South 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 San Pedro La Laguna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Pedro La Laguna 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 Manaus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manaus than you might in San Pedro La Laguna.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Pedro La Laguna Expensive? and Is Manaus Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, San Pedro La Laguna or Manaus?

Manaus has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of San Pedro La Laguna. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro La Laguna and Manaus, 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.