Which place is cheaper, Managua or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or Managua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Managua can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tulum or Managua?
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122Managua $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, 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 Tulum and Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Managua $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Managua $46
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Managua
Looking for a hotel in Tulum 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: Tulum Hotel Prices and Managua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Managua $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $254
- Transfer from Tulum airport to Bacalar: $233
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $210
- Private Transfer From Cancun Airport - Tulum: $208
- Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Akumal, Tulum: $191
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $182
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
- One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $160
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport private transfer from Managua.: $25
- Managua to Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) - Departure Transfer: $33
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $33
- San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- Granada: Managua to Granada Airport private transfer: $64
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $66
- Rivas: Managua to Rivas Airport private transfer: $75
- Managua-Leon: Airport private transfer from to Managua /Leon: $85
- Transfer From Managua International Airport: $90
- Popoyo Beach Transfer: $90
- Private Transfer in Nicaragua: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Managua?
Prices for flights to both Managua and Tulum 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 dayTulum $34Managua $17
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32Managua $16
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Private Tour - The best Cenotes in Yucatan - Suytun & Oxman: $195
- Romantic tour in Tulum: $169
- 4-Hour Cenotes Tour with Hotel Pickup in Riviera Maya: $109
- 5 Hours Mayan Snorkeling Experience in Tulum: $90
- 5x1 Deluxe Tour Tulum, Coba, Cenote Transportation from Tulum: $88
- 5x1: Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Mayan Village Full Day Tour: $99
- ATV Cenote and Zipline Adventure from Tulum: $119
- ATV Extreme Adventure Single with Ziplines and Cenote Swim: $137
- ATV Jungle Adventure with Ziplines, Cenote & Tulum Pickup: $75
- ATV Tour with Ziplines and Cenote Swim Experience in Quintana Roo: $59
- Adventure Tulum: $105
- Adventure in the Mayan Jungle with ATV and Zip Line in Tulum: $90
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 dayTulum $25Managua $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Managua, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Managua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum 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 Tulum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tulum 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 Tulum Expensive? and Is Managua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Managua?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum 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 Tulum or Managua?
Tulum 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 Tulum or Managua in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Managua. Many visitors come to Tulum in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year.
Tulum is around the same temperature as Managua in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the summer, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Managua. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 175 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Managua. Tulum receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tulum usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Managua. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Managua receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTulum 28°C (83°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Managua in the Autumn?
Both Managua and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Managua because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Tulum is around the same temperature as Managua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Managua averages at about 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Managua during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Managua. It's quite rainy in Tulum. In October, Tulum usually receives less rain than Managua. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Managua receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Managua in the Winter?
Both Managua and Tulum during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Tulum because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round.
In January, Tulum is generally cooler than Managua. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and Managua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In Managua, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the winter, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Managua. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 244 hours of full sun.
Tulum usually gets more rain in January than Managua. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Managua receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTulum 23°C (74°F)Managua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Managua in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Managua. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Tulum is around the same temperature as Managua in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Managua fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Managua this time of the year. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Managua during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Tulum usually receives more rain than Managua. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Managua receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Managua 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Managua and Tulum
| Tulum | Managua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.