Is Nicaragua Expensive?

Is Nicaragua expensive to visit?

Nicaragua is not only a popular destination, but it is also fairly affordable. Compared to the rest of Central America, it is a reasonably affordable country to visit. It's ranked in the top 25% of countries in Central America for its affordability, and is comparable to destinations such as Guatemala and Honduras.

Nicaragua has a handful of popular destinations that attract visitors. One of the most expensive places to visit is Leon. For more affordability, you can see Isla de Ometepe.


Average daily price of selected cities in Nicaragua, by affordability
City Average Daily Cost
Leon $59
San Juan del Sur $53
Granada $40
Isla de Ometepe $35


Granada, Nicaragua

How expensive is Nicaragua?

On average, visitors spend about $54 per day during their visit to Nicaragua (U.S. Dollars). Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Nicaragua here.

How expensive is a one week trip to Nicaragua?

A one week trip to Nicaragua costs about $377 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $753.

How expensive is a two week trip to Nicaragua?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a two week trip to Nicaragua costs around $753 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $1,506.

How expensive is a month long trip to Nicaragua?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one month trip to Nicaragua will cost around $1,614 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one month trip would cost $3,228.



The market of Granada, Nicaragua

Is it expensive to backpack in Nicaragua?

Nicaragua is a popular backpacker destination with more than 70 hostels around the country. Hostels cost, on average, $12 per night for a dorm. (See hostel prices in Nicaragua here.) In particular, many backpackers head to San Juan del Sur and Granada. You'll find the most expensive hostels in San Juan del Sur, which average $14 a night. The cheapest hostels are in Leon which average $9 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Nicaragua.

  • $15 for a dorm bed at Hola Ola Hostel in San Juan Del Sur
  • $10 for a dorm bed at Hostel Oasis Granada in Granada
  • $9 for a dorm bed at Poco a Poco Hostel in Leon

Where to find affordable hostels in Nicaragua
City Number of Hostels Average Price for a Dorm
San Juan del Sur 22 $14
Granada 16 $11
Leon 16 $9
Managua 6 $13

Are hotels expensive in Nicaragua?

From our analysis of hotel prices in Nicaragua, we can see that they are slightly lower in cost compared to other countries. The average rate for a room is approximately $76 per night. Keep in mind that pricing can vary across cities in the country, with places like San Juan del Sur commanding a higher average of $102 per night. Conversely, there are more economical options like Isla de Ometepe, where hotel prices average around $15 per night.


Where to find affordable hotels in Nicaragua
City Average Hotel Price
San Juan del Sur $102
Granada $83
Managua $68
Isla de Ometepe $15

Km 9.5 Carretera Norte, Managua
Overall Rating 9.0
Bahia Nacascolo, San Juan del Sur
Overall Rating 8.9


Leon, Nicaragua

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Nicaragua?

In Nicaragua, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $12 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.

    • Paddle Boarding and Meditation Wellness Experience in Las Isletas: $39
    • Ometepe trekking - Volcano Concepcion By Happy Tours: $35
    • Private Kayaking Experience in Ometepe: $33
    • Private Day Tour Exploring Masaya and Granada in Nicaragua: $120
    • Masaya volcano Night Tour: $110
    • Boat Tour and Granada City Tour: $120
    • ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA: $130
    • Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Maderas, San Juan del Sur also in Costa Rica: $90

    Is food expensive in Nicaragua?

    In Nicaragua, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $15 per day on food, per person.

    • Tlakualli Food Tour: $19


    San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

    Is transportation expensive in Nicaragua?

    Local transportation in Nicaragua can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $10 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

    Expenses for intercity transportation within Nicaragua can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $27 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.

    More for Nicaragua

    If you're planning a trip to Nicaragua, check out these other informative travel guides.



    We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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