How much does it cost to travel to Managua?
You should plan to spend around $55 (C$2,007) per day on your vacation in Managua. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $17 (C$637) on meals
- $20 (C$722) on local transportation
- $46 (C$1,677) on hotels
A one week trip to Managua for two people costs, on average, $765 (C$28,104). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Managua has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Managua expensive to visit?
Managua is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Nicaragua, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 25% of cities in the country for its overall travel expenses. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within Central America, Managua is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Central America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as David, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Puerto Viejo.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Managua Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Managua?
The average Managua trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Managua travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
C$1,677
($46)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
C$722
($20)
|
|
Food 2
|
C$637
($17)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
C$586
($16)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
C$1 -
2
($0 - 0)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
C$204 -
611
($6 - 17)
|
Accommodation Budget in Managua
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Managua is $23 (C$839). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Managua is $46 (C$1,677). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Managua? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Managua
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Managua is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $20 (C$722) per person, per day, on local transportation in Managua.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$20
C$722
How much does it cost to go to Managua? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Managua will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Managua
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Managua can vary, the average cost of food in Managua is $17 (C$637) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Managua should cost around $6.94 (C$255) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Managua is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$17
C$637
Entertainment Budget in Managua
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Managua typically cost an average of $16 (C$586) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$16
C$586
Tips and Handouts Budget in Managua
Calculated from travelers like you
Alcohol Budget in Managua
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $11 (C$407) on alcoholic beverages in Managua per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$11
C$407
Water Budget in Managua
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.65 (C$24) on bottled water in Managua per day. The public water in Managua is not usually considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.65
C$24
Managua On a Budget
Managua, Nicaragua
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.
While Managua has a reputation for being a dangerous city, it has actually made a great effort to get this problem under control. Today you will see a heavy police presence throughout the entire city. Crime is now relatively low, but common sense is still important. Stay alert when you're traveling around the city, particular at night. Travel in groups when you can and it is best to have someone with you who speaks Spanish. Also make sure you understand which neighborhoods you will be wandering through so you know what risks you may be taking.
Managua has a tropical climate. The temperatures are relatively constant throughout the year, averaging between 82 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. There is a dry season that is between November and April and a wet season from May to October. Temperatures are warmest in March and April.
Sights
There are some fascinating sights around Managua, many of which highlight the colonial architecture around the city. Make sure you head to the Catedral de Managua, which is now in ruins after the 1972 earthquake. Today the Palacio Nacional is a museum with a multitude of exhibits you can visit. Visit the Rotonda Ruben Dario at night when the fountain is lit up and quite pleasant to see. A fun place to see is Tiscapa Lagoon which is a freshwater lagoon and volcano crater lake. It has ziplines nearby which can be fun. There's also a New Cathedral worth visiting and Parque de la Paz, also worth a visit.
Neighborhoods
Managua has a population of about 1,800,000, making it the second largest city in Central America after Guatemala City. Following the 1972 earthquake, many residential and business areas grew in the outskirts of the city. Barrio Martha Quezada and Barrio Jorge Dimitrove are both quiet, but less safe parts of the city. If you find yourself in these areas, it's best not to wander around after dark. The TicaBus Station is located in Barrio Jorge Dimitrov and there are many budget hotels nearby, so if you arrive in this area, it's best not to travel alone and make sure you take taxis at night.
If you're looking for bars and restaurants, then you'll find many in the area south of the big BAC building downtown. Zona Rosa is a growing area with bars and restaurants in a predominantly residential neighborhood. Zona Viva also has several options.
Activities
It can be fun to shop for handicrafts in Managua. Mercado Huembes has everything from local souvenirs to hammocks or art work. Galeria Codice is a great place to buy art. They have high quality work from all over Nicaragua.
Managua has many casinos throughout the city. Casinos range in size from small to large and several have poker games, while most of them have slot machines.
Food and Dining
There are plenty a delicious and reasonably priced restaurants and bars around town. The typical breakfast in Managua is Leche Agria, which is a homemade yogurt based drink. You can pick one up at any number of places, and many people enjoy it with a tortilla. Pupusas, fruit juices, roast chicken, and steakhouses are all available as well. There are some good international restaurants as well, including a popular French restaurant, Le Cafe de Paris. This high price restaurant has a good wine selection, foie gras, and pepper steak, among other French favorites.
Transportation
Although there is a local bus system that is well organized, you are required to purchase a smart card to use a bus. This is very difficult for visitors, and bus drivers will not accept cash.
There are several car rental agencies in the city but driving can be difficult and confusing. There is not a traditional street address system and directions are usually given with landmarks. This can prove difficult for those not familiar with the city.
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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.
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.