Which place is cheaper, Managua or Cabarete?
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 Cabarete or Managua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cabarete or Managua, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Cabarete or Managua?
Cabarete
Nestled on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Cabarete is a vibrant beach town known for its stunning coastline, world-class water sports, and lively nightlife. Originally a small fishing village, Cabarete has transformed into a hub for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation.
Traveling to Cabarete on a budget is entirely feasible with a bit of planning. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to affordable hotels and guesthouses. Eating on a budget is easy in Cabarete, with numerous local eateries and street vendors serving delicious Dominican dishes at reasonable prices. Look for "comedores," small local restaurants where you can enjoy meals like "la bandera" (rice, beans, and meat) for under $5. Public transportation in Cabarete is both affordable and convenient. The local "guaguas" (minibuses) and "motoconchos" (motorcycle taxis) are inexpensive ways to get around.
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 Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.
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Cabarete Prices
Dominican Republic PricesManagua Prices
Nicaragua Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCabarete $170Managua $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Cabarete is $170, while the average daily cost in Managua is $67. 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 Cabarete and Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCabarete $70Managua $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCabarete $140Managua $46
Compare Hotels in Cabarete and Managua
Looking for a hotel in Cabarete 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: Cabarete Hotel Prices and Managua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cabarete $39Managua $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabarete
Also for Cabarete, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers from Samana Airport to cabarete, sosua: $250
- Transfers from Jarabacoa to cabarete, sosua: $75
- Transfers from Cabarete to Santiago Airport: $50
- Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Puerto Plata Roundtrip Private Transfer: $45
- Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Puerto Plata -Arrival Private Transfer: $23
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: $90
- San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Managua: $57
- San Jorge Rivas Transfer: $47
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- Nicaragua Private Transfer Service Managua and San Juan del Sur: $100
- 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
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $127
- Granada: One way shared transfer to Managua: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Cabarete or Managua?
Prices for flights to both Managua and Cabarete 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 dayCabarete $68Managua $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cabarete $50Managua $16
Tours and Activities in Cabarete
For Cabarete, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 10-Hour Guided Tour of Samana and Bacardi Island Los Haitises: $130
- 27 Waterfalls Damajagua Tour from Cabarete Sosua & Puerto Plata: $79
- 4 Wheel Adventure: $128
- 4-Wheel Adventure: $102
- Deep Caves in Cabarete with Guided Tour and Swimming: $60
- Full-Day Tour to Punta Rucia and Cayo Arena with Snorkeling: $89
- Monkeyland and Zipline Adventure from Puerto Plata: $90
- Paradise Island Cruise Snorkeling Excursion: $95
- Private tour: Dudu cenotes + Playa Grande Beach + much more: $220
- Puerto Plata Triple Adventure: $120
- Scuba Diving tour in puerto plata Hotel/Cruise: $189
- Snorkeling Tour & Sosua Beach Day: $81
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
- Granada + Boat ride+Handicraft Market+Catarina+ Lava tour: $120
- Granada lake +Colonial City + Lava tour Masaya volcano: $60
- 3 full day tour at Granada, Lava tour and Leon : $210
- Amazing Masaya Volcano at Night "Private Tour" : $88
- Apoyo Lagoon + Lava tour: $48
- Between Volcanoes Tours; Granada-Masaya.: $155
- 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
- Managua Capital City Private Tour: $90
- Managua City Tour: $98
- Managua City Tour: $84
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCabarete $16Managua $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cabarete and Managua, we can see that Cabarete is more expensive. And not only is Managua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cabarete is in Caribbean Islands 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 Cabarete would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cabarete 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 Cabarete Expensive? and Is Managua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cabarete or Managua?
Managua has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Cabarete. When comparing the sizes of Cabarete 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.