Travel budget in Nicaragua

Nicaragua: calculate your travel budget

Nicaragua: sample budgets by traveller type

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Nicaragua for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 46 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 8.3 per person
  • $ 0.9 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 900* (32928 NIO)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 79 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 16 per person
  • $ 3.7 per person
  • $ 7.4 per person

Total budget:

$ 1841* (67354 NIO)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 108 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 24 per person
  • $ 9.1 per person
  • $ 15 per person

Total budget:

$ 2830* (103530 NIO)

* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).



Cost of living in Nicaragua in 2024

Cost of living: Nicaragua VS United States

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Nicaragua in 2024 is 46% less than in the United States (USA).

The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices United States in in the United States (USA) and United States by types of expenses:

Cost of living in Nicaragua by city

See the table below for the variation in the cost of living in different cities in Nicaragua compared to the national average.

Cities /Nicaragua View Details
Managua 38% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Managua
San Juan del Sur 8% moreTravel budget and cost of living in San Juan del Sur
Matagalpa 7% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Matagalpa
Esteli 13% lessTravel budget and cost of living in Esteli



Local prices in Nicaragua by expense type

Nicaragua: Restaurant budget

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Nicaragua costs 62% less than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 4/person
($ 2.8 to $ 7.1)

79% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 15/person
($ 9.5 to $ 21)

62% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 5.6/person
($ 5 to $ 7.6)

48% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12
Local beer
Local beer
$ 1.3 for 500ml
($ 1 to $ 2.6)

77% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 2.1 for 330ml
($ 1.6 to $ 2.6)

40% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 2.1/cup
($ 1 to $ 3.6)

57% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 0.9/can
($ 0.6 to $ 1.6)

64% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.7/bottle
($ 0.6 to $ 1)

65% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Nicaragua: Hotel and accommodation budget

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Nicaragua costs 61% less than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 64/night
($ 28 to $ 238)

64% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 182
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 68/night
($ 35 to $ 182)

58% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 164
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 91/night
($ 42 to $ 240)

62% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 240
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 126/night
($ 51 to $ 410)

61% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 324
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 96/night
($ 60 to $ 343)

79% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 472
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 65/month
($ 28 to $ 236)

62% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 174
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 97/month
($ 37 to $ 371)

61% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 253
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 103/month
($ 42 to $ 427)

52% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 219
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 81/month
($ 45 to $ 234)

65% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 234
Family room
Family room
$ 126/month
($ 46 to $ 398)

42% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 219

Nicaragua: Supermarket food budget

On average, the price of supermarket food in Nicaragua costs 43% less than in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 1.1/litre
($ 0.9 to $ 1.5)

5% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1
Bread
Bread
$ 1.5/500g
($ 0.7 to $ 3.4)

59% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Rice
Rice
$ 1.1/kg
($ 0.7 to $ 1.5)

76% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6
Eggs
Eggs
$ 1.9/12 eggs
($ 1.2 to $ 2.1)

48% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7
Chicken
Chicken
$ 5.3/kg
($ 2.9 to $ 6.6)

56% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13
Apples
Apples
$ 5.4/kg
($ 2.8 to $ 9.4)

2% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 1.8)

73% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 2.1/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 4.3)

30% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 1
($ 0.7 to $ 1.6)

55% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Nicaragua: Public and private transport budget

On average, the price of transport in Nicaragua costs 37% less than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 0.2/ticket
($ 0.1 to $ 2.1)

90% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 0.6/km
($ 0.6 to $ 0.7)

66% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.3/litre
($ 1.2 to $ 1.6)

40% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 0.6
($ 0.6 to $ 0.7)

83% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Car hire
Car hire
$ 82/24hrs
($ 25 to $ 182)

13% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 73

Nicaragua: Leisure activity budget

On average, budget for leisure activities in Nicaragua costs 55% less than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 7.4/ticket
($ 6.2 to $ 8.1)

47% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15
Tennis
Tennis
$ 7.7/hr
($ 7.7 to $ 16)

63% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

Nicaragua: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

On average, shopping budget in Nicaragua costs 19% less than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 3/pack
($ 2.7 to $ 3.6)

69% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 60
($ 16 to $ 91)

11% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 53
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 45
($ 31 to $ 71)

1% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

Montreal → Managua
Montreal → Managua
Montreal → Managua
$ 708
(fair price: $ 554)
London → Managua
London → Managua
London → Managua
$ 974
(fair price: $ 811)
New York City → Managua
New York City → Managua
New York City → Managua
$ 539
(fair price: $ 397)
Los Angeles → Managua
Los Angeles  → Managua
Los Angeles  → Managua
$ 591
(fair price: $ 452)
Toronto → Managua
Toronto → Managua
Toronto → Managua
$ 612
(fair price: $ 483)
Chicago → Managua
Chicago → Managua
Chicago → Managua
$ 519
(fair price: $ 347)

Book a flight Flight prices to Nicaragua




About the information on the cost of living in Nicaragua

The information about the cost of living in Nicaragua shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including : Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

Information about cost of living in Nicaragua updated on 24-09-2024.

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