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- How much does it cost to travel to Nicaragua? (Average Daily Cost)
- Nicaragua trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month
- How much do package tours cost in Nicaragua?
- Is Nicaragua expensive to visit?
- How much do I need for a trip to Nicaragua?
- Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
- Travel Guide
How much does it cost to travel to Nicaragua?
You should plan to spend around $54 (C$1,975) per day on your vacation in Nicaragua. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $15 (C$541) on meals
- $9.93 (C$365) on local transportation
- $33 (C$1,224) on hotels
A one week trip to Nicaragua for two people costs, on average, $752 (C$27,654). 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.
Average Daily CostPer person, per day
$54
C$1,975
One WeekPer person
$376
C$13,827
2 WeeksPer person
$752
C$27,654
One MonthPer person
$1,612
C$59,259
One WeekFor a couple
$752
C$27,654
2 WeeksFor a couple
$1,505
C$55,309
One MonthFor a couple
$3,224
C$118,518
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Nicaragua cost?
A one week trip to Nicaragua usually costs around $376 (C$13,827) for one person and $752 (C$27,654) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Nicaragua on average costs around $752 (C$27,654) for one person and $1,505 (C$55,309) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Nicaragua will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Nicaragua on average costs around $1,612 (C$59,259) for one person and $3,224 (C$118,518) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
How much do package tours cost in Nicaragua?
Organized tours are usually more expensive than independent travel, but offer convenience and peace of mind that your trip has been planned by a travel expert.
The average price for an organized tour package in Nicaragua is $223 per day. While every tour varies by total price, length, number of destinations, and quality, this is the daily average price based on our analysis of available guided tours.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently 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 Nicaragua expensive to visit?
Nicaragua is a reasonably affordable destination to visit. It is in the top 25% of countries in the world for its affordability. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within Central America, Nicaragua is reasonably affordable compared to the other countries. It is in the top 25% of countries in Central America for its affordability. You can find more affordable countries such as El Salvador, but there are also more expensive countries, such as Costa Rica.
For more details, see Is Nicaragua Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Nicaragua?
The average Nicaragua trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Nicaragua travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation1(Double Occupancy) | C$1,224($33) |
| Local Transportation1 | C$365($9.93) |
| Food2 | C$541($15) |
| Entertainment1 | C$457($12) |
| Tips and Handouts1 | C$10 -29($0 - 1) |
| Alcohol2 | C$159 -477($4 - 13) |
Accommodation Budget in Nicaragua
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Nicaragua is $17 (C$612). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Nicaragua is $33 (C$1,224). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Accommodation1Hotel or hostel for one person
$17
C$612
Accommodation1Typical double-occupancy room
$33
C$1,224
Hotel Prices in Nicaragua
Looking for a hotel in Nicaragua? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Find the best hotel for your travel style.
Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Nicaragua based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $76. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.
Recommended Properties
Local Transportation Budget in Nicaragua
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The cost of a taxi ride in Nicaragua is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $9.93 (C$365) per person, per day, on local transportation in Nicaragua.
Local Transportation1Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$9.93
C$365
Recommended Services
Food Budget in Nicaragua
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
While meal prices in Nicaragua can vary, the average cost of food in Nicaragua is $15 (C$541) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Nicaragua should cost around $5.88 (C$216) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Nicaragua is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
Food2Meals for one day
$15
C$541
Recommended
What did other people spend on Food?
Typical prices for Food in Nicaragua are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Nicaragua, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Pizza
C$84
Entertainment Budget in Nicaragua
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
Entertainment and activities in Nicaragua typically cost an average of $12 (C$457) 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.
Entertainment1Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$12
C$457
Recommended Activities
What did other people spend on Entertainment?
Typical prices for Entertainment in Nicaragua are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Nicaragua, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour
C$300
Tips and Handouts Budget in Nicaragua
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Nicaragua is $0.53 (C$19) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Nicaragua is 5% - 15%.
Tips and Handouts1For guides or service providers
$0.53
C$19
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Nicaragua
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Nicaragua is $6.62 (C$243), as reported by travelers.
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$6.62
C$243
Alcohol Budget in Nicaragua
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average person spends about $8.64 (C$318) on alcoholic beverages in Nicaragua per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Alcohol2Drinks for one day
$8.64
C$318
What did other people spend on Alcohol?
Typical prices for Alcohol in Nicaragua are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Alcohol prices in Nicaragua, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Tequila
C$50
Water Budget in Nicaragua
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
On average, people spend $0.72 (C$26) on bottled water in Nicaragua per day. The public water in Nicaragua is not usually considered safe to drink.
Water2Bottled water for one day
$0.72
C$26
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Nicaragua on a Budget
Granada, Nicaragua
Nicaragua is growing in popularity with travelers from around the world. It still feels less discovered than many countries in Central America, and it's a little more rough around the edges than its neighbor, Costa Rica, but that only adds to its charm and appeal. It's rustic nature also means it is a great budget destination where you can stretch your dollar quite far. As its popularity continues to grow, you can only expect the costs to continue to rise, so now is really the time to visit Nicaragua, while it remains somewhat undiscovered and off the traveler's radar. You'll be surprised at how affordable a vacation in this tropical country can really be.
There are countless things to explore in Nicaragua. There are great beaches with good surfing opportunities, beautiful cities like Granada, and outdoor adventure activites on the island of Ometepe. If you're interested in hiking you will find no shortage of options. If you're a history buff, the area is rich with colonial architecture and history. If you're a beach goer looking to catch some rays and waves, you'll find some isolated and beautiful beaches that are well worth the trip.
Nicaragua is a great travel destination for everyone. Despite its low costs, there are still some tricks for making it even more affordable. Perhaps one of the most important pieces of advice is to carry small bills. If you're crossing the border from Costa Rica in particular, make sure you break down all your larger bills into change. It is virtually impossible in some parts of Nicaragua to find someone to make change. Food options are also very cheap in Nicaragua. In particular, try to dine at restaurants that offer buffets, referred to as fritanga. You will get a great value as the buffet often includes rice, meat, cheese, and salad at a cost of only a few dollars. Another tip for saving a few bucks is to return any glass bottles to the place where you purchased them. Store owners recycle the bottles and will give you a little cash back on your purchase. It's also a great way to help the environment. Also make sure you negotiate for prices, particularly in markets. This is expected and it can be a fun way to experience local culture.
At A Glance
- Tourism is continuing to grow throughout the country. While prices still remain cheap, demand picks up a little more every year and you can expect that to be reflected in the price of everything from hotel rooms to meals soon enough. While it still trails neighboring countries in its popularity, Nicaragua is on the rise and it will only continue to grow in the coming years.
- Many people choose to visit Nicaragua through a volunteer program. There are many different organizations that run programs to the country and, like anything else, some are better than others. Most will require you to a pay a fee for this opportunity. Make sure you understand exactly where your money ends up. Also make sure you're completely knowledgeable of what type of programs you'll be working with and participating in. You do not want to arrive and find there is little to do and worse yet, you don't want to find that you've displaced a local worker and taken a much needed job.
- Nicaragua is famed for its "Chicken Buses." These intercity buses travel throughout the country and service as public transportation for residents and tourists alike. They are most often old American school buses that have been repainted to have a little more style and flare. More often than not there will be some form of lively music playing and you'll find yourself sitting next to some form of livestock. It's a great experience and an opportunity that is not to be missed while you're in the country.
- Be prepared to negotiate hard for your taxi price, particularly in the city of Managua. There is no shortage of taxis so don't be afraid to let one go on by until you find one that offers you a suitable rate. Make sure the rate has been firmly set before you get in the car. Also don't be surprised if the driver picks up other passengers along the way. This is standard practice if there are others who are headed in roughly the same direction.
- It's important that you carry small bills with you while you're traveling throughout the country. Most people don't have change for larger bills and it can be very frustrating to try and pay for something when nobody can make change. If you're crossing the border from a neighboring country head to the bank before you leave and ask them to give you very small Nicaraguan bills. This will help you out tremendously.
Related:
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Top Tourist Attractions
Ometepe: This large and dramatic island in Lake Nicaragua is made from two beautifully distinct volcanoes. A visit to the island offers all kinds of opportunities, from hiking and mountain climbing, to swimming at the base of an impressive waterfalls or exploring a coffee plantation.
Granada: Granada is a popular tourist destination and beautiful colonial city with impressive homes and churches. It is a great place to relax and wander for a few days during your visit to Nicaragua.
Lake Nicaragua: The largest lake in Nicaragua, Lake Nicaragua is home to the famed (although likely extinct) freshwater sharks. It's a unique ecosystem and a popular destination in the country.
Popular Foods
Like elsewhere in Central America, Nicaraguan food is based on rice and beans. Most dishes have a meat component and fried plantains to accompany it. The meals are usually filling and cheap. Street food is generally a good option if you are looking for cheap snacks. There are also many buffet style restaurants, referred to as fritanga, that offer good lunch and dinner options.
Pipian o ayote: This is a creamy potato stew that is one of the few vegetarian options in Nicaragua. It can be filling and hearty and is available in many restaurants.
Nacatamales: This large tamale dish is made with pork or beef and other seasonings. Making it can be a production so it is typically served on Sundays as part of a large meal or during celebratory meals. It is usually accompanied by bread and Nicaraguan coffee.
Indio Viejo: This meal is made with cornmeal and either beef or shredded chicken and flavored with mint. It is often served with chilero, which is a cured onion and chile mixture.
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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.
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1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.
