nicaragua

Prices and Cost of Living in Nicaragua

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Travel Budget Calculator

Calculate how much money you will spend on your vacation in Nicaragua. Sample budget for each type of traveler - food, transportation, sightseeing and accommodation expenses.

Travel style: 1 Travel style: 3

Food

from 7.66 USD to 9.79 USD

Transportation

from 0.34 USD to 4.30 USD

Sightseeing

from 3.14 USD to 5.23 USD

Accommodation

from 19.79 USD to 21.99 USD

Backpacker's budget

Traveling with a backpack

from 30.93 USD to 41.30 USD

Average daily expenses were calculated on the basis of the prices of accommodation, food (restaurants and shops), transport (public transport and taxis) and some tourist attractions. Values may vary depending on the city, tourist season, or during major religious and public events. Update 22 December 2024.

How much do you spend per day on travel and sightseeing?

Traveling and sightseeing in a cheap way (hostels, cheap food), you can fit into a budget from 1134 NIO (30.93 USD) to 1514 NIO (41.3 USD). On the other hand, a slightly higher standard (3-star hotel, meals in restaurants) you should expect to spend from 3048 NIO (83.17 USD) to 3955 NIO (108 USD). You should additionally take into account that if you are traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher.

Food Prices - Calculate the Cost of Living

The calculator allows you to quickly and easily calculate how much you will spend on average to buy food at grocery stores in Nicaragua. Plan your daily, weekly and monthly food expenses.

Select the appropriate number of days to see how much you will spend on food during that period. Values given for one person.

1 day

Cheapest products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 5.21 USD to 7.02 USD

Mid-range products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 6.41 USD to 8.65 USD

Average values for capital or largest city. Purchase of food products in local stores and supermarkets corresponding to daily meals of 2,200 to 2,400 kcal was taken into account. Update 22 December 2024.

How much do you have to spend on groceries per day in Nicaragua?

When shopping for groceries in local stores and markets, the average daily cost of food expenses will range from 191 NIO (5.21 USD) to 257 NIO (7.02 USD) when buying the cheapest products. However, if you choose slightly more expensive products, you can expect to pay from 235 NIO (6.41 USD) to 317 NIO (8.65 USD) per day. These figures are based on daily meals consisting of approximately 2200-2400 kcal and may vary slightly depending on the city.

Budget and shopping basket update: 22 December 2024

Estimated budget and daily food costs are always given per person and are only a suggestion to help you plan your total travel costs.

Budget was calculated on the basis of average prices of accommodation in each category (hotels and hostels), food costs (restaurants and grocery shopping), transport prices and some tourist attractions.

BACKPACKER'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a hostel or cheap hotel,
• travel by public transport,
• dining in cheap local restaurants or buying food in local stores,
• small number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (when traveling alone, prices may be higher, but only if we use a hotel room instead of a dormitory).

TOURIST'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a 3 star hotel (with a small number of available facilities, average prices of 3* and 4* hotels),
• traveling by taxis,
• catering in middle-class restaurants and buying food in grocery stores,
• average number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (they share costs of accommodation and transport).

FOOD EXPENSES
• daily meals containing 2200 to 2400 kcal (applies to both price variants),
• shopping for food in local stores or supermarkets (no meals in restaurants),
• value per person & for the capital or largest city.

Prices in Nicaragua

Below you will find a list of prices for products and services in Nicaragua, which will help you determine what expenses you should prepare for when going on vacation in this country.

Grocery Store Prices

Apples (1kg)4.54 USD
Banana (1kg)1.19 USD
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)6.72 USD
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)9.91 USD
Chicken Fillets (1kg)4.97 USD
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)3.00 USD
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)1.32 USD
Eggs (regular) (12)1.85 USD
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)2.01 USD
Lettuce (1 head)0.89 USD
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)1.31 USD
Local Cheese (1kg)4.04 USD
Milk (regular), (1 liter)1.01 USD
Onion (1kg)1.46 USD
Oranges (1kg)2.59 USD
Potato (1kg)1.53 USD
Rice (white), (1kg)1.03 USD
Tomato (1kg)1.33 USD
Water (1.5 liter bottle)0.98 USD

Food and beverage prices in Nicaragua

Popular food products found on store shelves in Nicaragua include bananas, rice, bread, onions, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, beef and potatoes, among others. Prices for a kilo of these products range from 1.46 NIO (1.46 USD) for a kilo of onions to 6.72 NIO (6.72 USD) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 1.03 NIO (1.03 USD) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 1.31 NIO (1.31 USD) per half kilo. Bananas cost 1.19 NIO (1.19 USD) per kilo, while apples cost 4.54 NIO (4.54 USD) per kilo.

Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 0.98 NIO (0.98 USD). Dairy prices in Nicaragua, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 1.01 NIO (1.01 USD), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 4.04 NIO (4.04 USD). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 4.97 NIO (4.97 USD) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 1.85 NIO (1.85 USD), and the average price of tomatoes is 1.33 NIO (1.33 USD) per kilo.

Restaurant Prices

Cappuccino (regular)2.10 USD
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)0.81 USD
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)1.50 USD
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)2.20 USD
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)6.00 USD
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course29.59 USD
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant4.10 USD
Water (0.33 liter bottle)0.71 USD

What is the typical cost for an affordable meal?

Prices in restaurants in Nicaragua vary and depend on several factors, such as the type of restaurant, location and time of day. For instance, a Cappuccino typically costs around 2.1 NIO (2.1 USD), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 0.81 NIO (0.81 USD). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 6 NIO (6 USD) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 29.59 NIO (29.59 USD). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 4.1 NIO (4.1 USD).

Public Transportation Prices

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)9.57 USD
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)0.17 USD
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)6.00 USD
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)0.64 USD
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)0.96 USD

How much does transportation cost in Nicaragua?

The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 0.17 NIO (0.17 USD), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 9.57 NIO (9.57 USD). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 0.96 NIO (0.96 USD), along with a per-kilometer charge of 0.64 NIO (0.64 USD).

Fuel Prices

Diesel 1L1.18 USD
Gasoline 1L1.33 USD

Fuel prices in Nicaragua

Average fuel prices in Nicaragua are 48.86 NIO (1.33 USD) per liter of gasoline and 43.1 NIO (1.18 USD) per liter of diesel.

Entertainment Prices

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat6.15 USD
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult28.82 USD
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)15.00 USD

Apartment Rental Prices

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre268 USD
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre206 USD
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre519 USD
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre408 USD

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Nicaragua?

The cost of renting or buying an apartment in Nicaragua varies according to its location. On average, renting an apartment with one bedroom and a living room outside the city center costs approximately 206 NIO (206 USD) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 268 NIO (268 USD) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 939 NIO (939 USD) per square meter.

Apartment Buying Prices

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre939 USD
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre770 USD

Average Salary

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)295 USD

Hotel Prices in Nicaragua

A comprehensive list of the current prices of accommodations in various cities, ranging from budget-friendly hotels to high-end luxurious stays.

Category
Qty
Average price
Cheapest
13
53.43 USD
Orison Hostels Managua
23
79.09 USD
D la Torre Hotel
7
97.23 USD
Hostal Cuba Dance
Source: Expedia.com • Update: 15 December 2024 (1 night stay for 2 people on 29 Dec 2024)
Sources and updates

• Prices of products and services in Nicaragua. Prices may vary from town to town.
• Updates: oldest data 03/2023, latest data 10/2024.
• Prices were calculated based on several sources including Expedia.com, Booking.com, local supermarket websites, own sources, submissions from users. We do not guarantee their accuracy, however, we try, to keep them high.
• If you have noticed an error, please report it.

prices and living costs nicaragua

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