Jamaica Travel Budget - Visit Jamaica on a Budget or Travel in Style


How much does it cost to travel to Jamaica?

You should plan to spend around $129 (J$19,987) per day on your vacation in Jamaica. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $24 (J$3,798) on meals
  • $13 (J$2,091) on local transportation
  • $164 (J$25,503) on hotels

A one week trip to Jamaica for two people costs, on average, $1,800 (J$279,813). 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 Cost Per person, per day
    $129
    J$19,987
  • One Week Per person
    $900
    J$139,907
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $1,800
    J$279,813
  • One Month Per person
    $3,857
    J$599,600
  • One Week For a couple
    $1,800
    J$279,813
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $3,600
    J$559,626
  • One Month For a couple
    $7,713
    J$1,199,200
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 Jamaica cost?

A one week trip to Jamaica usually costs around $900 (J$139,907) for one person and $1,800 (J$279,813) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Jamaica on average costs around $1,800 (J$279,813) for one person and $3,600 (J$559,626) 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 Jamaica will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Jamaica on average costs around $3,857 (J$599,600) for one person and $7,713 (J$1,199,200) 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 Jamaica?

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 Jamaica is $454 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 Jamaica expensive to visit?

Jamaica is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.

Within the Caribbean Islands, which is known to be an expensive region, Jamaica is reasonably affordable compared to the other countries. It is in the top 25% of countries in the Caribbean Islands for its affordability. You can find more affordable countries such as Haiti, but there are also more expensive countries, such as Barbados.

For more details, see Is Jamaica Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Jamaica?

The average Jamaica trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Jamaica travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) J$25,503 ($164)
Local Transportation 1 J$2,091 ($13)
Food 2 J$3,798 ($24)
Entertainment 1 J$3,333 ($21)
Alcohol 2 J$788 - 2,364 ($5 - 15)
Accommodation Budget in Jamaica
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Jamaica is $82 (J$12,752). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Jamaica is $164 (J$25,503). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $82
    J$12,752
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $164
    J$25,503

Hotel Prices in Jamaica

Looking for a hotel in Jamaica? 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 Jamaica based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $174. (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 Jamaica
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Jamaica is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $13 (J$2,091) per person, per day, on local transportation in Jamaica.


  • Local Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $13
    J$2,091

Recommended Services

What did other people spend on Local Transportation?

Typical prices for Local Transportation in Jamaica are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Jamaica, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Taxi From Airport
    J$2,115


Food Budget in Jamaica
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Jamaica can vary, the average cost of food in Jamaica is $24 (J$3,798) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Jamaica should cost around $9.77 (J$1,519) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Jamaica is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $24
    J$3,798

Recommended


Entertainment Budget in Jamaica
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Jamaica typically cost an average of $21 (J$3,333) 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.
    $21
    J$3,333

Recommended Activities

What did other people spend on Entertainment?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Jamaica are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Jamaica, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach
    J$423
  • Admission to Coyaba Gardens
    J$846
  • Tour of Brimmer Hall Estate
    J$1,692
  • Tour of Prospect Plantation
    J$2,792
  • Snorkeling Trip
    J$2,961
  • One Tank Dive
    J$5,923
  • 2 Hr Horseback Ride
    J$6,769
  • 1.5 Hr Horseback Ride
    J$6,769


Alcohol Budget in Jamaica
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $10 (J$1,576) on alcoholic beverages in Jamaica per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $10
    J$1,576

Recommended


Jamaica On a Budget
Jamaica Montego Bay, Jamaica
Jamaica is a Caribbean island country that is located just south of Cuba. It's a dramatically mountainous island that is surprisingly affordable when compared to other island countries in the Caribbean. It has a population of about 2.8 million people and its economy is mainly dependent on tourism, coffee, and other exports. The weather in Jamaica is generally hot and humid year around. It's a tropical island although the higher mountain areas can have a surprisingly temperate climate. It's also located in the hurricane belt, so if you plan to take a trip during the fall months, you should plan accordingly.

Visitors to Jamaica arrive by either plane or cruise ship. Several ports of call are popular cruise ship destinations and it's easy to see the influence this level of tourism is having on the area. Local buses are a great option for traveling around Jamaica. They're efficient, cheap and can be a fun experience to have. You'll likely have to tip the baggage handler so come prepared with small change. Trains are another option for some destinations, but generally speaking, buses are a better option. You could also rent a car and drive yourself around the country. Do be prepared as the roads are often in poor condition and traffic in towns and cities can be frustratingly congested.

Jamaica is probably most famous for its stunning beaches as well as its festive and fun culture, and unique food. Jamaica also has many all inclusive resorts if you're interested in a package vacation with the comforts of home and the luxury of a nice getaway. These options are often reasonably priced, but if you travel independently it will be cheaper. You will have a more authentic experience if you travel around on your own, but you also won't have all of the comforts and conveniences that many people enjoy from an all inclusive resort. These resorts also offer tours and excursions that allow you to see the island in a more structured way. They are often comparable to the excursions offered by cruise ships both in style and in price.
At A Glance
  • Jamaica has both beautiful beaches and dramatically mountain landscape. Do not spend your whole holiday on the beach or you'll miss the beautiful waterfalls and mountain areas that make Jamaica unique. Plan to spend at least a day or two away from the ocean, hiking in the forest. This may actually turn out to be your favorite part of the trip.

  • There are two international airports in Jamaica. They both receive a good number of international flights. Norman Manley International Airport is located in Kingston in the southeastern part of the island, while Donald Sangster International Airport is in Montego Bay to the northwest. Make sure you understand which airport you're flying into and where it is in relation to your hotel, as this will make your trip a lot smoother.

  • Consider traveling around in a route taxi instead of a tourist taxi. Route taxis offer an interesting experience as they are typically full of people from all different areas. They generally travel between towns along set routes and they're easy to pick up in any town center. They are also a lot cheaper than tourist taxis.

  • ATMs are actually referred to a ABMs in Jamaica. They are available almost anywhere throughout the country, and are usually linked to an international network so you should generally not have any problems withdrawing money while you're on the road.

  • Many people visit Jamaica as part of a cruise, but this is a large island nation and you will really miss large parts of it if you spend only a day or even half a day in the area. Instead, consider Jamaica to be a destination in and of itself and give yourself at least a week to explore the island. After all, Jamaica is a very safe country to visit.

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    Top Tourist Attractions
    Nine Mile: This is a village town that is most famous as the birth place for the legendary Bob Marley. Today you can visit the Bob Marley Mausoleum where he is buried. You'll also see many guitars, awards, and photographs commemorating him here.

    Seven Mile Beach: This is probably one of the popular and famous beaches in Jamaica. It's a great place to relax, swim and soak up some sun for awhile. It is also the longest stretch of beach in all of Jamaica, and although it can be a little more difficult to travel to, it is well worth the effort once you arrive.

    Dunn's River Falls: This waterfalls is definitely a highlight for many travelers to Jamaica. It's located in Ocho Rios and is a 600 feet waterfalls that is absolutely breathtaking.

    Popular Foods
    More than most Caribbean cuisines, Jamaican food has claimed international fame. It's not uncommon to find Jamaican restaurants in major cities around the world. The food is typically cooked in a jerk style or seasoned with curry. Chicken and pork are often the meats of choice, and most meals are accompanied by fresh fruits and vegetables.

    Ackee and saltfish: This is the national dish of Jamaica and a must try for any visitor to the island. Ackee is a local fruit that looks a little like scrambled eggs, although its taste is quite different. The fruit is served with dried codfish, onions and tomatoes. The best option for trying this dish is to find a place that prepares it with fresh ackee, as opposed to canned. This is a uniquely Jamaican dish and something you won't find anywhere else.

    Bammy: A traditional Jamaica dish that is thought to have been originally invented by the Arawak or Taino Indians, bammy is a flat pancake that is made from floury cassava and eaten most often for breakfast. It's comparable in taste to cornbread.

    Jerk Chicken: Jerk chicken is probably the most famous Jamaican dish and has been exported to restaurants around the world. The chicken is covered in jerk spices and then grilled on a barbeque. While jerk chicken is the most common version, you can also find jerk pork and jerk conch.

    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.



    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.