A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Coimbra vs. Montego Bay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Coimbra or Montego Bay?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Coimbra or Montego Bay? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Coimbra or Montego Bay?

Coimbra

Coimbra is located in Central Portugal in the Centro Region. It's the third largest city in the country with about 460,000 people living in the entire region. It is also where you'll find the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese speaking world. During the High Middle Ages, Coimbra served as the nation's capital and there are archaeological structures that date back to the Roman era.

Montego Bay

As with most places around the tropical oasis of Jamaica, Montego Bay (or "MoBay") is an ideal place to visit for a Caribbean getaway. It is Jamaica's second largest city and the capital of St. James parish on the northern coast. Montego Bay is considered to be the tourist capital of the country and is where the largest airport is located, bringing in many international travelers.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Coimbra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €138, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is €217. 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 Coimbra and Montego Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Coimbra 44
    Montego Bay 85
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Coimbra 88
    Montego Bay 170
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Montego Bay

Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Montego Bay? 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.

Hotels in Coimbra


Hotels in Montego Bay


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: Coimbra Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Coimbra 11
    Montego Bay 12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra

Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private transfer in Coimbra City : $95
  • Transfers Aveiro or Coimbra to Lisbon Airport: $159
  • Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $161
  • Private Transfer Coimbra to Take Christ's Convent : $274
  • Private Transfer Coimbra to Aveiro Costa Nova : $298

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • VIP Luxury Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay/ Falmouth: $70
  • Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Iberostar zone: $61
  • Sangster Airport Montego Bay Transfer to Montego Bay or Falmouth: $16
  • Sandals South Coast Airport Transfer: $80
  • Royalton White Sands Private Airport Transfer: $40
  • Royalton Blue Waters & Hideaway by Blue Waters Private Transfer: $35
  • Roundtrip Montego Bay Airport Private Transfer to Hotel or Airbnb: $22
  • Riu Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $169
  • Private airport transfer to negril resorts arrival/departure: $17
  • Private Transfer/Tours to/from Montego Bay: $60
  • Private Transfer to Dunns River Blue Hole Tubing from Montego Bay: $110
  • Private Transfer to Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole: $110

Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Montego Bay?

Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Coimbra 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Coimbra 83
    Montego Bay 119

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra

For Coimbra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Tomar Cooking Class & Garden-to-Table Meal with Lake Views: $142

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.

  • Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $10
  • 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
  • Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica : $130
  • Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
  • Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations : $158
  • PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $190

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Coimbra 18
    Montego Bay 26

Tours and Activities in Coimbra

For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.48
  • Tomar Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.48
  • Coimbra Top Attractions Walking Tour: $5.96
  • Coimbra Downtown Walking Tour with uptown insights : $5.96
  • Coimbra Downhill Tour Highlights History and Student Traditions: $5.96
  • Coimbra Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.34
  • Tomar’s Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Self-Guided Tour of Fado Traditions in Coimbra: $9.99
  • Coimbra City Tour : $24
  • Cycle to Ancient Dolmens in Azenha. History, Theory & Folklore Guided Tour: $36
  • Coimbra Adventure Discovery and Learning with a Local: $42
  • Tomar and the Templars Convent of Christ Tour: A Historical Tale: $48

Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:


  • Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach
    2.24
  • Snorkeling Trip
    16
  • One Tank Dive
    31
  • 1.5 Hr Horseback Ride
    36

Tours and Activities in Montego Bay

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:

  • Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
  • Dunn’s River Secret falls with Horse-back&Bamboo Raft Experience: $125
  • Falmouth Mystic from Montego Bay Luminous Lagoon Night Tour: $90
  • Luminous Lagoon Glow in the Dark Boat Tour from Montego Bay: $65
  • Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118
  • Private Dolphin Cove Adventure : $250
  • 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
  • 3 Hours Private Highlights Tour & Shopping in Montego Bay Jamaica: $100
  • 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
  • 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
  • ATV Adventure and Rick's Cafe Tour with Transportation: $238
  • ATV Jungle Safari Tour from Montego Bay: $125

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Coimbra 12
    Montego Bay 11

Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:

  • Port Wine Tasting in Coimbra: $72
  • Self-drive Wine Tour in Bairrada Region: $251

Sample the Local Flavors in Montego Bay

Also in Montego Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $39


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Coimbra and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Coimbra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Coimbra is in Europe and Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Coimbra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Coimbra 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 Montego Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montego Bay than you might in Coimbra.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Coimbra Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Montego Bay?

Coimbra has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Montego Bay, 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.


When is the best time to visit Coimbra or Montego Bay?

Coimbra has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montego Bay experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Coimbra or Montego Bay in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Montego Bay. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.

In July, Coimbra is generally cooler than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 23°C (73°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In the summer, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Montego Bay. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun.

Coimbra usually gets less rain in July than Montego Bay. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Coimbra 23°C (73°F) 
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Montego Bay in the Autumn?

Both Montego Bay and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Coimbra is cooler than Montego Bay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. Coimbra usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during autumn. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In October, Coimbra usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Coimbra 18°C (65°F) 
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Montego Bay in the Winter?

Both Montego Bay and Coimbra during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.

In the winter, Coimbra is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Coimbra in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Coimbra often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually gets more rain in January than Montego Bay. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Coimbra 11°C (51°F) 
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Montego Bay in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Montego Bay. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Coimbra is generally much colder than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 15°C (59°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay during spring. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Coimbra 15°C (59°F) 
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Coimbra

Coimbra Montego Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (51°F) 139 mm (5.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 12°C (53°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 13°C (56°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in) 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 18°C (65°F) 101 mm (4 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 128 mm (5 in) 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec 11°C (52°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)