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 €226. 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 89
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Coimbra 88
    Montego Bay 178
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 13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra

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

  • Transfer Fátima To Lisboa: $139
  • Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $156
  • Transfer Viseu - Porto: $167
  • Transfer from Lisboa to Coimbra with visit to Fátima Sanctuary, half day: $196
  • Private transfer from/to Fátima - Porto, Braga or Guimarães: $207

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • luxury VIP Airport Transfer to RIU Palace, Reggae,Montego bay: $140
  • Zoetry Montego Bay Airport Transfers MBJ (Private Roundtrip Exclusive): $180
  • VIP Luxury Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay/ Falmouth: $74
  • Tryall / Round Hill - Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $107
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Montego Bay APT-HTL (MBJ): $37
  • Transfers from Montego Bay Airport to Negril: $53
  • Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Iberostar zone: $64
  • The Spa Retreat Boutique Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $50
  • Sunset at the Palm Private Negril Airport Transfer: $52
  • Sunscape Resorts Montego Bay Private Airport Transfers: $25
  • Silver Sands Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $53
  • Secrets and Breathless Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer: $20

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 124

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra

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

  • Erotic Cabaret Show and Dinner: $64
  • Bairrada Food Tour: $115

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay

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

  • Lunch or Dinner Dining Experience in Montego Bay: $40
  • Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour: $50
  • Dinner or Lunch with Pickup from Montego Bay: $50
  • Sunset Dinner at Bamboo Beach Club: $99
  • Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $117
  • 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
  • Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $135
  • Dinner or lunch at pier one Montego bay Food Tour: $144
  • Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
  • Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer: $150
  • Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
  • Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Coimbra 18
    Montego Bay 28

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 & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.47
  • Coimbra’s Jewish Heritage An Audio Tour of the Medieval Town: $5.00
  • Tomar Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.10
  • Leiria Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.10
  • Coimbra Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.80
  • Coimbra Top Attractions Walking Tour: $5.80
  • TOP Coimbra : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $5.80
  • Highlights Walking Tour With a Certified Guide: $5.82
  • Kings, Scholars and Rebels Self Guided Tour of Coimbra: $6.30
  • Coimbra Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h25 and 25 Audio Comments: $6.84
  • Coimbra’s Timeless Tracks: An Enchanting Train Tour: $8.73
  • Shepherds and Secrets: Audio Tour of Fátima’s Sacred Sites: $9.99

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
    2.34
  • Snorkeling Trip
    16
  • One Tank Dive
    33
  • 1.5 Hr Horseback Ride
    37

Tours and Activities in Montego Bay

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

  • 1 Hour Efoil Experience in Montego Bay: $150
  • 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
  • 27/27 Lounge, Pier 1 & Margaritaville Nightlife Tour In Jamaica: $80
  • 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
  • 3-Hour Private Tour in the Highlights of Montego Bay: $58
  • 4 Hours Private Night Life Experience in Montego Bay: $66
  • 5 Hour Private Tour at Negril Beach and Rick's Cafe: $150
  • 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
  • ATV & Bamboo Rafting Guided Tour In Jamaica: $295
  • ATV & Horseback Ride Guided Tour in Jamaica: $66
  • ATV & Horseback Riding combo tour Montego Bay with Pickup: $190
  • ATV Adventure: $225

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:

  • Guided Wine Tasting with Regional Bites: $31
  • Coimbra Food and Wine Tasting Private Guided Walk: $41
  • Wine Tasting and Scenic Tour in Bairrada: $103

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)