Which place is cheaper, Big Sur or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Kingston or Big Sur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Big Sur, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Kingston or Big Sur?
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
Big Sur
Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.
However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.
While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesBig Sur Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $125Big Sur $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $125, while the average daily cost in Big Sur is $0.00. 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 Kingston and Big Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $63Big Sur $165
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $126Big Sur $330
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Big Sur
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Big Sur? 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.
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: Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $29Big Sur -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Montego Bay: 5-Day Jamaica Tour with Meals and Transfers: $2,200
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Cruise Port to Kingston Hotels: $261
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Montego Bay Port: $261
- Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston: $259
- Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Moon Palace Jamaica Grande: $200
- Kingston Airport to & From Sandals Ocho Rios Transfer: $200
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Hilton Rose Hall: $187
- Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Big Sur?
Prices for flights to both Big Sur and Kingston 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
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Food Meals for one dayKingston $45Big Sur -
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Big Sur -
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Outback Adventure from Kingston: $288
- Art Walk, Bob Marley Museum Kingston City Tour: $130
- Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Kingston: $231
- Blue Mountain Coffee Tasting & Farm Tour from Kingston: $150
- Blue Mountain Craighton Estate Coffee Tasting Tour / Devon House: $180
- Blue Mountain Waterfall and Sightseeing Ecotour: $200
- Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
- Bluehole, Dunn's River Falls and Port Royal all in one tour: $690
- Bob Marley Guided City Tour: $95
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston Hotels: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Big Sur -
Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:
- Worthy Park Estate Rum Distillery Tour with Tasting: $144
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Big Sur, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Big Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Big Sur is in North America, 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 Big Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Sur 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 Kingston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kingston than you might in Big Sur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kingston Expensive? and Is Big Sur Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kingston or Big Sur?
Big Sur has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kingston experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kingston or Big Sur in the Summer?
Both Big Sur and Kingston during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Kingston is much warmer than Big Sur in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Big Sur fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
Kingston usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Big Sur 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Big Sur in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Big Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year.
In the autumn, Kingston is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Big Sur averages at about 62°F (17°C).
Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Big Sur 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Big Sur in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Big Sur. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Big Sur for the cuisine.
In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Big Sur. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Big Sur 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Big Sur in the Spring?
Both Big Sur and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Big Sur in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Kingston is much warmer than Big Sur in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Big Sur fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).
In April, Kingston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Big Sur. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Big Sur 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Big Sur and Kingston
| Kingston | Big Sur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.