A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kingston vs. Cozumel for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kingston or Cozumel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Cozumel, 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 Cozumel?

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.

Cozumel

Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Cozumel or Kingston?

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 Kingston is $125, while the average daily cost in Cozumel is $129. 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 Cozumel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $63
    Cozumel $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $126
    Cozumel $134
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Cozumel

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Cozumel? 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 Kingston


Hotels in Cozumel


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 and Cozumel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $29
    Cozumel $22

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
  • Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston: $260
  • Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
  • Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast: $240
  • Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
  • Private Transfers: Kingston Airport ↔ Montego Bay Area: $215
  • Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
  • Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Falmouth Port: $196
  • Private Transfer from Kingston hotel to Falmouth Cruise Port: $196
  • Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Hilton Rose Hall: $187

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel

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

  • ATV Adventure to Jade Cavern with transfer: $83
  • ATV tour to jade cavern with transfer (single or double): $55
  • Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $98
  • Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $149
  • Cozumel Airport to Hotel Private Transfer by Car: $24
  • Cozumel Cruise Port to Cozumel island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
  • Cozumel Cruise Port to Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
  • Cozumel Island Transfers: $300
  • Cozumel Jungle ATV Tour Adventure and Caverns with transfer: $65
  • Cozumel Mayan Experience And Beach Getaway with Transfer: $55
  • Atv Jungle Ride sin transfer: $49
  • Shared Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Cozumel?

Prices for flights to both Cozumel 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kingston $45
    Cozumel $39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel

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

  • Private Mexican Trompitos Cooking Class in Cozumel: $89
  • Kuza Beach & Flavors Experience-Mexican cooking Class & Beach Day: $89
  • Under the Stars Twilight Snorkel and Seaside Dinner at Money Bar: $90
  • Cozumel Food Tour: $90
  • Cozumel Cooking Class: $115

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $12
    Cozumel $42

Tours and Activities in Kingston

Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • ATV Adventure of Ocho Rios: $130
  • Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
  • Black River Safari Tour from Kingston: $272
  • 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, Devon House and Downtown Kingston Tour: $125

Tours and Activities in Cozumel

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.

  • Cozumel Historic Waterfront Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $9.75
  • Cozumel!! Guacamole And Margarita Fiesta!!! ( Virtual Experience): $12
  • Skip the Line: Admission Ticket to El Cedral Town and Mayan Temple: $16
  • Tequila History and Tasting Experience and Unlimited Beach Break: $25
  • Chankanaab Experience from Snack Bar Lindas: $27
  • Clear Boat Adventure and Snorkeling Tour Underwater World: $28
  • Snorkel into Heaven Palancar Columbia and El Cielo Experience: $29
  • Transparent Boat Experience Cozumel & Snorkeling on Colorful Reef: $29
  • Cozumel’s Mayan Journey: Dance, Rituals, and Tasting Tour: $29
  • Crystal Boat Trip and Snorkeling Tour from Cozumel: $29
  • Cozumel Snorkel Tour to El Cielo, Palancar and Columbia: $29
  • Crystal-clear Boat trip & Snorkeling tour: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Cozumel $11

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Cozumel

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cozumel:

  • Chocolate Seaside Workshop & Wine Tasting: $53
  • Downtown Cozumel and Brewery Experience: $89
  • Rum and Gin at Cozumel First Distillery: $99
  • Cozumel 5-Hour Private Bar Crawl Tour: $110
  • Cozumel Rum Tasting & Distillery Experience: $119


When comparing the travel costs between Kingston and Cozumel, we can see that Cozumel is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Cozumel is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Cozumel?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cozumel. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Cozumel, 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.