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

Should you visit Kingston or Huaraz?

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

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

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.

Huaraz

Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Huaraz or Kingston?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, while the average daily cost in Huaraz is $50. 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 Huaraz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $64
    Huaraz $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $128
    Huaraz $40
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Huaraz

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Huaraz? 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 Huaraz


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 Huaraz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $30
    Huaraz $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
  • 10. Norman Manley Intl Kingston Airport Fun-Transfer to/from Montego Bay Resorts: $125
  • Airport Transfer Norman Manley international airport: $30
  • Airport Transfer in Kingston: $50
  • All Island Private Transfer To/From Kingston Airport (KIN): $22
  • From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
  • Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $169
  • Kingston Airport Taxi Transfers Private ***: $47
  • Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127
  • Kingston International Airport Jamaica - Private Arrival or Depature transfer : $73
  • Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
  • Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $170

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.17

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Huaraz?

Prices for flights to both Huaraz 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 $27
    Huaraz $18

Typical Food Prices in Huaraz

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:


  • Lunch
    $5.97
  • Chips
    $1.49

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $13
    Huaraz $19

Tours and Activities in Kingston

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

  • Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
  • Montego Bay: All inclusive tours: $30
  • Cannabis Shopping Tour with Lunch: $50
  • Ocho Rios Shore Excursion: Bus Tour of Ocho Rios, Fern Gully and Turtle Beach: $62
  • Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
  • Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
  • Tour a Jamaican Farm: $70
  • Kingston Half Day Community and Art Tour: $70
  • Kingston City Tour (starting in Kingston): $72
  • Shared Tour: Irie Blue Hole & Secret Falls Adventure Tour from Ocho Rios: $73
  • Friday Evening Kingston Harbour Cruise, Sunday Beach Cruise or Charter Our Boats: $75
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $81

Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz

Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Climbing Gear
    $17

Tours and Activities in Huaraz

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

  • Traditional Picante de Cuy Gastronomy Tour in Huaraz: $15
  • 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
  • Glacier Pastoruri and Puya Raimondi Full Day Tour: $28
  • Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $30
  • From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
  • From Tour to Llanganuco Lakes (Chinancocha Lake): $37
  • From Tour to Archeological Complex of Chavin: $38
  • Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
  • Lake 69 Full-Day Hiking Tour from Huaraz: $40
  • From Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $46
  • From Chavín de Huantar fullday tour: $56
  • From Llanganuco Lagoon fullday tour: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Huaraz $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston

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

  • Ocho Rios Pub Crawl and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $185


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Huaraz, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Huaraz is in South 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 Huaraz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huaraz 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 Huaraz.

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


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Huaraz?

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

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Kingston or Huaraz in the Summer?

Both Huaraz and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Huaraz because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Huaraz. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

The weather in Huaraz can be very cold. In the summer, Kingston is much warmer than Huaraz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Huaraz averages at about 3°C (37°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Huaraz 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Huaraz in the Autumn?

Both Huaraz and Kingston during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz year-round.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Huaraz. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite cold in Huaraz in the autumn. In October, Kingston is generally much warmer than Huaraz. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Huaraz fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Huaraz 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Huaraz in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Huaraz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Huaraz attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Huaraz receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Huaraz. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Kingston is much warmer than Huaraz in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Huaraz fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Huaraz 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Huaraz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Huaraz. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz throughout the year.

Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Huaraz. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the spring, Kingston is much warmer than Huaraz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Huaraz averages at about 6°C (43°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Huaraz 6°C (43°F)

Typical Weather for Huaraz and Kingston

Kingston Huaraz
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 7°C (45°F) 122 mm (4.8 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 7°C (45°F) 126 mm (5 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 6°C (43°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 5°C (41°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 3°C (37°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 3°C (37°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 4°C (39°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 6°C (43°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)