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

Should you visit Kingston or Paracas?

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

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

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.

Paracas

Paracas, also known as El Chaco, is a resort town on the Southern coast of the country, about 150 miles south of Lima. The town in located in one of the oldest regions of Peru, with a history dating back to 900 BC and offers many pre-Inca cultural sites throughout the area. Paracas is possibly best known for being home to the Paracas National Reserve, a nature reserve boasting one of the most abundant and diverse ecosystems in the world.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Paracas 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 Paracas is $87. 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 Paracas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $62
    Paracas $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $124
    Paracas $50
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Paracas

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Paracas? 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 Paracas


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 Paracas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $29
    Paracas $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Airport /Hotel Transfer Norman Manley airport and Montego bay: $40
  • Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfer to Ocho Rios Airbnb Home, Resorts: $133
  • From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay: $69
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Negril: $79
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
  • Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
  • Jamaica Airport Transfers and Tours: $40
  • Airport transfers One Way to all hotels - private: $79
  • Kingston Airport Transfers Private Taxi Service***: $25
  • Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $167

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:

  • Bus Station Private Transfer: $24
  • Candelabro Geoglyph Kayak Tour with hotel transfer: $130
  • National Reserve Guided Tour with Transfers: $22
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $218
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $218

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Paracas?

Prices for flights to both Paracas 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
    Paracas $44

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paracas

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

  • Hidden Gems of Pisco: Food Tour & Tuk-Tuk Adventure: $60

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $12
    Paracas $27

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
  • Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
  • Bunny Lee Museum and Recording Studio Admission Ticket: $30
  • Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
  • Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
  • Rhythmic Walking Music Tour: $40
  • Guided Bar Hopping Tour with VIP Speakeasy Entry: $40
  • Judgement Yard Tour: $50
  • Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion Studio Tour: $50
  • Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios: $62
  • Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
  • Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64

Tours and Activities in Paracas

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

  • From Ballestas Islands Boat Tour with Guide: $13
  • Paracas National Reserve Group Tour from Paracas: $15
  • Ballestas Islands and Candelabro Boat Tour: $15
  • From Guided boat tour to the Ballestas Islands: $15
  • Tourist Transport Ticket from Paracas to Huacachina: $15
  • From Speedboat Tour to the Ballestas Islands: $16
  • BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $16
  • Ballestas Island Boat tour from Paracas: $16
  • Ballestas Islands Morning Boat Tour: $17
  • Ballestas Islands Guided Boat Tour: $17
  • Explore the National Reserve: Guided Tour with Transportation: $18
  • Full Experience to the Ballestas Islands Guided Tour: $18

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Paracas $12

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 Paracas, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Paracas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Paracas 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 Paracas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Paracas 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 Paracas.

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


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Paracas?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 780 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Paracas, 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.