Which place is cheaper, Playa del Carmen or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kingston or Playa del Carmen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Playa del Carmen, 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 Playa del Carmen?
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.
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula. It's a popular resort town and is about seventy kilometers south of Cancun. It has a European atmosphere with many small hotels and a nice relaxed feel. It was originally a small fishing town but tourism began with the introduction of a passenger ferry to Cozumel. The area developed rapidly and there are many luxury hotels, condos, and resorts. There are also American chains and a variety of shopping opportunities nearby.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $109Playa del Carmen $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, while the average daily cost in Playa del Carmen is $81. 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 Playa del Carmen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $64Playa del Carmen $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $128Playa del Carmen $80
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Playa del Carmen
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Playa del Carmen? 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 and Playa del Carmen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $30Playa del Carmen $24
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Cancun International Airport From/to Akumal - Private Transfer: $130
- Transfer in Private vehicle from Xcaret - Cancun Airport (CUN): $88
- 2x1 Tour: Isla Contoy, Isla Mujeres, Open Bar, Lunch and Transfers: $190
- Access to Xel-Há Park with Transfer: $145
- Airport Transfers to Playa del Carmen - Private van (ROUND TRIP) FLAT RATE: $227
- Akumal to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Akumal to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $77
- Amazing ATV (single) Cenote and Ziplines with Transfer from Playa del Carmen: $80
- CUN Airport One-Way/Round-Trip Transfers to Playa del Carmen: $115
- Cancún Airport Transfer to Playa del Carmen One Way: $118
- Cancun Airport Private Transfer One Way: To or From Akumal area Up to 03 Pass.: $105
- Cancun Airport Round Trip transfer to Puerto Aventuras: $190
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Playa del Carmen?
Prices for flights to both Playa del Carmen 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 $27Playa del Carmen $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Playa del Carmen
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Playa del Carmen.
- Cenotes by Bike and Mayan Cooking Class Half-Day Guided Tour: $60
- Walking Food Tour: $65
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $77
- Mexican Cooking Class: $100
- Seafood Tour in Playa del Carmen: $101
- PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $104
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Playa del Carmen: $120
- Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120
- Cultural Coba Sunset Adventure with Dinner and show from Cancun: $130
- Sunset Adventure in Coba and Dinner with Show from Riviera Maya: $155
- Riviera Maya: Sunset Cruise with Beach Dinner and Open Bar: $157
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $13Playa del Carmen $17
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
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Shopping Tour & Tulum Mayan Ruins: $11
- Cancun Airport: Bus Ticket to/from Playa del Carmen: $14
- Tulum Ruins: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map: $15
- Ek Balam: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map: $15
- Riviera Maya: Frida Kahlo Museum Guided Tour 2024: $20
- YAL-KÚ Park in Riviera Maya Admission Ticket: $23
- Chichen Itza and Cenote Full Day Tour from Playa del Carmen: $28
- Ultramar Ferry, Regular round ticket, Playa del Carmen-Cozumel: $32
- Tulum and 2 Cenotes Half Day Tour from Riviera: $34
- Round-Trip Ferry Ticket to/from Cozumel: $35
- Mayan tour 4x1: Tulum, Cobá, Cenote & Playa del carmen: $35
- Tulum Ruins and Amusement Park Shared Tour: $37
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Playa del Carmen $21
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 Playa del Carmen, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kingston Expensive? and Is Playa del Carmen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Playa del Carmen?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Playa del Carmen, 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 Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen in the Summer?
Both Playa del Carmen and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Kingston is around the same temperature as Playa del Carmen in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Playa del Carmen during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Carmen receives 223 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Playa del Carmen. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Playa del Carmen 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Playa del Carmen in the Autumn?
Both Playa del Carmen 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Kingston is around the same temperature as Playa del Carmen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Playa del Carmen averages at about 26°C (79°F).
In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the autumn, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Playa del Carmen. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Carmen receives 233 hours of full sun.
Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Playa del Carmen. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Playa del Carmen 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Playa del Carmen in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Playa del Carmen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year.
In January, Kingston is generally a little warmer than Playa del Carmen. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Playa del Carmen during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Carmen receives 224 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Kingston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Playa del Carmen. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Playa del Carmen 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Playa del Carmen in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Playa del Carmen. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Kingston is around the same temperature as Playa del Carmen in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the spring, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Playa del Carmen. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Carmen receives 259 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets more rain in April than Playa del Carmen. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Playa del Carmen 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Playa del Carmen and Kingston
| Kingston | Playa del Carmen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
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.