Which place is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Puerto Vallarta, 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 Puerto Vallarta?
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.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta remains a popular tourist destination with Americans, particularly during spring break when students flock to the area. The area is quite beautiful and has many gorgeous beaches, interesting jungles and waterfalls nearby, and no shortage of luxury resorts and four star restaurants. Many of the locals speak English and are friendly and open to helping tourists with directions or general information. Puerto Vallarta's popularity means that its prices are some of the highest in Mexico, particularly during holidays when the area can get quite crowded.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesPuerto Vallarta Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $125Puerto Vallarta $136
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $125, while the average daily cost in Puerto Vallarta is $136. 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 Puerto Vallarta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $63Puerto Vallarta $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $126Puerto Vallarta $122
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Puerto Vallarta
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Puerto Vallarta? 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 Puerto Vallarta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $29Puerto Vallarta $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $25
- MBJ Airport Transfer to/ from Hotels: $25
- Kingston Airport Transfers Private Taxi Service***: $37
- Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
- Airport /Hotel Transfer Norman Manley airport and Montego bay: $40
- Kingston to Kingston Norman Manley Airport (KIN) - Departure Private Transfer: $41
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $43
- Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport To Ocho Rios Hotels: $45
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
- Private Airport Transfer of Norman Manley and Kingston Hotels: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:
- Airport Transfer Puerto Vallarta: $135
- Airport-Hotel Transfers: $112
- Mexico Private Transfer from Marina Vallarta to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Airport: $71
- NAYARIT VIP Round Trip Transfers Airport - Bucerias - Airport: $209
- PVR VIP Round Trip Transfers Airport - Mismaloya Area - Airport: $84
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers - Airport - Marina hotels - Airport: $49
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers - Airport - Zona Hotelera - Airport: $54
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers Airport - Downtown - Airport: $59
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers Airport - Old part of Town - Airport: $54
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers Airport from South PV to Airport: $79
- Privat Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport PVR to Punta de Mita: $180
- Private AC Airport Transfer to Sayulita: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Puerto Vallarta?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta 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 $45Puerto Vallarta $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Vallarta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Puerto Vallarta.
- Old Town Taco Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $49
- Ultimate Taco Tour in Puerto Vallarta with Vallarta Food Tours: $55
- Bucerias Taco Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Winner 2026 Downtown Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- 3-Hour Guided Food Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $59
- Taco102 - dinner taco walk - all inclusive: $63
- Versalles de Noche Dinner Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $79
- Mexican Cooking Class & Unlimited Margaritas: $85
- Live Mexican Cooking Class with Local Chef: $85
- Bucerias Bike and Food Tour: $90
- Cook Like a Local: Vallarta Market & Cooking Experience: $95
- Sayulita Tacos and Tequila Food Tour: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Puerto Vallarta $18
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
- 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
- Kingston Night Market Experience from Kingston: $55
- 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 Puerto Vallarta
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Vallarta are as follows:
- Puerto Vallarta Historical El Centro: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- City tour express, Butterfly, tequila, river and beach: $12
- Tequila Tasting Tour in Nuevo Vallarta: $13
- Puerto Vallarta Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $15
- Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour of Puerto Vallarta: $15
- Puerto Vallarta City Tour: $20
- Butterfly Experience Nature Park Admission: $23
- Private Bike City Tour with Photo Session in Puerto Vallarta: $24
- Immersive Experience & Tequila Tasting in Puerto Vallarta: $25
- Colomitos Adventure with Snorkeling Playas del Sur: $27
- Biocultural Hiking Experience in Sayulita: $27
- Butterfly Sanctuary & Museum Guided Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $28
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Puerto Vallarta $23
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 Puerto Vallarta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Puerto Vallarta:
- Puerto Vallarta Pub Crawl: $22
- Premium Tequila Tasting Puerto Vallarta Distillery: $24
- Brewery Bus Tour from Mexico: $85
- Secret Agave Bar Crawl in Vallarta: $98
- Cachasol Tequila Tasting & Raicilla Distillery Tour: $106
When comparing the travel costs between Kingston and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Puerto Vallarta?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Puerto Vallarta. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Puerto Vallarta, 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.
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.