Which place is cheaper, Roatan or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kingston or Roatan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Roatan, 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 Roatan?
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.
Roatan
Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.
-
Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesRoatan Prices
Honduras Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $126Roatan $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $126, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $42. 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 Roatan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $63Roatan $10
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $126Roatan $20
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Roatan
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Roatan? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $29Roatan $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
- Airport Transfers from Kingston.: $24
- Kingston Airport Transfers Private Taxi Service***: $25
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $25
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
- Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
- Jamaica Airport Transfers and Tours: $40
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $48
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay: $69
- Private Kingston Airport Transfer: $70
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
-
Water Taxi$3.92
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
- Airport, Hotel or Cruise Port, Ferry Roatan Private Transfer: $35
- Catch a ride to West Bay & back to Port, Hotel, or Airport (Roundtrip Transfer): $75
- Catch a ride to West End & back to Port, Hotel or Airport (Roundtrip Transfer): $60
- Discover Scuba Diving in Roatan at Upachaya with Private Transfer: $150
- Horseback Riding, Beach with Palapa and Transfer: $130
- King Kong Extreme Zipline, Hiking, Beach Break plus Transfer Included: $130
- Let's Go Native Roatan City Cultural Tour, Transfer: $80
- Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan - Arrival Private Transfer: $56
- Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $122
- Mayan Eden Eco Park, Chocolate Factory & Transfer: $59
- Mayan Eden Eco Wildlife Park, City Tour & Private Transfer: $67
- Parasailing, Beach Break, Chocolate Factory with Transfer: $155
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Roatan?
Prices for flights to both Roatan 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 dayKingston $45Roatan $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.
- Roatan Cooking Class and Cultural Experience: $125
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Roatan $25
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
- Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion Studio Tour: $50
- Judgement Yard Tour: $50
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Cultural Walking Tour of Kingston: $65
- Tour a Jamaican Farm: $70
Tours and Activities in Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
- Organized trips and adventures: $26
- Roatan Fun Bus Group Sightseeing Island Private Tour: $36
- Roatan Island Tours, Sightseeing and Shopping Adventures: $39
- Private Customize Roatán Island Tour chocolate Rum local guide: $43
- Roatan Private and Public Snorkel Tours at West Bay Beach: $45
- Roatan Island Tours, Nature Parks, Attractions by Land & Sea: $45
- Roatan Zipline & Eco walk/Suspension Bridge Combo Tours: $45
- Customizable Best Of Roatan Island Tour in Honduras: $45
- Roatan Jungle Top Wildlife Guided Eco-Park Tour: $45
- Roatan VIP island tour in Honduras: $45
- Private Roatan Sightseeing Tour: $49
- Roatan private customizable Tour chocolate Rum History: $50
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Roatan $6.50
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 Roatan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:
- Half-Day Tour in Roatan With Brewery, Rum and Chocolate Factories visit: $46
- Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80
- Roatan ATV Adventure, Island Tour and Craft Brewery Experience: $130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Roatan, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Roatan is in Central 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 Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Roatan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kingston Expensive? and Is Roatan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Roatan?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Roatan, 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.