Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Mar del Plata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mar del Plata or Kingston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Mar del Plata and Kingston can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Kingston?
Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata is found only 404 km southeast of the city of Buenos Aires, on the Atlantic coast. Today Mar Del Plata is Argentina‘s most well known beach resort. It has successfully married the two worlds of beach and city into a fun, cosmopolitan urban center with the presence of highly developed tourist infrastructure. Founded in 1874, Mar del Plata was at first mainly an industrial and commercial center before becoming a vacation destination for Argentinians. For a peaceful trip and intimate oceanfront promenades, avoid visiting Mar del Plata during summer time, as the gorgeous arced coastline will be crawling with visitors. But the city is more than just beaches. It also offers some culture, lively nightlife, and great food.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, and The Best Budget Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMar del Plata $8.78Kingston $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Mar del Plata is $8.78, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $109. 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 Mar del Plata and Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMar del Plata $3.15Kingston $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMar del Plata $6.30Kingston $128
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Mar del Plata or Kingston? 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: Mar del Plata Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mar del Plata $2.50Kingston $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $229
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $170
- Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $169
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
- Private Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios : $133
- Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127
Is it cheaper to fly into Mar del Plata or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston and Mar del Plata 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 dayMar del Plata $3.81Kingston $27
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mar del Plata $2.27Kingston $13
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dunn's River Falls Party Cruise, Blue Hole with Snorkeling, free beverages: $174
- 4x4 Jeep Safari & Blue Hole Adventure from Ocho Rios: $158
- Blue Hole and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $99
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Kingston: $231
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Runaway Bay: $142
- Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $83
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay: $258
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $370
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $320
- Bob Marley Museum and Kingston Sightseeing from Port Royal Cruise Port: $205
- Bob Marley's Mausoleum Tour : $167
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMar del Plata $1.78Kingston $11
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 Mar del Plata and Kingston, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Mar del Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mar del Plata is in South America and Kingston is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Mar del Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mar del Plata 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 Mar del Plata.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mar del Plata Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Kingston?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Mar del Plata. When comparing the sizes of Mar del Plata and Kingston, 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 Mar del Plata or Kingston?
Mar del Plata 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 Mar del Plata or Kingston in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as Kingston. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
In January, Mar del Plata is generally cooler than Kingstonin July. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 20°C (69°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mar del Plata this time of the year. In the summer, Mar del Plata often gets less sunshine than Kingstonin July. Mar del Plata gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun.
Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in January than Kingstonin July. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyMar del Plata 20°C (69°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Kingston in the Autumn?
Both Kingston and Mar del Plata are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Mar del Plata is much colder than Kingston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In April, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Kingstonin October. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberMar del Plata 15°C (59°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Kingston in the Winter?
Both Kingston and Mar del Plata during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.
In the winter, Mar del Plata is much colder than Kingston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mar del Plata in July average around 9°C (47°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.
Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in July than Kingstonin January. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMar del Plata 9°C (47°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Kingston in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and Kingston. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Mar del Plata is generally much colder than Kingstonin April. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 13°C (56°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. Mar del Plata usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during spring. Mar del Plata gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than Kingstonin April. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilMar del Plata 13°C (56°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Mar del Plata
| Mar del Plata | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (69°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (47°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (49°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 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.