Which place is cheaper, Acapulco de Juarez or Montego Bay?
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 Montego Bay or Acapulco de Juarez?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montego Bay and Acapulco de Juarez can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Montego Bay or Acapulco de Juarez?
Montego Bay
As with most places around the tropical oasis of Jamaica, Montego Bay (or "MoBay") is an ideal place to visit for a Caribbean getaway. It is Jamaica's second largest city and the capital of St. James parish on the northern coast. Montego Bay is considered to be the tourist capital of the country and is where the largest airport is located, bringing in many international travelers.
Acapulco de Juarez
Located on the southwestern Pacific Coast of Mexico is the beautiful beach city of Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco is one of the original travel and resort destinations in Mexico, and it's still considered a popular spring break destination for Americans. Known as simply "Acapulco" to many travelers, this region is a popular spot for cruise lines to stop and timeshares to grow. Thanks to those cruise lines and timeshares, tourist activities like water parks and jet skis have experienced considerable growth.
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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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesAcapulco de Juarez Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $260Acapulco de Juarez $97
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $260, while the average daily cost in Acapulco de Juarez is $97. 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 Montego Bay and Acapulco de Juarez in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102Acapulco de Juarez $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204Acapulco de Juarez $76
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Acapulco de Juarez
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Acapulco de Juarez? 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: Montego Bay Hotel Prices and Acapulco de Juarez Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Acapulco de Juarez $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Resort: $45
- Airport (MBJ) Round Trip Transfer in Montego Bay: $60
- Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfers, to Montego Bay Airbnb & Resorts: $53
- Airport Private Round Trip Transfer: $30
- Airport Private Transfers from Montego Bay to Hilton Rose Hall: $21
- Airport Round Trip Transfer To Hotels in Montego Bay: $19
- Airport Transfer: $80
- Airport Transfer MBJ Montego Bay to Kingston: $150
- Airport Transfer Montego Bay Hotels: $120
- Airport Transfer To Grand Bahia Principe Hotel: $120
- Airport Transfer To Hotels In Ocho Rios (Round-trip): $170
- Airport Transfer To Iberostar Hotel: $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Acapulco de Juarez
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Acapulco de Juarez:
- Private Transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA): $13
- Shared Transfer to Acapulco Airport (ACA): $13
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA): $25
- Acapulco Airport Roundtrip Transfers: $75
- Acapulco Airport (ACA) to Acapulco hotels - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Acapulco de Juarez?
Prices for flights to both Acapulco de Juarez and Montego Bay 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 dayMontego Bay $142Acapulco de Juarez $48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Lunch or Dinner Dining Experience in Montego Bay: $40
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
- Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $95
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $130
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $130
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer: $150
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations: $175
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Authentic Jamaican Food Cooking Experience in the Countryside: $195
- PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $210
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Acapulco de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Acapulco de Juarez.
- Lucha Libre-Wrestling FiestaExper Taco Dinner Beer ONLY SUNDAYS: $82
- DeLuxe Cliff Divers Dinner + Sunset & City Tour: $86
- High Divers DeLuxe Three Course Dinner + Two Drinks plus SUNSET: $96
- La Quebrada Spectacular: Night City Tour & 3 Course Dinner 2 Show: $135
- Mexican Cooking Class & Market Tour with a Professional Chef: $161
- Super DeLuxe Bella Vista Dinner &1 Drink +2 Drinks at CliffDivers: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Acapulco de Juarez $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
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Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.69
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$38
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$43
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- Shopping Tour for Whitter Village Mall Private / Charted Air Conditioned Taxi: $20
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- Souvenirs and Gift shopping Tour in Montego Bay: $20
- Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Hip Strip Private Tour: $22
- Montego Bay Cruise Ship Port to Doctor's Cave Beach and City Tour: $29
- Private Tour Souvenir Shopping in Montego Bay: $30
- Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
- Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
- Half-Day Private Guided Ricks Café & Negril Seven Mile Beach Tour: $35
- Rose Hall Great House Day Tour: $40
- Montego Bay Walking Tour: $40
- Bamboo Rafting, Limestone Massage and Hip Strip Tour In Jamaica: $40
Tours and Activities in Acapulco de Juarez
Here are a few actual costs in Acapulco de Juarez for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kayaks Tour to El Morro Islet: $27
- 4 Hrs Exclusive to Cruise Ship Passengers Sightseeing Experience: $49
- Small-Group for Hotel Stays 4 Hours City Tour & Divers: $56
- 4Hrs City Tour Exclusively for Hotels, Divers, Chapel & Mural.: $59
- 4Hrs Small Group City Tour & High Divers Cruise Terminal Pickup: $60
- 4hr Fun Guide Tour For Cruisers or Hotels Guests with Divers Show: $61
- 4Hr City Tour for Cruisers or Hotels Mural, Chapel & High Divers: $64
- Acapulco City Tour: $69
- Tour Isla de la Roqueta Stand up paddle Acapulco: $71
- 6Hr Cruisers or Hotels High Diver Peace Chapel BabyTurtleRelease: $76
- Acapulco City Tour: $77
- 6Hr All Highlights Divers Turtles Release Cruise or Hotels Pickup: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Acapulco de Juarez $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Montego Bay
Also in Montego Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $39
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $231
- Montego Bay Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Acapulco de Juarez, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Acapulco de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Acapulco de Juarez 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 Acapulco de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Acapulco de Juarez 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 Montego Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montego Bay than you might in Acapulco de Juarez.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montego Bay Expensive? and Is Acapulco de Juarez Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Acapulco de Juarez?
Acapulco de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Acapulco de Juarez, 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 Montego Bay or Acapulco de Juarez?
Acapulco de Juarez has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montego Bay experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Montego Bay or Acapulco de Juarez in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Acapulco de Juarez. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, many visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Acapulco de Juarez. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Acapulco de Juarez averages at about 29°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Acapulco de Juarez this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Acapulco de Juarez during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.
Acapulco de Juarez receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Acapulco de Juarez. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Acapulco de Juarez 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Acapulco de Juarez in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Acapulco de Juarez. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez for the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Acapulco de Juarez. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Acapulco de Juarez fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Acapulco de Juarez. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 245 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Acapulco de Juarez. Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in October than Acapulco de Juarez. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Acapulco de Juarez 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Acapulco de Juarez in the Winter?
Both Acapulco de Juarez and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Acapulco de Juarez in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Acapulco de Juarez fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Acapulco de Juarez. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Acapulco de Juarez during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 272 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Acapulco de Juarez. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Acapulco de Juarez 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Acapulco de Juarez in the Spring?
Both Acapulco de Juarez and Montego Bay during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Acapulco de Juarez this time of year.
In the spring, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Acapulco de Juarez. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Acapulco de Juarez averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In Acapulco de Juarez, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Acapulco de Juarez. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 274 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in April than Acapulco de Juarez. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Acapulco de Juarez 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Acapulco de Juarez and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Acapulco de Juarez | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 271 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 341 mm (13.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 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.