Which place is cheaper, Boquete 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Montego Bay or Boquete?
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 Boquete 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 Boquete?
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.
Boquete
Boquete is a village located in the pacific west of Panama. This town very recently became an attractive destination for tourists and expatriates. Before the early 2000's, it was a quiet town hidden away in the mountains with very little tourism. After the development of Valle Escondido, which is a largely residential area, many North Americans flocked to this town and an expat community developed. Boquete is known for it's near perfect year round temperature of about seventy degrees Fahrenheit, beautiful untouched nature, and world renowned coffee.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.
-
Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesBoquete Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $258Boquete $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $258, while the average daily cost in Boquete is $67. 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 Boquete in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $101Boquete $23
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $202Boquete $46
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Boquete
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Boquete? 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 Boquete Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Boquete $5.22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- RIU Montego Bay or S Hotel Airport & Hotel Transfer: $8.80
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $9.75
- Montego Bay Airport Private Transfers to any Montego Bay Hotels: $10
- Hyatt Zillara or Ziva Rose Hall private Transfers: $10
- Breathless Resort Exclusive Private Airport Transfer: $10
- Private Airport Transfers from Montego Bay: $10
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Private Transfers: MBJ Airport ↔ RIU Montego Bay, Palace & Reggae: $13
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer: RIU Mobay, RIU Reggae & RIU Palace: $13
- Grandiosa Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
- El Greco Resort Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boquete
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boquete:
- Private transfer from Boquete to Bocas del Toro: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Boquete?
Prices for flights to both Boquete 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
-
Food Meals for one dayMontego Bay $141Boquete $32
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 with Pickup from Montego Bay: $45
- Montego Bay City and Food Tour All Inclusive Experience: $48
- Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour: $50
- Street Food Tour in Montego Bay: $59
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
- Luminous Lagoon Sunset Cruise, Dinner & Glowing Waters Swim: $95
- Bar Hopping & Local Food Tour-From Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios: $130
- The Local Lime- Montego Bay Dinner and/or Nightlife Tour: $149
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
- Dinner and Nightlife -From Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios: $150
- Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer: $150
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Boquete $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
-
Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.67
-
Snorkeling Trip$19
-
One Tank Dive$37
-
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:
- Carnival Cruise Ship in Montego Bay to Great River & Hip strip: $20
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- Lethe Rafting And Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $20
- Shopping Tour for Whitter Village Mall Private / Charted Air Conditioned Taxi: $20
- Blue Hole Adventure and Shopping Experience with Transportation: $20
- Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Hip Strip Private Tour: $22
- Montego Bay Nightlife Tour with Private Transportation: $25
- Montego Bay Shopping Private Tour: $26
- Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
- Rose Hall Great House and Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Montego Bay Private Shopping Tour with Hotel Pickup: $30
- VR Experience in Montego Bay: $30
Tours and Activities in Boquete
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boquete are as follows:
- Coffee Tasting Experience Los Molinos Hotel Panama's Top Product: $25
- Taste Panama Coffee Tasting Experience: $25
- Fun Adventure at Finca CreaDora Cafe and Animals and Hiking: $35
- Small, Hands-on Coffee Tour: $46
- Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
- Tubing Adventure on the Cochea River: $55
- Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
- Ancestral Coffee Experience in Boquete: $55
- Epic Cloud Forest Horseback Riding Adventure in Boquete: $55
- River Tubing - Fun and Nature Experience: $55
- Family experience in boiler Thermal wells and limestone: $65
- Private E-Bike Tour in Scenic Views & Coffee Farms: $75
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Boquete $4.45
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: $250
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Boquete, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Boquete much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Boquete 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 Boquete would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boquete 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 Boquete.
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 Boquete Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Boquete?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Boquete. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Boquete, 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.