Which place is cheaper, Cartagena 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 Cartagena?
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 Cartagena 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 Cartagena?
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.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesCartagena Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $260Cartagena $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $260, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $58. 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 Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102Cartagena $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204Cartagena $56
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Cartagena? 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 Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Cartagena $7.90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- 2727lounge/Magarativille/Pier1 & taboo nightlife private transfer: $45
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Resort: $45
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to any Resort in Montego Bay: $14
- Airport (MBJ) Round Trip Transfer in Montego Bay: $60
- Airport - Ocho Rios Hotels Transfers and Returns: $260
- 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 Transfer: $80
- Airport Transfer From Kingston: $200
- Airport Transfer MBJ Montego Bay to Kingston: $150
- Airport Transfer Negril Hotels: $130
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Airport Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $7.00
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Getsemani: $11
- Transfer airport - old city (walled city /center): $11
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG): $11
- Private Transfer to Cartagena Airport (CTG): $11
- Airport Transfer to Cartagena Hotels: $12
- Transfer from Cartagena hotels to the airport: $12
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Manga: $12
- Airport Private Transfer to Hotel in the urban City: $12
- Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Laguito: $14
- Rafael Nuñez Airport One Way Transfer: $14
- Transfer from the transport terminal to the hotel: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena 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 $142Cartagena $18
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
- Dinner or Lunch with Pickup from Montego Bay: $50
- Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour: $50
- Street Food Tour in Montego Bay: $59
- Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $95
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $117
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $135
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Food Tour History °Cafe Cartagena Tasting: $36
- Flavors of Street Food Tour w/ Authentic Tastings: $37
- Flavors of Street Food Tour w/ Flavorful Tastings: $37
- FLAVORS OF STREET FOOD TOUR w/ MOUTHWATERING TASTINGS: $39
- Traditional cooking class in a restaurant in the historic center: $40
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $42
- Cooking Class In A Real Restaurant At Old City: $43
- Street Food Tour - 6 Language Options: $52
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $52
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $53
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $54
- Cartagena Bay White Night Tour with Outdoor Bar and Dinner: $58
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Cartagena $22
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:
- Souvenirs and Gift shopping Tour in Montego Bay: $20
- Lethe Rafting And Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $20
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Hip Strip Private Tour: $22
- Cinnamon Hill Great House Tour: Home of Johnny Cash: $23
- Night Life Tour in Montego Bay with complimentary section: $25
- Montego Bay Cruise Ship Port to Doctor's Cave Beach and City Tour: $29
- Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
- Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
- Private Tour Souvenir Shopping in Montego Bay: $30
- Ricks Cafe and Negril Seven Miles Beach Irie Tour: $35
- Bob Marley 9 Mile Tour Admission: $35
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $6.72
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of San Diego Neighborhood Tour: $11
- Freetour Cartagena and Gethsemane, Caribbean Heritage and Tradition: $12
- CITY TOUR OVERVIEW of the city Boots castle chiva: $12
- Historic Center & Getsemaní Shared Tour in Cartagena: $13
- Historic Center and Getsemaní Shared Walking Tour: $14
- Gabriel Garcia Marquez Shared Tour: the magical Cartagena: $15
- Walled Group Tour with Live Audio System: $15
- Tour Compartido al Castillo San Felipe de Barajas Cartagena: $15
- Tour Compartido de Gabriel García Marquez en Cartagena: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Cartagena $9.71
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 Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $255
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Centro Histórico Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $14
- Group Night Experience: Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Getsemaní Pub Crawl with Shots and Dance Class: $24
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $24
- Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $26
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $28
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $40
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena: $45
- Ultimate Party Combo Cartagena Sunset Boat Party & Pub Crawl: $51
- Pub Crawl: $70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Cartagena, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Cartagena is in South 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 Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Cartagena.
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 Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Cartagena, 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 Cartagena?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Montego Bay or Cartagena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Cartagena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cartagena. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Cartagena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Cartagena. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Cartagena. Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Cartagena in the Winter?
Both Cartagena 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. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay is generally cooler than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Cartagena in the Spring?
Both Cartagena 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay is cooler than Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 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.