Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $48. 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 $104Cartagena $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Cartagena $54
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 $7.64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Airport Transfer To Hotels in Negril : $60
- Airport Transfer To S Hotel (Round-trip): $35
- Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels (Round-Trip): $54
- Airport Transfers to Iberostar Hotel (Round-trip): $53
- MBJ Airport Private Round Trip Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay Area: $27
- Riu Reggae , Riu Palace & Riu Mobay Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $11
- Round-Trip Transfer Airport Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay : $41
- Roundtrip Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Meliá Braco Hotel: $80
- Shared Airport Transfer To Montego Bay Hotels: $55
- 2727lounge/Magarativille/Pier1 & taboo nightlife private transfer: $35
- Airport Transfer To Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa: $60
- Airport Transfer to Excellence Oyster Bay and Royalton: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Morros: $7.81
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Cartagena: $7.81
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Getsemani: $7.81
- Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in Marbella: $7.81
- Transfer aeropuerto-centro: $8.02
- Cartagena Airport: Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: $10
- Cartagena:Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in the Bosque: $11
- Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Laguito: $11
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Castillogrande: $11
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Manga: $11
- Service private transfers Airport/Hotel and vice versa in Cartagena: $12
- Bilingual Private Transfer In Cartagena : $12
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 $84Cartagena $10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Private Transportation to DINNER or NIGHT CLUBS: $55
- Lunch or Dinner with Pickup from Montego Bay : $81
- Night cruise and swim the Falmouth Mystic Lagoon, Dinner and Rum Punch Inclusive: $85
- Rick’s Cafe Cliff Diving, Sunset & Dinner Tour with Transportation : $130
- Sunset Boat Ride in the Falmouth Luminous Lagoon swim and Dinner : $165
- Sunset Boat Cruise in Falmouth Luminous Lagoon, Swim and Dinner : $170
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Houseboat Restaurant and Grill for Dinner Private Transportation : $180
- Private Sea-Food Tour & Floyds Pelican Bar from Montego Bay or ..: $185
- [PRIVATE] Premium Jamaican Food Tour of Local Cuisine: $190
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $43
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
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$2.74
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$38
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$44
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- Greenwood Great House Entry Ticket: $20
- Cinnamon Hill Great House Tour - Home of Johnny Cash: $23
- Skip the Line: Rose Hall Great House & Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
- Private Shopping Tour in Montego Bay with Hotel Pickup: $35
- Skip the Line: Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden Admission Tickets: $35
- Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour: $35
- Shopping and Sightseeing Tour of Montego Bay City: $39
- Shopping and Sightseeing Local Guided Tour In Montego Bay: $40
- Montego Bay Walking Tour: $40
- Bamboo Rafting, Hip-Strip & Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $40
- Private Montego Bay Shopping Tour with Transportation: $45
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Totumo Mud Volcano Experience: $0.21
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.31
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.45
- Shared walking tour in the historic center: $9.02
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.23
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.52
- Shared Walking Tour through the Historic Center of Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
- Emerald Museum and Factory Tour: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Cartagena $9.39
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: $215
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $18
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $71
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.