Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Cuenca?
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 Cuenca 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 Cuenca?
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.
Cuenca
Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Cuenca $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $42. 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 Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Cuenca? 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 Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Cuenca $11
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
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Taxi Ride$2.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Cuenca: $47
- Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.: $104
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca 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 $84Cuenca $15
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
Typical Food Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:
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Lunch$10
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Snacks$5.00
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Empanada$1.50
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Hot Dog$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cuenca.
- Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
- Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
- Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour from Cuenca): $112
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Cuenca $16
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
- Private Shopping Tour in Montego Bay with Hotel Pickup: $35
- Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
- Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour: $35
- Skip the Line: Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden Admission Tickets: $35
- Shopping and Sightseeing Tour of Montego Bay City: $39
- Shopping and Sightseeing Local Guided Tour In Montego Bay: $40
- Bamboo Rafting, Hip-Strip & Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $40
- Montego Bay Walking Tour: $40
- Private Montego Bay Shopping Tour with Transportation: $45
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca, Ecuador Half-Day City Shared Tour: $25
- Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
- Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $30
- Private Cuenca City Tour including Turi Viewpoint: $40
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
- El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
- Experience Historical City Tour: $44
- City Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Cuenca, Ecuador Half-Day City Tour: $46
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $48
- Cuenca City Tour: $48
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Cuenca $14
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Cuenca, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Cuenca 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 Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca 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 Cuenca.
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 Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Cuenca?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Cuenca, 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 Cuenca?
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 Cuenca in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Cuenca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Montego Bay is a little warmer than Cuenca in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Cuenca in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Cuenca. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Cuenca. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Cuenca averages at about 12°C (54°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Cuenca in the Winter?
Both Cuenca 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 Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Cuenca can be very cold during winter. In January, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Cuenca in the Spring?
Both Cuenca 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 Cuenca year-round.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in April than Cuenca. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Montego Bay is much warmer than Cuenca in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 15 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.