Which place is cheaper, Cusco 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 Cusco?
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 Cusco 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 Cusco?
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.
Cusco
Cusco is most famous as the historic capital of the Inca Empire. It is in the southern Sierras and is one of the most popular travel destinations within Peru. The city is located at 3,400 meters above sea level so it is best to acclimate yourself slowly to avoid altitude sickness.
Cusco is the starting point for many travelers making their way to the famed Machu Picchu or other Inca sites in the surrounding area.
The city is very beautiful and has impressive architecture throughout. The history is obvious as you walk around town and there are impressive ruins nearby, with the most impressive being Sacsayhuaman. The city also has a significant indigenous population that is obvious from their traditional clothing and style.
Cusco has a subtropical highland climate with a pleasant daytime temperature year around. There are two distinct seasons with the dry season being between May and August and the wet season between December and March. During the dry season there is plenty of sun with occasional nighttime freezes. Frost is less common in the wet season.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesCusco Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $259Cusco $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $259, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $66. 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 Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102Cusco $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204Cusco $50
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Cusco? 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 Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Cusco $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Private Airport Transfers from Montego Bay: $8.70
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $9.75
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Grandiosa Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Sandals Royal Caribbean Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Private Transfer to Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach/Montego Beach: $13
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to any Resort in Montego Bay: $14
- Private Airport Transfer to S Hotel, SeaGarden, Royal Decameron: $14
- RIU Palace reggae and RIU Montego Bay private airport transfers: $14
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Montego Bay Hotels: $14
- Private Transfer From Montego Bay Airport to Hotel in Montego Bay: $14
- Private Airport Transfer To Riu Montego Bay, Palace & Reggae: $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:
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Taxi Ride$1.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- One-Way Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $7.00
- Private Transfer: Airport - Hotel in Cusco/Sacred Valley or VV: $9.00
- Cusco Airport Pickup and Transfer: $9.00
- One-Way Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $9.00
- Cusco Airport Shared Arrival Transfer: $9.50
- Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $9.50
- Peru Cusco Airport (CUZ) Private Transfer to Cusco City: $10
- Private Transfer from your Hotel in Cusco to the Airport: $11
- Private Airport Transfer to Hotel in Cusco City: $11
- Private Transfer from Cusco Airport to Hotels: $11
- Cusco Airport to hotel Transfer: Fast, Reliable Drop-Off: $12
- Private transfers from or to Cusco Airport: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco 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 $142Cusco $25
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
- Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $85
- 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
- Authentic Jamaican Cooking Experience in the Mountain from mobay: $210
- PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $210
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations: $231
- Glistening Waters, ATV ride in countryside and Dinner at Jerk hut: $250
- Private Martha Brae Raft and Luminous Lagoon Tour with Dinner: $270
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich$2.37
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Mango$0.59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.
- Cusco Tunupa Restaurant Folk Show with Dinner: $32
- Cooking Class: Lomo Saltado, Papa Huancaina, Pisco Sour in Cusco: $48
- Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $54
- High-End Peruvian Cooking Class, Pisco Sour & San Pedro Market: $57
- Short Immersion Cooking Class: $60
- Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco: $63
- Cooking Class in Ollantaytambo: $68
- Cooking Class Peruvian Culinary Experience with Local Chefs: $70
- Dinner Show at SUYU a Peruvian Gastronomic and Experience: $77
- Cusco Tour at Night: Planetarium, Dinner & Pisco Sour: $79
- Cusco Food Tour: Andean Cuisine & City Tour: $79
- Curious Monkey Cusco- Market and Streets, Walking Food Tour: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Cusco $32
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$2.68
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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:
- Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage: $20
- Souvenirs and Gift shopping Tour in Montego Bay: $20
- Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Hip Strip Private Tour: $22
- Cinnamon Hill Great House Tour: Home of Johnny Cash: $23
- Bamboo Rafting & Jamaican Village Experience: $25
- VR Experience in Montego Bay: $30
- Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
- Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
- Doctor Cave Beach and Hip Strip Shopping from Cruise Ship: $30
- Private Tour Souvenir Shopping in Montego Bay: $30
- Private Shopping Tour in Montego Bay with Hotel Pickup: $35
- Bob Marley 9 Mile Tour Admission: $35
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:
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Salsa Class$2.96
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- Discover Cusco with Guided Walking Tour: $5.00
- Cusco City Walking tour: Historia, Tradition, Culture: $5.00
- Cusco Self Guided Walking Tour Landmarks, Audio and Quiz: $8.23
- City Tour - Cusco: $10
- Cusco Walking tour and Koricancha Temple of the inkas tour: $10
- Cultural & Historic Walking Tour with Local Drinks: $10
- City tour Cusco Half day: $11
- Half-Day Cusco City Tour – Explore History, Culture & Inca Ruins: $12
- Half Day City Tour in Cusco: $12
- Explore Cusco Highlights in a Half Day City Tour: $12
- City Tour - Lugares destacado en Cusco + Experiencia Fotográfica: $12
- City Tour Cusco: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Cusco $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco
Also in Cusco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cusco Pub Crawl: Bar Tour, Drinks And Club with no waiting lines: $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Cusco, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Cusco 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 Cusco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cusco 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 Cusco.
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 Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Cusco?
Cusco has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Cusco, 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.