Which place is cheaper, Ensenada or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Ensenada?
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 Ensenada 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 Ensenada?
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.
Ensenada
Ensenada is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, south of Tijuana. It's the only deep water port in the state of Baja California and as such, it is an important commerical fishing port as well as a cruise ship destination. The city has a population of almost 500,000 and is located just 78 miles south of San Diego. The city sits between the ocean and a small mountain range. The surrounding area is known for its wine production, which produces some of the best wine in Mexico.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Ensenada $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Ensenada is $99. 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 Ensenada in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Ensenada $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Ensenada $94
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Ensenada
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Ensenada? 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 Ensenada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Ensenada $21
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 Ensenada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ensenada:
- Transfer: From Tijuana to Valle de Guadalupe & Ensenada: $409
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Ensenada?
Prices for flights to both Ensenada 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 $84Ensenada $39
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Ensenada $11
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 Ensenada
Here are a few actual costs in Ensenada for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Rondo del Valley Winery Tour with 5 Tastings: $26
- Tasting of 5 wines and tour: $30
- Lavender Field Guided Tour: $34
- Lavender Field Guided Tour: $37
- From La Bufadora Geyser Tour: $39
- Ensenada : The unique bufadora private tour: $39
- Tacos, Brews and Views Tour : $40
- Private La Bufadora Tour (blowhole): $41
- La Bufadora Tour in Baja California: $42
- The Bufadora private Tour: $44
- Las Cañadas Canopy Tour in Ensenada: $52
- City tour on electric horse wagon.: $58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Ensenada $11
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 Ensenada
Also in Ensenada, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tasting Experience in Maglén: $29
- Xecue Wine Tasting in the Guadalupe Valley: $39
- Wine tour valley of guadalupe: $60
- Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tasting Tour: $78
- From Wine Tasting at Guadalupe Valley Ensenada: $87
- From Ojos Negros Valley Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour: $97
- Wine Tasting Tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $115
- Private Wine Tour at Valle de Guadalupe (A wine tasting included).: $119
- wine tours and driver service through valle de guadalupe, Ensenada B.C. Mexico: $135
- Wine tasting tour for Cruise Ship Visitors. All Inclusive!: $199
- Private and custom group Wine tour Valle de Guadalupe : $220
- Valle Experience by Ansell Wine Tours: $270
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Ensenada, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Ensenada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Ensenada is in North 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 Ensenada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ensenada 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 Ensenada.
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 Ensenada Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Ensenada?
Ensenada has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Ensenada, 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.