Which place is cheaper, Granada or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Montego Bay or Granada?
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 Granada 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 Granada?
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.
Granada
Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Granada $40
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Granada is $40. 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 Granada in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Granada $17
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Granada $34
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Granada
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Granada? 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 Granada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Granada $8.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $8.33
- Montego Bay Hotels Private Transfer : $10
- Montego Bay Hotels Private Airport Transfer : $10
- Riu Reggae , Riu Palace & Riu Mobay Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $11
- Private Transfer Sangster International Airport to Montego Bay: $12
- RIU Reggae Palace and RIU Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Private Airport Transfer to Sandals Montego : $13
- MBJ Airport: Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $14
- Private Airport Transfer to Half Moon - Holiday Inn - Zoetry: $14
- Private Airport Transfer to Breathless/ to Secrets Resort: $14
- Private Airport Transfer to Hyatt Ziva & Zilara to Jewel Grande: $14
- Relaxing Airport To Resort In Montego Bay Transfer: $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Granada:
- One-Way Private Transfer From/To Airport or Hotels in Granada: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Granada?
Prices for flights to both Granada 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
-
Food Meals for one dayMontego Bay $84Granada $14
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 Granada
Some typical examples of dining costs in Granada are as follows:
-
Pizza$2.29
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Granada $10
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
-
Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.74
-
Snorkeling Trip$19
-
One Tank Dive$38
-
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
- Skip the Line: Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden Admission Tickets: $35
- Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
- Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour: $35
- Shopping and Sightseeing Tour of Montego Bay City: $39
- Montego Bay Walking Tour: $40
- Shopping and Sightseeing Local Guided Tour In Montego Bay: $40
- Bamboo Rafting, Hip-Strip & Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $40
- Private Montego Bay Shopping Tour with Transportation: $45
Typical Entertainment Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Granada are as follows:
-
Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour$8.17
Tours and Activities in Granada
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Granada are as follows:
- Granada Kayak Tour: $30
- Colonial Granada Horse Carriage & Walking Tour: $35
- Paddle Boarding and Meditation Wellness Experience in Las Isletas: $39
- Las Isletas: Kayak Tour: $39
- Granada City Tour: $40
- Granada's City Tour: $40
- Las Isletas: Boat Tour: $45
- Masaya Night Tour Minimum 2 People from Granada: $45
- Las Isletas 2-Hour Kayak Adventure in Granada with Pickup: $48
- City Walking Tour and Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride: $50
- Full-Day Tour: Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60
- Experience Granadas Best Sights Carriage ride + Local Guide: $65
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Granada $7.50
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Granada
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Granada:
-
Tequila$1.36
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Granada, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Granada is in Central 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 Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 Granada.
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 Granada Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Granada?
Granada has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Granada, 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 Granada?
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 Granada in the Summer?
Both Granada and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Granada. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Granada. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Granada receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Granada during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Granada. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Granada averages at about 27°C (81°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Granada 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Granada in the Autumn?
Both Granada and Montego Bay during the autumn 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 Granada year-round.
Granada gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in October than Granada. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Granada receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Granada. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 195 hours of full sun.
In October, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Granada. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Granada fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Granada 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Granada in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Granada. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Granada attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Granada. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Granada receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Granada during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Granada in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Granada fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Granada 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Granada in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Granada. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Granada throughout the year.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in April than Granada. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Granada receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Granada. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 242 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Montego Bay is cooler than Granada. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Granada averages at about 29°C (84°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Granada 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Granada and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Granada | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.