Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City?
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 Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City?
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.
Guatemala City
Referred to by the locals as "Guate," Guatemala City is the largest and most modern city in Guatemala, as well as its capital. While the atmosphere of the place is big, dirty, and dangerous with city fumes and skyscrapers, it is the hub of the country. It is the place where travelers first step foot into Guatemala and, though it is a place of modern chaos, it does have some of the best galleries and museums as well as a selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesGuatemala City Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $259Guatemala City $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $259, while the average daily cost in Guatemala City is $56. 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 Guatemala City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102Guatemala City $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204Guatemala City $50
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Guatemala City
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Guatemala City? 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 Guatemala City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Guatemala City $6.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $9.75
- Hyatt Zillara or Ziva Rose Hall private Transfers: $10
- Airport transfer, Private Taxi Montego Bay: $10
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Private Transfers: MBJ Airport ↔ RIU Montego Bay, Palace & Reggae: $13
- El Greco Resort Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Private Airport Transfer to Sandals Montego: $13
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to any Resort in Montego Bay: $14
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay: $14
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Montego Bay Hotels: $14
- Riu reggae, palace & montego Bay Hotels Private Airport Transfer: $14
- Dreams Rose Hall Resort and Spa Private Airport Transfer: $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- One way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $24
- Private Departure Transfer:Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport(GUA): $24
- Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $25
- Private Airport Transfer from Guatemala to La Aurora airport: $25
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City Airpot(GUA) to Antigua Guatemala: $29
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Antigua: $30
- Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $30
- Private Transfer from Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $32
- La Aurora Airport (GUA): One-Way Private Transfer to Antigua: $32
- Private Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer: La Aurora International Airport to Antigua Hotel: $35
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City ⇄ Antigua – One-Way: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Guatemala City?
Prices for flights to both Guatemala City 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 $142Guatemala City $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour: $40
- Lunch or Dinner with Pickup from Montego Bay: $45
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
- Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $95
- Sunset Dinner at Bamboo Beach Club: $99
- Glistening Bioluminescent Waters and Dinner at Jerk hut: $105
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $130
- The Local Lime- Montego Bay Dinner and/or Nightlife Tour: $149
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer: $150
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.
- Cooking Experience in Guatemala from Market to Table: $23
- Guatemala: Wine and Pizza Tasting Experience: $35
- Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class: $80
- Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
- Food Tour Zona 4: Dinner Date Experience: $125
- Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188
- Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza with Great Volcano Views: $205
- Pacaya Volcano. Tour and pizza making on Volcanic Heat: $275
- Puerto Quetzal: Private Tour Pacaya Volcano 4x4 and Pizza: $550
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Guatemala City $1.23
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$37
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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:
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- Montego Bay City highlight And Souvenir Shopping Group Tour: $20
- Shopping Tour for Whitter Village Mall Private / Charted Air Conditioned Taxi: $20
- Carnival Cruise Ship in Montego Bay to Great River & Hip strip: $20
- Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Hip Strip Private Tour: $22
- Bamboo Rafting and Jamaican Village Experience: $25
- Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
- Doctors Cave Beach Roundtrip Tour in Montego Bay: $30
- Bamboo Rafting Experience in Jamaica: $35
- Street Executive Tours And Chauffeur Service Jamaica: $35
- Bamboo Rafting, Hip-Strip & Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $38
- Private Tour of Montego Bay City and Gift Shopping: $38
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City: $20
- Historic Center Walking Tour; Art and History: $27
- Volcano-Grown Coffee Tasting Experience: $28
- Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $34
- Walking Tour of Guatemala City's Historical Center: $35
- Walking Tour: $35
- Guatemala city walking tour everyday 2 persons and up: $39
- Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $40
- Guatemala City Express: Half-day city tour: $45
- Antigua Guatemala Express Half Day Colonial Charm Tour: $45
- City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47
- Night Photo Tour in Guatemala City: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Guatemala City $6.97
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: $250
- Montego Bay Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $255
Sample the Local Flavors in Guatemala City
Also in Guatemala City, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Guatemala City Legends Tour + Craft Beers at El Cadejo Brewery: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Guatemala City, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City.
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 Guatemala City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Guatemala City?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Guatemala City, 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.