Which place is cheaper, Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres?
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 Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres?
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.
Isla Mujeres
About eight miles from the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Isla Mujeres is an island in the Mexican Caribbean Sea. The town, of the same name, has a population of about 13,000. Tourism has grown in the area since the 1970s and today it is a significant part of the island's economy. As such, there are plenty of amenities that cater specifically to visitors. The island's proximity to Cuba make it a common transit point for Cubans in route to the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesIsla Mujeres Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $259Isla Mujeres $167
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $259, while the average daily cost in Isla Mujeres is $167. 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 Isla Mujeres in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102Isla Mujeres $72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204Isla Mujeres $144
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Isla Mujeres
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Isla Mujeres? 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 Isla Mujeres Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Isla Mujeres $32
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
- Airport transfer, Private Taxi Montego Bay: $10
- Hyatt Zillara or Ziva Rose Hall private Transfers: $10
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Private Transfers: MBJ Airport ↔ RIU Montego Bay, Palace & Reggae: $13
- El Greco Resort Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Grandiosa Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay: $14
- Dreams Rose Hall Resort and Spa Private Airport Transfer: $14
- Hyatt zilara or ziva EXCLUSIVE private airport transfer services: $14
- RIU Palace reggae and RIU Montego Bay private airport transfers: $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Isla Mujeres
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Isla Mujeres:
- Punta Sam / Isla Blanca to Cancún Airport (CUN)- Departure Private Transfer: $59
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Isla Mujeres?
Prices for flights to both Isla Mujeres 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 $142Isla Mujeres $73
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 with Pickup from Montego Bay: $45
- Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour: $50
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Isla Mujeres $19
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:
- Carnival Cruise Ship in Montego Bay to Great River & Hip strip: $20
- Shopping Tour for Whitter Village Mall Private / Charted Air Conditioned Taxi: $20
- Lethe Rafting And Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $20
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- Montego Bay Nightlife Tour with Private Transportation: $25
- Montego Bay Shopping Private Tour: $26
- VR Experience in Montego Bay: $30
- Montego Bay Private Shopping Tour with Hotel Pickup: $30
- Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
- Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
- Street Executive Tours And Chauffeur Service Jamaica: $35
- Bamboo Rafting Experience in Jamaica: $35
Tours and Activities in Isla Mujeres
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla Mujeres are as follows:
- Tour Isla Mujeres excursion in Collective Transparent Boat: $38
- Crystal Boat Tour to Isla Mujeres and Reefs: $39
- Excursion Crystal Boat Tour at the Caribbean: $41
- Transparent Boat Tour Isla Mujeres and Underwater Sightseeing: $52
- Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Adventure at the Underwater Museum: $59
- Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Tour Adventure: $63
- Snorkel Tour at Musa and Manchones Reef: $64
- Snorkeling tour at 3 spots, Underwater Museum and reefs!: $70
- Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Tour: $84
- 3 Hours VIP Semiprivate Tour Isla Mujeres Full Snorkeling Experience: $88
- MUSA and the Manchones Reef: 2 Tank Dive Tour: $125
- Contoy Island Tour with Untouched Paradise and Beach Day: $139
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Isla Mujeres $23
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Isla Mujeres, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Isla Mujeres much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres.
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 Isla Mujeres Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Isla Mujeres?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Isla Mujeres. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Isla Mujeres, 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.