Which place is cheaper, Leon 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 Leon?
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 Leon 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 Leon?
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.
Leon
Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.
With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesLeon Prices
Nicaragua Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $260Leon $68
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $260, while the average daily cost in Leon is $68. 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 Leon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102Leon $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204Leon $32
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Leon
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Leon? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Leon $1.51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- 2727lounge/Magarativille/Pier1 & taboo nightlife private transfer: $45
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to any Resort in Montego Bay: $14
- Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden Private Transfer: $97
- Airport (MBJ) Round Trip Transfer in Montego Bay: $60
- Airport - Ocho Rios Hotels Transfers and Returns: $260
- Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfers, to Montego Bay Airbnb & Resorts: $53
- Airport Private Round Trip Transfer: $30
- Airport Private Transfers from Montego Bay to Hilton Rose Hall: $21
- Airport Transfer: $80
- Airport Transfer MBJ Montego Bay to Kingston: $150
- Airport Transfer To Dreams Rose Hall: $60
- Airport Transfer To Grand Bahia Principe Hotel: $120
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leon:
- From Granada: One way shared transfer to San Jorge: $39
- San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Leon: $57
- From San Jorge: One way shared transfer to Leon: $57
- One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $57
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Leon?
Prices for flights to both Leon 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 $142Leon $21
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: $50
- Dinner or Lunch with Pickup from Montego Bay: $50
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
- Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $95
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $130
- Dinner or lunch at pier one Montego bay Food Tour: $144
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations: $175
- Authentic Jamaican Cooking Experience in the Mountain from mobay: $210
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leon.
- Tlakualli Food Tour: $25
- Nicaraguan Food Cooking Workshop & Market Tour: $40
- Cooking Class Private Tour: $55
- Nicaraguan Cooking Class with a Local Family at Leon City: $60
- Leon City: Cooking Class: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Leon $5.84
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$2.69
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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:
- Souvenirs and Gift shopping Tour in Montego Bay: $20
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- Margaritaville Hip-Strip and Great River Rafting Private Tour: $20
- Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Hip Strip Private Tour: $22
- Doctor Cave Beach and Hip Strip Shopping from Cruise Ship: $30
- Rose Hall Great House and Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
- Private Tour Souvenir Shopping in Montego Bay: $30
- Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
- Private Shopping Tour in Montego Bay with Hotel Pickup: $35
- Ricks Cafe and Negril Seven Miles Beach Irie Tour: $35
- Half-Day Private Guided Ricks Café & Negril Seven Mile Beach Tour: $35
Tours and Activities in Leon
Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Leon city: Walking tour by our landmarks.: $15
- Street Art Tour in Leon Nicaragua: $20
- Leon Colonial City Tour: $39
- Colonial City Tour: $39
- Leon City Walking Private Tour: $48
- Private Tour in Cerro Negro: $65
- Volcano Board Adventure on Cerro Negro: $65
- Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour": $67
- Half Day Tour of Cerro Negro's Volcano Boarding: $69
- La Camellada Tour, Hiking and Swimming: $70
- Volcano Boarding Adventure in Cerro Negro from León in Nicaragua: $70
- Volcano Sandboarding Private Experience in Leon: $84
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Leon $3.55
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 Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Leon, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Leon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Leon 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 Leon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leon 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 Leon.
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 Leon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Leon?
Leon has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Leon, 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 Leon?
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 Leon in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Leon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Leon receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Leon. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Leon receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Leon during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Leon receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Leon. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Leon fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Leon 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Leon in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Leon. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Leon. Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in October than Leon. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Leon receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Leon. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leon receives 195 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Leon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Leon fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Leon 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Leon in the Winter?
Both Leon and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Leon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Leon. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Leon receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Leon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Leon during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Leon receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Leon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Leon averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Leon 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Leon in the Spring?
Both Leon and Montego Bay during the spring 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 Leon year-round.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in April than Leon. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Leon receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Leon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leon. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leon receives 242 hours of full sun.
In April, Montego Bay is generally cooler than Leon. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Leon fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Leon 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Leon and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Leon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.