Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montego Bay and Machu Picchu 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.
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.
Machu Picchu is a site of ancient Inca ruins located about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Cuzco, Peru, in the Cordillera de Vilcabamba of the Andes Mountains. It is perched above the Urubamba River valley in a narrow saddle between two sharp peaks, Machu Picchu ("Old Peak") and Huayna Picchu ("New Peak"), at an elevation of 7,710 feet (2,350 metres). One of the few major pre-Columbian ruins found nearly intact, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Thus, Machu Picchu is not only an impressive remnant of the Inca civilization, it is also one of the world's most important archaeological sites. A stop at Machu Picchu is an essential part of any traveler's itinerary in Peru, as it is one of the seven wonders of the world.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $101. 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 Machu Picchu in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Machu Picchu? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
For Machu Picchu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also in Montego Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Machu Picchu, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Machu Picchu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Machu Picchu is in South 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 Machu Picchu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Machu Picchu 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 Machu Picchu.
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 Machu Picchu Expensive?.