Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Mazatlan?
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 Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan?
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.
Mazatlan
Mazatlan is located on the Pacific coast in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The city has a population of almost 500,000, making it the second largest city in the state. It is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and resort hotels. Most people head to Mazatlan specifically for its beaches, but the city itself is somewhat large and diverse with many different cultures and ethnicities represented. Many foreigners come here not only to vacation, but also to retire. You'll meet people from all over Europe, as well as Canada and the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Mazatlan is $79. 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 Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Mazatlan $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Mazatlan? 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 Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Mazatlan $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Airport Transfer To Hotels in Negril : $60
- Airport Transfer To S Hotel (Round-trip): $35
- Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels (Round-Trip): $54
- Airport Transfers to Iberostar Hotel (Round-trip): $53
- MBJ Airport Private Round Trip Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay Area: $27
- Riu Reggae , Riu Palace & Riu Mobay Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $11
- Round-Trip Transfer Airport Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay : $41
- Roundtrip Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Meliá Braco Hotel: $80
- Shared Airport Transfer To Montego Bay Hotels: $55
- 2727lounge/Magarativille/Pier1 & taboo nightlife private transfer: $35
- Airport Transfer To Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa: $60
- Airport Transfer to Excellence Oyster Bay and Royalton: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $50
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $236
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $262
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $296
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan 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 $84Mazatlan $34
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mazatlan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mazatlan.
- Mercado walking food tour: $78
- Mazatlan routes of taste food tour: $84
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Mazatlan: $84
- Tacos, Beer and Mezcal Food Tour in Mazatlan: $96
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Mazatlan $9.59
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$2.74
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$38
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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
- Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
- Private Shopping Tour in Montego Bay with Hotel Pickup: $35
- Skip the Line: Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden Admission Tickets: $35
- Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour: $35
- Shopping and Sightseeing Tour of Montego Bay City: $39
- Shopping and Sightseeing Local Guided Tour In Montego Bay: $40
- Montego Bay Walking Tour: $40
- Bamboo Rafting, Hip-Strip & Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $40
- Private Montego Bay Shopping Tour with Transportation: $45
Tours and Activities in Mazatlan
Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Mazatlan Sightseeing and Golden Zone: $27
- Mazatlan City Sightseeing Tour with Shopping Time and Lunch: $40
- Mazatlan Sightseeing and Shopping Tour: $40
- Mazatlan Smart Bike Tour: $40
- El Faro Lighthouse Tour with Free Digital Photos: $47
- Mazatlan - City Tour: $47
- City Tour with Tequila Tasting & Beach Hotel Day Pass Included : $49
- Grand Aquarium Ticket and City Sightseeing Tour: $57
- Sensation Splash Party All Inclusive Mazatlan Bay Cruise: $57
- Beach Activities and All Inclusive Tour: $58
- Seafront Boardwalk Beer Bike Tour: $58
- Deer Island Eco Tour with Snorkeling and Hiking: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Mazatlan $18
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Mazatlan, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Mazatlan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan.
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 Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Mazatlan, 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 Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montego Bay experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Montego Bay or Mazatlan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Mazatlan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mazatlan in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Mazatlan in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Mazatlan during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 216 hours of full sun in the summer.
Mazatlan receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Mazatlan. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Mazatlan. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Mazatlan for the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 233 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Mazatlan. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Mazatlan in the Winter?
Both Mazatlan 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. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Mazatlan during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Mazatlan in the Spring?
Both Mazatlan 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. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.
Montego Bay is a little warmer than Mazatlan in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Mazatlan. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 250 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in April than Mazatlan. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Mazatlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 18 mm (0.7 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.