Which place is cheaper, Mexico 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 Mexico 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 Mexico 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 Mexico 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.
Mexico City
Mexico City is one of the largest and most populated cities in the world. There are an estimated 26 million people living in the greater Mexico City metropolitan area. The area is about 60 kilometers by 40 kilometers and is surrounded by tall mountains and volcanoes on three sides. Mexico City proper has about 8.8 million people and is the capital of the country. More than a third of the country's economy is based here, making it the wealthiest city in all of Latin America.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesMexico City Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $257Mexico City $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $257, while the average daily cost in Mexico City is $231. 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 Mexico City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $101Mexico City $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $202Mexico City $84
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Mexico City
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Mexico 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 Mexico City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Mexico City $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- luxury VIP Airport Transfer to RIU Palace, Reggae,Montego bay: $140
- Zoetry Montego Bay Airport Transfers MBJ (Private Roundtrip Exclusive): $180
- VIP Luxury Airport Transfer Mobay, Ocho Rios, Negril, Lucea,: $150
- Tryall / Round Hill - Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $107
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Montego Bay HTL-APT (MBJ): $37
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Montego Bay APT-HTL (MBJ): $37
- Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Transfers from Montego Bay Airport to Negril: $53
- Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Iberostar zone: $64
- Tobys Resort Private Airport Transfer: $20
- Sunset at the Palm Private Negril Airport Transfer: $52
- Sunscape Resorts Montego Bay Private Airport Transfers: $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Mexico City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Mexico City:
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Metro$1.18
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Uber Ride$4.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mexico City
Also for Mexico City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- MEX Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $15
- Private Transfer from Mexico City Airport (MEX): $17
- Private Transfer to Mexico City Airport (MEX): $17
- Transfer Mexico city Airport - Mexico city Downtown hotels: $18
- Transfer Airport Hotel Airport Mexico City: $30
- Mexico City International Airport (MEX) to Mexico City- Private Arrival Transfer: $31
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Mexico City Airport (MEX): $34
- Mexico City Private Airport Transfer: $36
- Mexico City Airport Transfer to Estadio Azteca and City: $36
- Transfer Premium Mexico International Airport AICM: $38
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Mexico City: $38
- Private Transfer From Mexico City Airport to Downtown: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Mexico City?
Prices for flights to both Mexico 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 $141Mexico City $47
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
- Street Food Tour in Montego Bay: $59
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
- Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $85
- Sunset Dinner at Bamboo Beach Club: $99
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $130
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Authentic Jamaican Cooking Experience in the Mountain from mobay: $210
- PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $210
Typical Food Prices in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$13
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Coffee and Snacks$4.61
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Dinner for 2$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour Mexico City (Saturday): $20
- Mexico City Coyoacan Food Tour & Optional Frida Kahlo Museum: $20
- Private Street Food Tour Mexico City - Best rated: $35
- Cable Car, Cultural Spaces, and Traditional Food Tour: $40
- Veracruz and Boca del Rio Food Tour with Mangroves Boat Trip: $50
- Virtual Mexican Cooking Class (private and personalized): $50
- Tortilla Crawl: Food Tour in Mexico City: $55
- San Juan Market Food Tour Exotic Bites & Flavors: $56
- Coyoacan Market Food Tour Urban Eats & Local Legends: $56
- Mexico : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $58
- Street Food Tour in Mexico with a Local Guide: $62
- Local Markets & Food Tour in Mexico City: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Mexico City $15
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$2.66
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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:
- 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
- 2 Hour Private Montego Bay City Tour with Souvenir’s Shopping: $80
- 27/27 Lounge, Pier 1 & Margaritaville Nightlife Tour In Jamaica: $80
- 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
- 3-Hour Private Tour in the Highlights of Montego Bay: $58
- 4 Hours Party Boat Catamaran Cruise in Negril: $190
- 4 Hours Private Night Life Experience in Montego Bay: $66
- 4-Hour Catamaran Party Cruise with Open Bar from Montego Bay: $200
- 5 Hour Private Tour at Negril Beach and Rick's Cafe: $150
- 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
- 7 Mile Beach Party Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling & Ricks Cafe: $115
- 7 in 1 Day Jamaican Adventure with Jhadano Tours: $50
Tours and Activities in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mexico City Self-Guided Tour: Historic Center & Beyond: $3.55
- MUCHO Museum of Chocolate Entrance Ticket: $4.65
- Mexico City Historic Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.00
- Mexico City Self-Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
- A Tour through the Guadalupe Basilica Grounds: $6.04
- Mexico City Coyoacán, Frida Kahlo Exploration Game and Tour: $6.04
- Mexico City Walking Tour 2h40 and 24 audio reviews: $7.31
- Hidden Gems of Exploration Game and Tour: $7.42
- Mexico City Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $7.70
- Mexico City Jewish History Smartphone Guided Audio Walking Tour: $7.75
- Mexico City Self-Guided Walking Tour Aztec Legacy Audio and Quiz: $8.31
- Night City Tour in a Double Decker Bus: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Mexico City $20
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Mexico City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mexico City:
- CDMX Pub Crawl: Guided Pub Crawl with Party Games: $24
- The Mexico City Pub Crawl: A real chilango night: $33
- THE MEXICO CITY PUB CRAWL: A real chilango night: $35
- Make Your Own Tequila or Mezcal with Distillery and Cocktails: $97
- Zona Rosa Pub Crawl Experience: $100
- Mexican Wine Tasting with Food Pairing: $126
- The Mexican Wine Tasting and Pairing: $130
- Full Day Harvest Season Wine Tour & Grape Stomping Tequisquiapan: $136
- Private Cheese and Wine Tour to Queretaro: $511
When comparing the travel costs between Montego Bay and Mexico City, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Mexico City is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Mexico City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Mexico City?
Mexico City has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Mexico 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.