Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Montego Bay or Panama 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 Panama 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 Panama 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.
Panama City
As the tropical breeze kisses your face amidst the never-ending rows of palm trees and high-rise beach condos, you find both pleasure and peace in this popular beach vacation spot. Such a city could be no place else than Panama City, Florida, located on the Florida Panhandle on the Gulf Coast. The entire region is known for it's calm beach with white sand, blue water, and spring break and summer vacation fun. Panama City offers a multitude of hotels, parks, beaches, and restaurants to make it a prime destination to both party and relax. However, as you explore the city, you will find that Panama City acquires its own diverse, vibrant character unique to other beach towns. Bring out the fishing rods and boogie boards and take advantage of one of Florida's most popular destinations! It's a great destination for families, kids, younger travelers, singles, couples, and retirees alike.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Panama City $224
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $224. 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 Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Panama City $128
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Panama City $256
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Panama 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 Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Panama City $48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Airport Round transfer Excellence,Coral Springs,Paladium, Royaltan Blue Waters: $80
- Airport Transfer To Iberoster star Hotel : $61
- Airport Transfer To S Hotel (Round-trip): $35
- Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels (Round-Trip): $52
- Airport Transfer to Sunscape Splash Resort (Round-Trip) : $34
- Airport Transfers to Iberostar Hotel (Round-trip): $53
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Areas Private Luxury Transfer: $179
- Riu Reggae , Riu Palace & Riu Mobay Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $13
- Round-Trip Transfer Airport transfer to Grand Palladium Resort & Spa: $87
- Shared Airport Transfer To Montego Bay Hotels: $55
- 12. Runaway Bay Hotels&Accommodations Airport Private Transfer to/from Sangster : $70
- Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden Private Transfer : $97
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama 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
-
Food Meals for one dayMontego Bay $84Panama City $66
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 : $81
- Rick’s Cafe Cliff Diving, Sunset & Dinner Tour with Transportation : $130
- Dinner or lunch at pier one Montego bay Food Tour: $144
- Sunset Boat Cruise in Falmouth Luminous Lagoon, Swim and Dinner : $170
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Houseboat Restaurant and Grill for Dinner Private Transportation : $180
- [PRIVATE] Premium Jamaican Food Tour of Local Cuisine: $190
- Martha Brae Bamboo Rafting & Luminous Lagoon Sunset, Swim& Dinner: $280
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Panama City $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
-
Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.74
-
Snorkeling Trip$19
-
One Tank Dive$38
-
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:
- Skip the Line: Rose Hall Great House & Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
- Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour: $35
- Night Life Tour in Montego Bay : $40
- Private Montego Bay Shopping Tour with Transportation: $45
- City Highlights and Souvenir Shopping Tour: $45
- Rose Hall Great House 2-Hour Night Tour: $45
- 3-Hour Private Tour in the Highlights of Montego Bay: $45
- Half-Day Private Guided Ricks Café & Negril Seven Mile Beach Tour: $45
- Bamboo Rafting and Margaritaville Hip Strip Private Tour: $45
- Tranfers and Tours: $48
- 4 Hours Custom Adventure and Water Activities in Montego Bay: $50
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Here are a few actual costs in Panama City for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Panama City Beach: SkyWheel Ticket with Sunset Option: $19
- SkyWheel Panama City Beach Sunset Ticket: $23
- Panama City Beach: SkyWheel Ticket and Mini Golf Combo: $26
- Self-Guided Bike Tour: Pedal At Your Pace: $28
- Bike Rental with Smartphone Tour: $28
- Sunset Dolphin Cruise in St. Andrews Bay: $29
- Dolphin Sightseeing Tour on The Footloose Catamaran from Panama City Beach: $35
- Panama City Beach Dolphin Sightseeing Sail: $40
- Sunset & Dolphin Catamaran Cruise with Island Time: $42
- Panama City Beach: Sunset Catamaran Cruise: $45
- Shell Island Snorkel and Dolphin Catamaran Cruise with Island Time : $52
- 90 min Cruise at Lower Grand Lagoon : $54
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Panama City $56
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: $103
When comparing the travel costs between Montego Bay and Panama City, we can see that Panama City 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 Panama 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 Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Panama City?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Panama 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.
When is the best time to visit Montego Bay or Panama City?
Panama City 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 Panama City in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Panama City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Panama City because of the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Panama City in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Panama City fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Panama City this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Panama City during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Panama City receives 283 hours of full sun in the summer.
Panama City receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Panama City. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Panama City receives 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Panama City 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Panama City in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Panama City. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Panama City this time of year.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is a little warmer than Panama City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Panama City averages at about 71°F (22°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Panama City. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Panama City. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Panama City receives 256 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Panama City. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Panama City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Panama City 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Panama City in the Winter?
Both Panama City 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, many travelers come to Panama City for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In January, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Panama City. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Panama City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Panama City during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Panama City receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Panama City. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Panama City receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Panama City 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Panama City in the Spring?
Both Panama City 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Panama City in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Montego Bay is a little warmer than Panama City in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Panama City fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
In Panama City, 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 Panama City. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Panama City receives 295 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in April than Panama City. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Panama City receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Panama City 68°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for Panama City and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Panama City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.3 inches (184 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.5 inches (191 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 7.5 inches (192 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) |
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.