A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montego Bay vs. Pereira for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Montego Bay or Pereira?

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 Pereira 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 Pereira?

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.

Pereira

Situated in a small valley in the western Andes, Pereira is the capital city of Risaralda, Colombia. The city is surrounded by coffee producing agriculture and sits in the middle of a triangle of cities including Bogota, Medillin and Cali, each of which is about a three to five hour drive away.

The city itself is very much student oriented, as there are many universities around town and at least one quarter of the population is made up of students. There is also a very European vibe to the city and you will find the area beautiful with many parks and museums.

Pereira's economy is based on government, agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, trade, commerce, and tourism. Agricultural products include sugarcane, cacao, rubber, cereals, coffee, and livestock. Apparel is the main manufacturing product, along with aluminium goods, motorcycles and telecommunications technology.

Pereira is found in a warm moorland area with an average temperature of around 72 degrees. The temperatures remain relatively consistent throughout the year with highs in the high 70s Fahrenheit to low 80s Fahrenheit. Low temperatures are usually in the low 60s Fahrenheit. Rain is heaviest during the months of April and May as well as October and November.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Pereira 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $259, while the average daily cost in Pereira is $96. 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 Pereira in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montego Bay $102
    Pereira $31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montego Bay $204
    Pereira $62
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Pereira

Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Pereira? 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.

Hotels in Montego Bay


Hotels in Pereira


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 Pereira Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montego Bay $15
    Pereira $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • A "Private" Airport Transfer to Grand & Luxury Bahia Principe: $80
  • A "Private" Airport Transfer to RIU PALACE AQUARELLE: $50
  • ATV and Bamboo Rafting with Limestone Foot Massage and Transfers: $120
  • Airport - Ocho Rios Hotels Transfers and Returns: $260
  • Airport Private Round Trip Transfer: $30
  • Airport Round Trip Transfer To Hotels in Montego Bay: $19
  • Airport Transfer From Kingston: $200
  • Airport Transfer To Iberoster star Hotel: $61
  • Airport Transfer To Montego Bay Hotels: $52
  • Airport Transfer To Secret Wild orchid/ST James Hotel: $60
  • Airport Transfer To Suncape Resort: $24
  • Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios Hotels (Round-Trip): $120

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pereira

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Pereira are as follows:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $1.39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pereira

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pereira:

  • Arrival or Departure Transfer Matecaña International Airport: $12
  • Private Transfer Pereira Airport ↔ Nearby hotels: $13
  • Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer La Nubia Airport: $20
  • Pereira to or from Salento Private Transfer: $39
  • Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer: Matecaña Intl Airport: $41
  • One way transfer from Pereira to Salento AND/OR Salento to Pereira: $43
  • PRIVATE Transfer One-Way from Pereira to Philadelphia or return: $43
  • Arrival or Departure Transfer El Éden International Airport: $43
  • Santa Rosa Cabal to Pereira Airport PEI - Departure Transfer: $64
  • Private Transfer Pereira to Salento (or vice versa): $85
  • One way transfer Pereira to Santa Rosa Hot Springs: $98
  • Transfer Premium Manizales Pereira All Inclusive in luxury SUV: $225

Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Pereira?

Prices for flights to both Pereira 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 day
    Montego Bay $142
    Pereira $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
  • Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
  • Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $95
  • Sunset Dinner at Bamboo Beach Club: $99
  • Glistening Bioluminescent Waters and Dinner at Jerk hut: $105
  • 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
  • Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $130
  • The Local Lime- Montego Bay Dinner and/or Nightlife Tour: $149
  • Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
  • Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
  • Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer: $150

Typical Food Prices in Pereira

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pereira:


  • Hamburger
    $1.96

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montego Bay $31
    Pereira $21
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
    $2.68
  • Snorkeling Trip
    $19
  • One Tank Dive
    $37
  • 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:

  • Carnival Cruise Ship in Montego Bay to Great River & Hip strip: $20
  • Shopping Tour for Whitter Village Mall Private / Charted Air Conditioned Taxi: $20
  • Lethe Rafting And Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $20
  • Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
  • Montego Bay Nightlife Tour with Private Transportation: $25
  • Montego Bay Shopping Private Tour: $26
  • VR Experience in Montego Bay: $30
  • Montego Bay Private Shopping Tour with Hotel Pickup: $30
  • Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
  • Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
  • Street Executive Tours And Chauffeur Service Jamaica: $35
  • Bamboo Rafting Experience in Jamaica: $35

Tours and Activities in Pereira

Here are a few actual costs in Pereira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Coffee Tour at the Finca del Café: $40
  • City Tour Pereira Main Squares, historic sites and viewpoint: $50
  • PRIVATE TOUR OF MAIN SQUARES, HISTORICAL SITES + LOOKOUT POINT: $63
  • Pereira Organic Coffee Tour: $80
  • Eco-Park Recinto del Pensamiento Tour: $84
  • Manizales City Tour with Cable Car and Chipre Viewpoint: $87
  • Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour: $88
  • Grisales Coffee Tour, Immersive Sensory Experience: $89
  • Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour: $99
  • Private Tour to Coffee Farm (farm of your choice): $100
  • Coffee Heritage, A multisensory experience: $100
  • Parque del Café with Private Transportation and Tickets: $103

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montego Bay $13
    Pereira $17

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: $250


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Pereira, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Pereira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Pereira 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 Pereira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pereira 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 Pereira.

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 Pereira Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Pereira?

Pereira has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Pereira, 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.