Which place is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta?
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 Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta?
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.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta remains a popular tourist destination with Americans, particularly during spring break when students flock to the area. The area is quite beautiful and has many gorgeous beaches, interesting jungles and waterfalls nearby, and no shortage of luxury resorts and four star restaurants. Many of the locals speak English and are friendly and open to helping tourists with directions or general information. Puerto Vallarta's popularity means that its prices are some of the highest in Mexico, particularly during holidays when the area can get quite crowded.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesPuerto Vallarta Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $259Puerto Vallarta $130
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $259, while the average daily cost in Puerto Vallarta is $130. 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 Puerto Vallarta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102Puerto Vallarta $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204Puerto Vallarta $116
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Puerto Vallarta
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Puerto Vallarta? 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 Puerto Vallarta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Puerto Vallarta $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $9.75
- Airport transfer, Private Taxi Montego Bay: $10
- Hyatt Zillara or Ziva Rose Hall private Transfers: $10
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Private Transfers: MBJ Airport ↔ RIU Montego Bay, Palace & Reggae: $13
- El Greco Resort Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Grandiosa Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay: $14
- Dreams Rose Hall Resort and Spa Private Airport Transfer: $14
- Hyatt zilara or ziva EXCLUSIVE private airport transfer services: $14
- RIU Palace reggae and RIU Montego Bay private airport transfers: $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:
- Puerto Vallarta Roundtrip Shuttle Airport Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta to Puerto Vallarta Port: $54
- Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Port to Puerto Vallarta: $54
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers Airport - Old part of Town - Airport: $54
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers - Airport - Zona Hotelera - Airport: $64
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR): $66
- Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Puerto Vallarta-Arrival Transfer: $66
- Puerto Vallarta Airport to Hotel Private Transfer by Minivan: $67
- Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport(PVR) to Cruise Port: $69
- Private Transfer from Cruise Port to Puerto Vallarta Airport(PVR): $69
- Mexico Private Transfer from Marina Vallarta to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Airport: $70
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers Airport - Downtown - Airport: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Puerto Vallarta?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta 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 $142Puerto Vallarta $59
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Vallarta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Puerto Vallarta.
- Old Town Taco Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $49
- 3-Hour Guided Food Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $51
- Ultimate Taco Tour in Puerto Vallarta with Vallarta Food Tours: $55
- Bucerias Taco Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Taste of Pitillal Food Tour by Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Winner 2026 Downtown Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Taco102 - dinner taco walk - all inclusive: $63
- Puerto Vallarta Guided Food Tour with 8 Locals Favorites Tastings: $65
- Seafood Lover's Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $65
- Vallarta Flavours Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
- 6 Course Tasting Dinner in Puerto Vallarta Layla Restaurante: $77
- Puerto Vallarta Evening Cooking Class: Tacos, Margaritas &Churros: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Puerto Vallarta $17
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$2.68
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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:
- 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 Puerto Vallarta
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Vallarta are as follows:
- Tequila Tasting Tour in Nuevo Vallarta: $8.00
- Puerto Vallarta Historical El Centro: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour of Puerto Vallarta: $15
- Puerto Vallarta Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $15
- Puerto Vallarta City Tour: $20
- Butterfly Experience Nature Park Admission: $22
- City tour express, Butterfly, tequila, river and beach (free kids): $22
- Private Bike City Tour with Photo Session in Puerto Vallarta: $23
- Butterfly Sanctuary & Museum Guided Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $28
- Day of the Dead Cemetery Walking Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $28
- Puerto Vallarta Historic Downtown Ghost and Cultural Walking Tour: $28
- Full-Day Puerto Vallarta City Highlights Tour: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Puerto Vallarta $22
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Puerto Vallarta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Puerto Vallarta:
- Puerto Vallarta Pub Crawl: $22
- Premium Tequila Tasting Puerto Vallarta Distillery: $28
- Mexican Wine Tasting Experience: $50
- Mexican Wine Tasting & Aroma Sensory Experience: $60
- Brewery Bus Tour from Mexico: $85
- Cachasol Tequila Tasting & Raicilla Distillery Tour: $91
- Secret Agave Bar Crawl in Vallarta: $98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Vallarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta.
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 Puerto Vallarta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Puerto Vallarta, 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.