Which place is cheaper, Quito 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 Quito?
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 Quito 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 Quito?
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.
Quito
Nestled between two mountain ranges lies the world's highest capital city, Quito, Ecuador. For history lovers, Quito is a very desirable destination as it's home to the Quito Historic Center – one of the largest and best-preserved historic centers in the Americas.
Even though Quito is full of people – in fact, it's the second most populous city in the country – very few of its inhabitants speak English. Luckily, however, the citizens of Quito tend to speak a slower and more clear Spanish than surrounding areas. This is the perfect place to practice what you read in your Intro to Spanish book.
Before visiting Quito, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, give yourself a few days to grow accustomed to the elevation. Staying 9,350 feet above sea level takes some getting used to. Second, don't be fooled into thinking that just because you're visiting a town on the equator that you'll need all your summer clothes. Because of the city's elevation, the area keeps a relatively cool climate year round.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $260Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $260, while the average daily cost in Quito is $66. 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 Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Quito? 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 Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Quito $6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- 2727lounge/Magarativille/Pier1 & taboo nightlife private transfer: $45
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to any Resort in Montego Bay: $14
- Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden Private Transfer: $97
- Airport (MBJ) Round Trip Transfer in Montego Bay: $60
- Airport - Ocho Rios Hotels Transfers and Returns: $260
- Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfers, to Montego Bay Airbnb & Resorts: $53
- Airport Private Round Trip Transfer: $30
- Airport Private Transfers from Montego Bay to Hilton Rose Hall: $21
- Airport Transfer: $80
- Airport Transfer MBJ Montego Bay to Kingston: $150
- Airport Transfer To Dreams Rose Hall: $60
- Airport Transfer To Grand Bahia Principe Hotel: $120
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quito
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Quito:
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Taxi from Bus Terminal to Hotel$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quito
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quito:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Quito - One Way: $20
- Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
- Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $21
- Quito hotels to Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Quito Airport ↔ Quito Hotels Private Transfer Service: $27
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
- Transfer from or to UIO Airport to any Hotel in Quito: $30
- Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
- Custom Transfers Across Ecuador (quote required): $30
- Private Transfer IN or OUT Hotel-Aiport Quito or Aiport-Hotel: $35
- Transfers To and From the Airport in Quito Ecuador: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito 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 $142Quito $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour: $50
- Dinner or Lunch with Pickup from Montego Bay: $50
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
- Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $95
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $130
- Dinner or lunch at pier one Montego bay Food Tour: $144
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations: $175
- Authentic Jamaican Cooking Experience in the Mountain from mobay: $210
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.
- Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
- Cooking Class with a chef and local market including hotel pickup: $89
- Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour: $122
- Cooking Class at the Andes & Roses: PRIVATE Day trip from Quito: $178
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Quito $16
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$2.69
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$38
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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:
- Souvenirs and Gift shopping Tour in Montego Bay: $20
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- Margaritaville Hip-Strip and Great River Rafting Private Tour: $20
- Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Hip Strip Private Tour: $22
- Doctor Cave Beach and Hip Strip Shopping from Cruise Ship: $30
- Rose Hall Great House and Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
- Private Tour Souvenir Shopping in Montego Bay: $30
- Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
- Private Shopping Tour in Montego Bay with Hotel Pickup: $35
- Ricks Cafe and Negril Seven Miles Beach Irie Tour: $35
- Half-Day Private Guided Ricks Café & Negril Seven Mile Beach Tour: $35
Typical Entertainment Prices in Quito
Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to Guyasimine Museum for Two$8.00
Tours and Activities in Quito
Here are a few actual costs in Quito for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Quito Old Town Free Walking tour Cacao taste included Small group: $1.00
- Quito Old Town Free Walking tour Small group Cacao Taste included: $1.00
- Skip the Line-Entry to Heaven's Gateway The Basilica Towers!: $7.99
- Quito Old Town Tour: History, Market Visit & Ice Cream Tasting: $29
- Walking Tour Quito: $30
- Quito Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $34
- Half day tour - Old Town of Quito - Ecuador: $35
- Quito Oldtown: A Cultural-Gastro Walking Tour and Shopping: $40
- Experiential Walking tour in Quito's Old Town: $40
- Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $40
- Hidden Quito Private Tour: Culture, Food & Local Secrets: $40
- Quito Historic Center Night Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Quito $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 Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $255
Typical Alcohol Prices in Quito
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:
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Beers for Two$9.00
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Quito, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Quito 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 Quito would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quito 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 Quito.
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 Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Quito?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Quito, 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.