Which place is cheaper, Veracruz or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Veracruz?
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 Veracruz 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 Veracruz?
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.
Veracruz
Veracruz is the name of both a state and city in the country of Mexico. Locals often call the city "Puerto" (port) in order to differentiate the city from the state. The general area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses ruins, old colonial cities, lush green mountains, and delicious seafood.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Veracruz $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Veracruz is $122. 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 Veracruz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Veracruz $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Veracruz $108
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Veracruz
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Veracruz? 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 Veracruz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Veracruz $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Private Airport OneWay Transfer to Hotel in Montego Bay : $300
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport To Ocho Rios: $267
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Kingston Hotels: $245
- Private Transfer to Island Gully Falls: $240
- Black River and YS Falls Adventure with Transfer: $235
- Private Transfer to Kingston: $215
- Kingston Airport Transfer (Montego bay,Negril,Ocho rio): $214
- Negril Hotels / Resort - Airport Transfers: $213
- Iberostar Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $200
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Kingston Hotels: $195
- Jewel Resort Transfer: $192
- Luxury Suburban Private Airport Transfer with Chauffeur : $192
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Veracruz
Also for Veracruz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Arrival Private Transfer: $14
- Shared Arrival Transfer: General Heriberto Jara International Airport to Veracruz Hotels: $23
- Airport Transfer: $25
- Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $28
- Transfer from Veracruz Airport to Hotel in Veracruz Port: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Veracruz?
Prices for flights to both Veracruz 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 $84Veracruz $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Private Transportation to DINNER or NIGHT CLUBS: $55
- Lunch or Dinner with Pickup from Montego Bay : $81
- Night cruise and swim the Falmouth Mystic Lagoon, Dinner and Rum Punch Inclusive: $85
- Rick’s Cafe Cliff Diving, Sunset & Dinner Tour with Transportation : $130
- Sunset Boat Ride in the Falmouth Luminous Lagoon swim and Dinner : $165
- Sunset Boat Cruise in Falmouth Luminous Lagoon, Swim and Dinner : $170
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Houseboat Restaurant and Grill for Dinner Private Transportation : $180
- Private Sea-Food Tour & Floyds Pelican Bar from Montego Bay or ..: $185
- [PRIVATE] Premium Jamaican Food Tour of Local Cuisine: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Veracruz $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$2.74
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$38
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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:
- ATV Adventure to Seven Mile Beach and Ricks Cafe: $220
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting, and Horseback Ride Tour From Montego Bay: $173
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Pelican Bar Customize Tour: $120
- Bioluminescence Lagoon tour from Montego Bay with Pick Up: $105
- Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
- Blue Hole Adventure Tour : $120
- Dirt Adventure ATV from Montego Bay: $160
- Floyds Pelican Bar Private Tour : $155
- Green Grotto Cave Private Tour: $115
- Horseback Riding and Tour from Montego Bay : $230
- Jetski Experience: $245
- Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118
Tours and Activities in Veracruz
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Veracruz.
- Hop-On Hop-Off Double-Decker Bus Tour: $7.87
- Panoramic Sightseeing Tour of Veracruz: $8.00
- San Juan de Ulua Fortress Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- San Juan de Ulua Fortress of Veracruz Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- Sightseeing City Tour and Aquarium: $22
- From Nature & Seafood Boat Tour to Madinga: $23
- 3-hour tour to the San Juan de Ulúa Fortress: $25
- Sightseeing City Tour and Wax & Ripley´s Museums: $25
- From San Juan de Ulua Prison Tour: $26
- Mandinga And Boat Trip Tour: $26
- Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark: Veracruz - Ticket: $27
- San Juan De Ulua Tour: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Veracruz $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: $215
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Veracruz, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Veracruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Veracruz 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 Veracruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Veracruz 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 Veracruz.
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 Veracruz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Veracruz?
Veracruz has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Veracruz, 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 Veracruz?
Veracruz 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 Veracruz in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Veracruz. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Veracruz in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Veracruz fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Veracruz. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Veracruz. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Veracruz receives 208 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Veracruz. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than Veracruz. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Veracruz receives 410 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Veracruz 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Veracruz in the Autumn?
Both Veracruz and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Veracruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Veracruz averages at about 26°C (79°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Veracruz during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Veracruz receives 188 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Veracruz. It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of rain as Veracruz. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Veracruz receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Veracruz 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Veracruz in the Winter?
Both Veracruz and Montego Bay during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Veracruz. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Veracruz fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Veracruz. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Veracruz receives 156 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in January than Veracruz. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Veracruz receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Veracruz 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Veracruz in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Veracruz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Veracruz in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Veracruz fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Veracruz this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Veracruz during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Veracruz receives 203 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Veracruz. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Veracruz receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Veracruz 26°C (78°F)
Typical Weather for Veracruz and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Veracruz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 410 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 346 mm (13.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
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.