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

Should you visit Paphos or Montego Bay?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Montego Bay, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Paphos or Montego Bay?

Paphos

Located on the southwestern tip of Cyprus, Paphos has many different archaeological sights and it is renowned as the birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. The town is situated between the coast and the Troodos Mountains and it has grown in recent years as a tourist destination. As such, the local government has made efforts to improve the quality of the tourism infrastructure including investing in hotels, restaurants and transportation. There is also a commercial center to the city as well as a newly built "promenade" that travels from the marina along a long coastal path. This route offers excellent views, especially during the morning or evening hours when the sun is low.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Cyprus, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Cyprus.


Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Paphos?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Paphos Prices
    Cyprus Prices
    Montego Bay Prices
    Jamaica Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Paphos 125
    Montego Bay 217

The average daily cost (per person) in Paphos is €125, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is €217. 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 Paphos and Montego Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Paphos 48
    Montego Bay 85
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Paphos 96
    Montego Bay 170
Compare Hotels in Paphos and Montego Bay

Looking for a hotel in Paphos or Montego Bay? 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 Paphos


Hotels in Montego Bay


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: Paphos Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Paphos 12
    Montego Bay 12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paphos

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paphos:

  • Shared shuttle transfer from Hotels to Paphos Airport: $17
  • Blue Lagoon Boat Cruise with Bus Transfer: $30
  • Blue Lagoon Sunset Cruise from Paphos with Transfers: $30
  • Paphos Blue Lagoon Cruise: Slide, Music & Hotel Transfer: $34
  • Blue Lagoon cruise: giant slide, music & Paphos hotel transfers: $35
  • Blue Lagoon Boat Cruise with Bus Transfer from Paphos: $42
  • Blue Lagoon Pafos to Latchi, bus transfer+ Boat trip H/D: $42
  • Paphos to Paphos Int Airport (PFO) - Departure Private Transfer: $43
  • Blue Lagoon trip with Transfer from Paphos including 1 hour swim : $45
  • Blue Lagoon: 3 Hours Afternoon Cruise with transfer from Paphos: $46
  • Private Airport Transfer from Hotel to Paphos Airport in a 4-seater taxi: $46
  • Private Transfer from Paphos Airport to Paphos City: $51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • Montego Bay Private Transfer with Airport Pickup and Dropoff : $20
  • Shared Airport Transfer To Montego Bay Hotels: $55
  • Airport Transfer Service In Montego bay: $95
  • Brown Boss Private Airport Transfers: $20
  • Club Mobay VIP Lounge Access and Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $113
  • Eden Bay Private Airport Transfer: $50
  • Excellence Oyster Bay Private Transfer: $40
  • Excellence Resort Private Airport Transfer: $40
  • Experience Jamaica Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $100
  • Experience private Airport Transfer to Falmouth: $50
  • From Kingston One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay Airport: $44
  • Grand Palladium Resort Private Transfer: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Paphos or Montego Bay?

Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Paphos 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
    Paphos 65
    Montego Bay 119

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paphos

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Paphos.

  • From Sunset Drink at Aphrodite's Rock & Folk Dinner: $62
  • Wave Dancer Fireworks, Buffet Dinner & Show Cruise: $73
  • Cyprus: Cooking Class-Mousaka, Tzatziki & Greek Salad: $88
  • Moussaka Cooking Class at a Wine Village Villa in Paphos: $226

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.

  • Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $10
  • 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
  • Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica : $130
  • Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
  • Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations : $158
  • PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $190

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Paphos 12
    Montego Bay 26

Tours and Activities in Paphos

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

  • Blue Lagoon Mediterranean One Boat Cruise from Latchi: $21
  • Pafos Zoo Ticket: $22
  • The Yellow Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise Swim & Snorkel: $23
  • Paphos Sunset Cruise Swim Snorkel & Jump into the Golden Hour : $24
  • From Limassol Experience: $29
  • Latchi to Blue Lagoon Glass Bottom+slide Boat Tour: $30
  • Blue Lagoon Cruise with Sightseeing from Latchi Harbour : $30
  • Nafsika II Half Day Cruise Swimming to blue lagoon water slide : $30
  • Latchi Blue Lagoon Cruise: $36
  • Akamas, Baths of Aphrodite and Blue Lagoon Day Tour: $41
  • Turtle Watching Cruise,Snorkelling Adventure &Sunset: $41
  • Yellow Submarine Swim Cruise with Unlimited Drinks: $41

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
    2.24
  • Snorkeling Trip
    16
  • One Tank Dive
    31
  • 1.5 Hr Horseback Ride
    36

Tours and Activities in Montego Bay

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:

  • Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
  • Luminous Lagoon Admission Tickets: $40
  • Jet Car Experience/ clear kayak photo shoot in Montego Bay: $40
  • Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage: $50
  • 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
  • Montego Bay Sight Seeing with Tour Guide : $50
  • Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $54
  • Bamboo Rafting Adventure with Limestone Massage from Montego Bay: $55
  • Montego Bay & Falmouth Hotels, Souvenir Shopping and sightseeing: $60
  • Private Tour in Dunns River Falls: $60
  • Luminous Lagoon Glow in the Dark Boat Tour from Montego Bay: $65
  • Private Montego Bay Customized Tour with Pickup and Guide: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Paphos 9.98
    Montego Bay 11

Sample the Local Flavors in Paphos

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paphos:

  • Afternoon Tour to Agios Neophytos Monastery with Wine Tasting: $44
  • Paphos - Troodos Mountains 4x4 Tour with Free Wine Tasting: $70
  • Troodos Mountains Jeep Tour with Wine Tasting: $73
  • Wine tasting on-board the Demetris Chara BBQboat BlueLagoon tours: $89
  • Local Wineries Tour with Wine Tastings: $111
  • Troodos Mountains Vino Venture: All Inclusive Full Day Wine Tour: $138
  • Private Wine Tour with Tastings and Winery Visits: $762

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


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Paphos Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Paphos or Montego Bay?

Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos and Montego Bay, 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 Paphos or Montego Bay?

Paphos 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 Paphos or Montego Bay in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Montego Bay. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Paphos this time of year. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Paphos is around the same temperature as Montego Bay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Paphos in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In Paphos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Montego Bay during summer. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Paphos usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Paphos 27°C (80°F) 
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Paphos or Montego Bay in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Montego Bay. Many travelers come to Paphos for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.

In October, Paphos is generally cooler than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 21°C (70°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the autumn, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Montego Bay. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. Paphos usually gets less rain in October than Montego Bay. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Paphos 21°C (70°F) 
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Paphos or Montego Bay in the Winter?

Both Montego Bay and Paphos are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Paphos in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Paphos is much colder than Montego Bay in the winter. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. Paphos usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during winter. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Paphos usually receives around the same amount of rain as Montego Bay. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Paphos 12°C (53°F) 
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Paphos or Montego Bay in the Spring?

Both Montego Bay and Paphos during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Paphos for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.

In the spring, Paphos is cooler than Montego Bay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Paphos in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 25°C (77°F).

In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Paphos. In the spring, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Montego Bay. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in April than Montego Bay. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Paphos 17°C (62°F) 
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Paphos

Paphos Montego Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 12°C (54°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 13°C (56°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 17°C (62°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
May 20°C (69°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 1 mm (0 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 27°C (80°F) 0 mm (0 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 27°C (80°F) 0 mm (0 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 1 mm (0 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 21°C (70°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 17°C (62°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec 13°C (56°F) 76 mm (3 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)