What's an average trip to Jamaica cost?
A one-week vacation for two to Jamaica in 2024 typically costs around $4,200, including accommodation, flights, food, activities, and transportation. Costs can vary depending on your preferences, with options to stay at all-inclusive resorts, villas, or Airbnb rentals.
You can save money by enjoying street food, using public transportation, and exploring free or budget-friendly activities. Jamaica offers a wide range of experiences, making it possible to have a memorable trip within your budget.
Simply put, we love Jamaica. Brilliant white sand beaches, captivating cultural experiences and mouthwatering cuisine await your arrival, promising to fill your vacation with unforgettable moments.
Planning an incredible Caribbean retreat starts with a look at how much the trip of your dreams might cost. The ideal budget depends on your travel preferences, of course.
But knowing the typical Jamaican vacation costs can help you plan and budget for your own trip. If you’d like the inside scoop, you’ve come to the right place.
We’re here to provide insights on travel costs and ways to visit Jamaica on a budget, including affordable places to stay, eat and have fun. Allow us to show you the way!
Average Trip to Jamaica Cost in 2024
An average one-week vacation to Jamaica for two in 2024 will cost around $4,200.
- Average Accommodation Cost: $275 per night
- Average Flight Cost: $300 per person
- Food, Drink, & Activities: $100 per person, per day
- Transportation: $40 per day
- Total Cost: $4,200
Your average costs may vary, depending on how you’d like your trip to go. Staying at guesthouses, riding minibuses, buying food from street vendors and spending most of your time at the beach can half your travel costs.
On the other hand, if you’d like to stay at an all-inclusive luxury resort and check out all the most popular tourist attractions, the total price could climb well past $8,000.
In fact, the sky is the limit to what you can spend. Top-tier rooms at adults-only ultra-luxury resorts, like Breathless Montego Bay, are up to $3,400 a night. Upscale hotel restaurants charge $50 a plate or more.
A private driver costs $150 per day on average. But you don’t have to break the bank to have a memorable Caribbean vacation.
All it takes is a good hard look at the typical costs in each category to see where to pinch your pennies and where you want to splurge. You’ll then be able to create a travel plan that works for your budget and preferences.
Jamaica Trip Cost: Average by Item
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To build your ideal Jamaica travel budget, take a look at the average costs for each item. As you do that, remember that your personal selections will affect how much you spend on your trip.
Accommodation Costs
Where you decide to stay in Jamaica will greatly impact your overall travel budget. Most travelers pay $200 per night on average, but it depends on the accommodation type and quality.
All-inclusive luxury resorts are the most popular option because the price covers the room, unlimited food and drinks, and entertainment. So, while it’s usually $500 or more for each night, the value and convenience make it well worth every last penny.
For more affordable accommodations, look at villas and hotels. On average, villas cost $400 per day, while hotels often cost half that.
Airbnb rentals are another smart option allowing you to get a whole condo or house to yourself for around $100 daily. Guesthouses and hostels can cost as much as Airbnb rentals, but they’re popular with those who want to meet new friends on their travels.
For these accommodations, you’ll pay between $50 and $90 per person each night for a room or bed and breakfast. Seasoned travelers recommend experiencing each accommodation type for the ultimate Caribbean vacation experience.
Spend a night or two at a Montego Bay resort before working your way from a guesthouse in Kingston to a Negril hostel and then an Airbnb in Ocho Rios.
Flight Costs
Plane tickets to Jamaica cost $290 each on average. The cheapest seats are $198. But that’s only during summer when temperatures rise past 90°F and the Atlantic hurricane season starts.
The U.S. Embassy in Jamaica issues a report about the storm risks each year and tips on staying safe, although many people still don’t want to risk it. Instead, they plan their visit anywhere from December to April.
In addition to the lower risk of serious storms in the winter and early spring, the temperatures return to a comfortable range. The cost to fly increases with demand, though, often reaching $375 per ticket.
Unlike many other vacation destinations, non-stop flights are the norm and cost the least per ticket. If you fly direct, you’ll likely land in Jamaica within four hours of boarding the plane.
According to the Jamaica Tourist Board, there are three main airports to arrive at, but most travelers prefer Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. The other airports are in the Ocho Rios resort area and Kingston.
You can hop between these airports for around $70 for each one-way ticket. Although that’s two to three times the cost of gas, taking the flight instead of driving may save you about three hours of travel time.
Food, Drink, & Activity Costs
The average traveler can expect to spend at least $100 per day on food and activities while visiting Jamaica. It’s possible to spend a lot less than that by carefully choosing where to eat and what to do.
When it comes to food and drinks, you cannot go wrong no matter where you eat. Rich culinary traditions ensure that every dish will taste as good as the last, whether you splurge on fine dining cuisine or nosh on street food.
Overall, it’s pretty easy to stick to a food budget of $60 or less per day. Just grab breakfast items from a grocery store for about $5 a day and then eat street food for lunch. The roadside vendors serve jerk chicken, peppered shrimp and more, allowing you to eat like a king for $5 or less.
As for the rest, set your sights on delightful restaurants like The HouseBoat Grill in Montego Bay or Miss T’s Kitchen in Ocho Rios. Like many other local eateries, these restaurants charge about $20 per plate and up to $10 for wine, cocktails and beer.
For food and fun all in one, visit Rick’s Café in Negril. Located on the West End Cliffs, this eatery serves all the local favorites for about $30 a plate and up to $10 for drinks.
After getting your fill, stick around to go cliff diving, dance the night away or simply admire the sunset. Even more cliff-diving fun awaits at the nearby Xtabi Resort, and it won’t cost you a dime unless you partake in their bar fare.
Other free things to do include going to the beach and hiking the Blue Mountain Peak Trail.
If you have the funds for more attractions, go on boat tours for $140 per person or take a night swim in the Luminous Lagoon for $60 each. For about $75 each, you can go bobsledding and more at Dunn’s River Falls or Mystic Mountain.
Transportation Costs
Transportation for two is not likely to cost you more than $40 per day. The only exception is if you hire a private driver. They typically charge at least $150 a day for their services.
Although you’re welcome to rent a car for $50 to $160 per day, it’s not recommended. For starters, the unique, oft-aggressive local driving style can feel jarring to newcomers. Plus, you must drive on the left side of the road and dodge hazards like goats and deep potholes.
If you’d still like to rent a car, make sure to do so at the airport to get the best rates. Although you’ll see passenger cars listed at $25 per day, additional charges, like taxes and fees, can more than double the price.
Otherwise, hop on an air-conditioned bus, like the Knutsford Express, for around $15 a ticket. Or ride like the locals do on the minibuses, known as coasters, which cost less than a dollar per ride. If you’d like to travel by coaster, bring cash in Jamaican dollars to avoid overspending on each trip.
Taxis are another way to get around the country. The most popular service is Juta Tours, but there are many others. The drivers set their rates based on the destination, not the mileage.
Most trips cost anywhere from $5 to $20. It’ll be much more if you want them to wait for you to finish your activity.
In some cities, like Kingston, it’s possible to use Uber or the inDrive app to get a ride. The price varies based on location and demand, so it’s difficult to estimate ahead of time.
Things to Consider
Ocho Rios, Jamaica – February 20, 2018: Souvenir Shops. Street market in Jamaica/Ovidiu Curic/Shutterstock
Here are several other things to keep in mind while you’re planning a vacation to Jamaica in 2024:
- Check the events calendar and sample itineraries to plan your visit to hit all the top festivals and attractions.
- Bring your own mosquito nets whether you’re staying in hostels or resorts. Although malaria is not a risk, cases of dengue fever have been known to occur.
- Avon Skin So Soft works as the best bug repellent for the biting insects near the water, called no-see-ums or midges. Slather it on after letting your sunblock soak in for a few minutes.
- US currency is accepted almost everywhere, but carry Jamaican dollars, too. That way, you’ll be able to buy from street vendors and use public transport for a reasonable rate.
- Exchange your currency at cambios, not the airport, for the best rates. It’s possible to withdraw cash from ATMs, but they do charge a fee.
- Get hurricane insurance when traveling in the summer and fall. Also, check with your hotel or other accommodations to see if they have an emergency plan and a safe place to hunker down through the storm.
- Always stay aware of your surroundings, even though Jamaica is fairly safe for tourists. Avoid flashing your money around, walking alone at night and getting into conflicts to keep out of trouble.
- Double your expected travel times to account for traffic and other delays. Leave lots of wiggle room in your itinerary for impromptu stops as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is Jamaica expensive for a vacation?
Jamaica is not typically an expensive vacation destination. At under $5,000 per week for two, the trip is downright reasonable. You’ll likely surpass the average expenses, though, by staying at luxury resorts and eating at fine dining restaurants for every meal.
Is Hawaii or Jamaica cheaper to visit?
A trip to Hawaii is more affordable than vacationing in Jamaica. A weeklong stay in Hawaii for two people is $3,335 on average. A similar trip to Jamaica costs about $4,200. Both vacation destinations can cost much more if you want to splurge on luxurious accommodations.
How much money should I bring to Jamaica for a week?
Bring at least $150 per person on your trip to Jamaica to cover transportation, street food and other purchases from small vendors. Exchange your money for Jamaican dollars at the cambios instead of the airport to get the best rates.
What is the most expensive month to travel to Jamaica?
Most years, the most expensive month to travel to Jamaica is December. The peak travel season stretches from early December all the way through April, however. During that time, prices of plane tickets, accommodations and more go up with demand.
What is the currency in Jamaica?
The currency in Jamaica is Jamaican dollars. Most places accept United States dollars, but you’ll want to exchange some of your money to pay for transportation and street vendor food and wares. Go to the cambios for the best exchange rates.
So, What Is the Average Cost for a Jamaica Trip?
| 🛎️ Average Accommodation Cost | $275 per night |
| ✈️ Average Flight Cost | $300 per person |
| 🍽️ Food, Drink & Activities | $100 per person per day |
| 🚕 Transportation | $40 per day |
| 💲 Total Cost | $4,200 |
A tropical getaway for two is just $4,200 and a plane ride away. Although that might feel like a lot, it’s well worth saving up for this trip of a lifetime.
Jamaica offers endless opportunities for fun in the sun and the ultimate in culinary journeys and cultural explorations. Want to make the trip even more affordable? Skip the all-inclusive resorts in favor of Airbnb rentals.
Ride the coasters instead of hiring a private driver. Savor street food deliciousness over dining at sit-down restaurants for every meal. And enjoy all the beach trips and other free activities you can fit into every day.
Whether you go all out on big-ticket experiences or travel on a budget, you’re sure to create a lifetime of memories to cherish. So, don’t wait another moment. Start planning and then book your trip today. Happy travels!