Comparison · Havana vs Montego Bay · Cuba / Jamaica
Havana vs Montego Bay
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: RenaatPeeters, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Havana for Old Havana, Malecón, lower day-to-day costs and free sights; choose Montego Bay for Doctor's Cave Beach and Hip Strip. Havana is generally less expensive, and the two are about 694 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 694 km
- Less expensive
- Havana
- Best time for Havana
- November–April
- Best time for Montego Bay
- December–April
Side by side
| Havana | Montego Bay | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Cuba | Jamaica |
| Known for | Old Havana, Malecón and Classic American cars | Doctor's Cave Beach, Hip Strip and Jerk cooking |
| Best time to visit | November–April | December–April |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 7 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $110–$220 | $180–$350 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | August, 33°C (91°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 26°C (79°F) | January, 30°C (86°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 5 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 5 |
| Beaches | Santa María del Mar | Doctor's Cave Beach |
| Airports | HAV | MBJ, KIN |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Havana for…
Old Havana, Malecón, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. Havana, Cuba's capital, spreads west from a sheltered harbour along the Caribbean coast. Old Havana (Habana Vieja), a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its fortifications, holds four restored colonial plazas, baroque churches and pastel mansions; Centro…
Choose Montego Bay for…
Doctor's Cave Beach and Hip Strip. Montego Bay, on Jamaica's northwest coast, is where most visitors to the island arrive, through Sangster International Airport on the edge of town. The Hip Strip along Gloucester Avenue has Doctor's Cave Beach, bars and jerk stands; the historic downtown…
Top sights compared
| # | Havana | Montego Bay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plaza de la Catedral and Havana Cathedral | Doctor's Cave Beach |
| 2 | Plaza de Armas | Hip Strip |
| 3 | Plaza Vieja | Rose Hall Great House |
| 4 | Plaza de San Francisco de Asís | Greenwood Great House |
| 5 | El Capitolio | Sam Sharpe Square |
Food compared
| Havana | Montego Bay |
|---|---|
| Ropa vieja | Jerk chicken and pork |
| Moros y cristianos | Ackee and saltfish |
| Lechón asado | Curry goat |
| Yuca con mojo | Escovitch fish |
Which is cheaper?
Havana is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $110–$220 per person there, against $180–$350 in Montego Bay (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Havana on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Havana and Montego Bay are about 694 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Havana and 7 in Montego Bay.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Havana or Montego Bay cheaper?
Havana is usually less expensive: about $110–$220 a day mid-range against $180–$350 (estimates).
+Is Havana or Montego Bay better for a first trip?
Pick Havana for Old Havana, Malecón, lower day-to-day costs and free sights, or Montego Bay for Doctor's Cave Beach and Hip Strip.
+How far is Havana from Montego Bay?
About 694 km in a straight line.