Montego Bay and Cancun are each well-liked Caribbean seashore locations, however they do have some variations. In case you’re attempting to decide on between Montego Bay vs. Cancun on your subsequent trip, try our comparability that will help you determine.
Our Montego Bay vs. Cancun Fast Picks
- Montego Bay vs. Cancun Value: Cancun
- Montego Bay vs. Cancun Nightlife: Cancun
- Montego Bay vs. Cancun Security: Tied
- Montego Bay vs. Cancun Seashores: Montego Bay
Montego Bay vs. Cancun: Overview
Each of those locations are within the Caribbean, supply beautiful beaches and lots to do, and are simple to get to from the U.S. They’ll every get fairly crowded, particularly throughout peak season and holidays like spring break. Each Montego Bay and Cancun can be inexpensive or costly relying on the place you keep and whenever you go.
Nonetheless, Montego Bay is on the island of Jamaica, and Cancun is on the coast of Mexico, so that they differ in native tradition, delicacies, and language.
Montego Bay is the liveliest city in Jamaica, recognized for actions, watersports, cultural and historic websites, procuring, festivals, and nightlife. You’ll discover white sand seashores, calm water, and a wide range of eating places and bars.
Whereas there are many issues to do in Montego Bay, there are additionally all types of enjoyable excursions you’ll be able to take to go ziplining, climbing, river rafting, waterfall swimming, scuba diving, and extra.
You’ll have a spread of lodging to select from in Montego Bay, from cheap inns to boutique inns to luxurious all-inclusive resorts which might be good for households or {couples}.
Cancun can also be a full of life spot. Located on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, this thrilling resort city has white sand seashores, crystal clear water, a spread of actions each within the city and close by, and procuring. It additionally gives nice eating places and loads of nightlife.
You’ll be able to spend your entire trip on the seashore and in your resort, or head out to discover on land or within the water. Not solely is the snorkeling and scuba diving wonderful within the Caribbean, however you too can swim in “cenotes,” that are wonderful pure sinkholes. There are additionally unbelievable historic websites resembling Mayan ruins close by.
Cancun has a wide range of lodging choices as effectively, from cheap inns to upscale boutique inns to swanky all-inclusive resorts for each adults and households. Many of those are within the well-known “Lodge Zone,” which could be fairly crowded and busy.
Montego Bay vs. Cancun: Seashores
In case you love a good looking white-sand seashore, you actually can’t go fallacious with both Montego Bay or Cancun. They each supply a wide range of seashores with glowing heat water and loads of facilities, and each are prime locations for snorkeling and scuba diving. Nonetheless, Cancun’s waters are significantly clear and have in depth reefs, wrecks, and the most important underwater museum on the planet.
Montego Bay Seashores
Montego Bay is likely one of the hottest spots in all of Jamaica, and one of many greatest attracts is the seashores. Positioned on the north coast of the island, Montego Bay gives the right mix of metropolis bustle and calm nature. Seashores have smooth white sand and wonderful turquoise water, and there’ll usually be eating places, bars, and watersports accessible.
There are multiple beaches to choose from in Montego Bay. In case you keep at a beachfront resort, you’ll have entry to a white-sand stretch with loads of facilities. You may as well seashore hop at prime native seashores like Physician’s Cove, mentioned to have restorative mineral springs, Cornwall Seaside, and Lifeless Finish Seaside. Lifeless Finish Seaside is particularly well-liked for sunsets.
Many of the seashores in Montego Bay are usually busy, because it’s such a preferred space, however Cornwall Seaside is a quieter possibility.
Cancun Seashores
Positioned alongside the Caribbean, Cancun is understood for its white-sand seashores and turquoise-colored water. Watersports like jet snowboarding, paddleboarding, and parasailing are supplied on each seashore. You may as well e book a deep-sea fishing journey or go scuba diving or snorkeling at cenotes or coral reefs.
Another choice is taking a 30-minute ferry journey to Isla Mujeres, which is a tiny island close to Cancun. Whereas there, you’ll be able to hire a golf cart and discover the island or chill on the seashore sipping a chilly cerveza (Mexican beer).
Nonetheless, since Cancun is such a preferred place for vacationers, the seashores can get busy. If you wish to try a neighborhood seashore off the overwhelmed path, then we suggest going to Isla Blanca. You will have to hire a automotive and the street can get tough, however it’s a secluded seashore away from the gang.
One factor to be careful for in Cancun is the occasional look of sargassum seaweed, which isn’t a lot of a difficulty in Jamaica.
Montego Bay vs. Cancun: Value
Relying on the place and whenever you select to go, Montego Bay and Cancun can are available at very completely different worth factors.
Typically, there are numerous completely different choices you’ll discover when planning a visit to Cancun or Montego Bay, however the resorts in Cancun are usually barely inexpensive. Flights to Cancun additionally are usually inexpensive, possible as a result of there are extra choices accessible.
Nonetheless, each Montego Bay and Cancun could be inexpensive choices. They can be very costly. The price of your journey will rely upon the place you’re flying from, what time of 12 months you go to, and what kinds of lodging and actions you like.
Montego Bay vs. Cancun: Climate
Climate in Montego Bay and Cancun may be very comparable. Like most tropical climates, each Montego Bay and Cancun have wet and stormy seasons. The excellent news is that more often than not, the climate is sunny, and it’s at all times heat.
Montego Bay Climate
The climate in Montego Bay is heat year-round, however there are wet and dry seasons. Jamaica’s dry season is mid-December to mid-April, so this is likely one of the hottest occasions to go to.
Montego Bay’s wet season is between Could and November, so there could be frequent rain showers. There’s additionally a danger of hurricanes, though it’s fairly low in Jamaica. They’re most certainly in August, September, and October. Nonetheless, that is when you’ll find a few of the finest offers, so it could be value visiting then so long as you get journey insurance coverage.
Cancun Climate
Cancun has a tropical local weather with 250 sunny days per 12 months. The rain falls principally within the moist season, between Could and October. In the course of the 12 months, highs vary from low 80s to low 90s, and lows from higher 60s to excessive 70s.
The very best time to go to Cancun is December by means of April. It’s the height season however the flights are sometimes low cost. Between mid-March and early April, nevertheless, it’s full of vacationers on spring break.
Cancun in the summertime has frequent thunderstorms and overcast days. The seashores could be windy and muggy, and the water is tough. Hurricane season is June to November, so in case you plan a visit to Cancun throughout these months, it would be best to get journey insurance coverage.
Montego Bay vs. Cancun: Resorts
Each Montego Bay and Cancun have nice lodging choices. Each of those tropical scorching spots are recognized for his or her all-inclusive resorts, however you’ll find loads of different choices too, starting from cheap to boutique inns.
Montego Bay Resorts
Sandals Royal Caribbean
One in every of two Sandals adults-only all-inclusive resorts in Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean encompasses a attractive white-sand seashore and a personal offshore island with one other seashore plus a pool with a swim-up bar and a restaurant. That is additionally the place you’ll discover wonderful overwater bungalows for a super-luxurious and romantic keep.
There are 9 eating places, 6 bars, a number of swimming pools, a variety of complimentary watersports together with snorkeling and scuba diving, land actions, nightly leisure, a health middle, and a spa. You even have entry to all of the services and facilities at close by Sandals Montego Bay, through a free shuttle service.
Along with the overwater bungalows, you’ll be able to select from a wide selection of lodging together with swim-up suites and beachfront suites–a lot of which include outsized soaking tubs for 2 and butler service.
Half Moon Resort
This elegant resort hosts celebrities, royalty, and everybody else on its breathtaking stretch of the Caribbean. A family-run resort, Half Moon Resort options one thing for everybody, from {couples} to households.
Foodies will love the contemporary, domestically sourced substances, used to create conventional Jamaican meals and different scrumptious choices at 4 eating places. The romantic Sugar Mill Restaurant is likely one of the prime eating places on the island.
Select from rooms, suites, or massive villas with personal swimming pools and butler service. Get pleasure from 5 bars, a number of swimming pools, watersports, golf, tennis, horseback driving, a health middle, a playground, and a spa.
Cancun Resorts
In Cancun, the most well-liked place to remain is the Lodge Zone, which incorporates greater than 100 inns and resorts starting from 2 to five stars. You may as well discover extra secluded choices in case you favor a quieter keep.
Le Blanc Spa Cancun Resort
The award-winning adults-only all-inclusive Le Blanc Spa Resort is brimming with deluxe remedies and opulent facilities. From lagoon-style swimming pools and spas to extensive terraces and plush rooms, the resort lets you spend your vacation in splendor. The worth is on the steep facet however when you have the price range, it’s value it!
Positioned on certainly one of Cancun’s finest seashores, visitors can partake in water actions or go to the spa to get pampered. The resort has six eating places and several other swimming pools to select from. You may as well go {golfing}.
Moon Palace Cancun
Moon Palace Cancun is a big all-inclusive resort providing over 2,400 rooms that characteristic marble counter tops and flooring. Friends can lounge in luxurious with bathrobes, slippers, day by day restocked mini bars, liquor dispensers, whirlpool baths, and 24-hour room service.
What units Moon Palace Cancun other than different all-inclusive resorts in Cancun are the onsite facilities. These embody a water park that includes a FlowRider surf simulator, a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, and a bowling alley. Teenagers and children may also take pleasure in child packages, whereas adults can make the most of the limitless cocktails, spa, and hydrotherapy space.
Montego Bay vs. Cancun: Issues to Do
You’ll be able to ensure that whether or not you go to Montego Bay or Cancun, you’ll by no means be bored. Each of those locations supply a ton of actions, a lot of that are comparable. Nonetheless, there are some variations.
Montego Bay Actions
As we talked about above, Montego Bay has a number of stunning seashores to select from, whether or not you wish to loosen up on the sand or be extra lively. There are many watersports choices right here, from snorkeling and scuba diving to paddleboarding and kayaking to boat rides and parasailing.
You’ll be able to snorkel proper off the seashore in Montego Bay alongside thriving coral reefs which might be simply offshore. Or go to the Montego Bay Marine Park, which permits snorkeling and scuba diving in its protected waters which might be residence to all kinds of marine life. You may as well go swimming with horses in Montego Bay.
Different actions in Montego Bay embody {golfing}, river rafting, touring native historic properties, procuring, and eating on scrumptious native delicacies whether or not at informal cafes or gourmand eating places.
Space excursions embody jungle safari excursions, climbing, horseback driving, ziplining, Jamaican bobsledding at Mystic Mountain Journey Park, Dunn’s River Falls, Inexperienced Grotto Caves, historic websites, botanic gardens, and the Appleton Rum Property.
Cancun Actions
Other than stress-free on the gorgeous seashores, a few of the hottest actions in Cancun are snorkeling and scuba diving. These are wonderful right here as a result of thriving native reefs and marine life, in addition to loads of shipwrecks and the world’s largest underwater museums. It’s additionally value visiting two attractive close by islands positioned, Isla Mujeres and Cozumel.
An exercise that Cancun gives which Montego Bay doesn’t is the chance to discover historical Mayan ruins. The previous capital of Mayan civilization, Chichen Itza is positioned two hours away. One other close by city to take a look at with stunning seashores and fascinating ruins is Tulum.
You may as well take a cruise off the coast to take pleasure in secluded seashores on close by islands. There are a number of corporations that may take you to see the close by jungle and small islands, and to go snorkeling. Most cruises embody some sort of meals and drinks or an open bar.
Cancun gives nice procuring experiences with upscale malls resembling La Isla and Luxurious Avenue. It’s additionally well-known for its vibrant nightlife together with nightclubs and seashore bars. Coco Bongo, Señor Frogs, and Mandala are the most well-liked spots for vacationers.
Montego Bay vs. Cancun: Security
Just lately, each the U.S. and Canada have issued “rethink” journey warnings for these planning journeys to Jamaica due to an increase in crime. Nonetheless, plenty of people visit Montego Bay without issue.
Whereas Cancun is taken into account a protected place to go to, there may be cartel exercise there. Nonetheless, this crime normally isn’t focused towards vacationers, and the police presence may be very robust. It’s beneficial to remain within the touristy areas, such because the Lodge Zone.
When visiting both Cancun or Montego Bay, use frequent sense and don’t put your self in a harmful scenario. Most crimes affecting guests are petty thefts and scams, so it’s necessary to be cautious when exterior your resort. Don’t carry numerous money or put on costly jewellery, keep in busy areas, don’t get inebriated, don’t settle for drinks from strangers, and hold your eyes in your drink always.
No matter which vacation spot you in the end select, simply keep in mind to apply fundamental security protocols and you must have a good time.
The Verdict: Which is Higher, Montego Bay or Cancun?
So which is best, Montego Bay vs. Cancun? The selection is as much as you. Each of those Caribbean locations supply loads of enjoyable within the solar, simply with a distinct taste. Irrespective of which vacation spot you decide, you’ll create reminiscences that may final a lifetime.
Which one do you select? Tell us within the feedback. And in case you’d like assist planning your journey, be at liberty to contact certainly one of our expert travel agents!
