A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kingston vs. Cocoa Beach for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kingston or Cocoa Beach?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Cocoa Beach, 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: Kingston or Cocoa Beach?

Kingston

Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach, Florida has long been a favorite vacation spot for travelers looking for sun, sand, and waves. The location was also made famous as the setting for the 1960's television show, "I Dream of Jeannie". The town of just over 11,000 is located in Brevard County along the Atlantic coast. Many people visit the area because of its excellent surfing. There are many surfing festivals and competitions held here yearly and the famous Ron Jon's surf shop receives about 2 million visitors a year. The city is also home to the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Cocoa Beach or Kingston?

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

  • Kingston Prices
    Jamaica Prices
    Cocoa Beach Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kingston $123
    Cocoa Beach $176

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Cocoa Beach is $176. 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 Kingston and Cocoa Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $62
    Cocoa Beach $85
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $124
    Cocoa Beach $170
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Cocoa Beach

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Cocoa Beach? 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 Kingston


Hotels in Cocoa Beach


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: Kingston Hotel Prices and Cocoa Beach Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $28
    Cocoa Beach $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Transfer for Kingston Airport to and from Hotels in Montego Bay: $173
  • Runaway Bay Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $261
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $24
  • Private Transfer from Montego Bay Port to Kingston Airport (KIN): $268
  • Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
  • Private Arrivals or Departures Transfer: Norman Manley Airport to Kingston : $136
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Kingston International Airport to Hotel: $53
  • Private Airport transfer from MBJ to & from Hotel's in Ochi Rios : $46
  • Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
  • NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cocoa Beach

Also for Cocoa Beach, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Melbourne to Port Canaveral: $295

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Cocoa Beach?

Prices for flights to both Cocoa Beach and Kingston 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
    Kingston $44
    Cocoa Beach $75

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cocoa Beach

For Cocoa Beach, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 3 Hour Indian River Queen Cruise with Dinner: $79
  • Village Food Tours Lunch & History Tour: $100

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $12
    Cocoa Beach $16

Tours and Activities in Kingston

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

  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
  • Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
  • Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
  • Blue Mountain Tour: A Half-Day Escape from Kingston: $1,011
  • Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
  • Bob Marley Guided City Tour: $95
  • Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
  • Bob Marley Museum Express Tour from Port Royal Cruise Port: $141
  • Bob Marley Museum, Devon House and Downtown Kingston Tour: $134
  • City Tour of Kingston Including Entry Fees: $105
  • Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
  • Devon House City Tour Combo: $85

Tours and Activities in Cocoa Beach

For Cocoa Beach, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Palm Bay by 3Quest Challenge: $10
  • 2 Hr Dolphin & Manatee River Cruise . Melbourne, Cocoa Beach,Fl. : $30
  • Brevard County Tours, dolphin and manatee tours in Palm Bay, FL: $40
  • 1-Hour Virtual Reality Experience Skull & Books VR - Cocoa Beach: $45
  • Cocoa Beach Dolphin and Wildlife Tour: $48
  • Cocoa Beach Sunset Tour: $48
  • Cocoa Beach Dolphin and Wildlife Tour: $48
  • Sunset Cruise: $48
  • Dolphin Eco Cruise Nature Adventure in Cocoa Beach: $49
  • 2 hour Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Melbourne Florida : $49
  • Guided Kayak Tour with Manatee & Dolphin Sightings: $50
  • Manatee and Dolphin Kayak Tour: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Cocoa Beach $20


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Cocoa Beach, we can see that Cocoa Beach is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Cocoa Beach 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 Kingston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kingston 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 Cocoa Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cocoa Beach than you might in Kingston.

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


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Cocoa Beach?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Cocoa Beach. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Cocoa Beach, 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 Kingston or Cocoa Beach?

Cocoa Beach has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kingston experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Kingston or Cocoa Beach in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Cocoa Beach. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Kingston is around the same temperature as Cocoa Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Cocoa Beach fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Cocoa Beach. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Cocoa Beach 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Cocoa Beach in the Autumn?

Both Cocoa Beach and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Kingston is a little warmer than Cocoa Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Cocoa Beach averages at about 77°F (25°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cocoa Beach. It's quite rainy in Kingston. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Cocoa Beach. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Cocoa Beach is the hurricane season.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Cocoa Beach 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Cocoa Beach in the Winter?

Both Cocoa Beach and Kingston during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Cocoa Beach because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Cocoa Beach. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Cocoa Beach fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Cocoa Beach. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Cocoa Beach 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Cocoa Beach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Cocoa Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year.

Kingston is a little warmer than Cocoa Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Cocoa Beach fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Cocoa Beach. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Cocoa Beach 73°F (23°C)

Typical Weather for Cocoa Beach and Kingston

Kingston Cocoa Beach
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 63°F (17°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 67°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 73°F (23°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 77°F (25°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 80°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (181 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 81°F (27°C) 8.3 inches (211 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 81°F (27°C) 6.7 inches (171 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 81°F (27°C) 7.2 inches (183 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 77°F (25°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 69°F (21°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 64°F (18°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm)