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

Should you visit Kingston or Columbia?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Columbia, 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 Columbia?

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.

Columbia

Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kingston or Columbia?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Columbia. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Columbia, 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 Columbia?

Columbia 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 Columbia in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Columbia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, most visitors come to Columbia for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as Columbia. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 29°C (83°F), and Columbia fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Columbia during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Columbia. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kingston or Columbia in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Columbia. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Columbia because of the shopping scene.

Kingston is much warmer than Columbia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the autumn, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun.

Kingston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Columbia. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kingston or Columbia in the Winter?

Both Columbia and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbia this time of year.

In the winter, Kingston is much warmer than Columbia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kingston in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Columbia averages at about 45°F (7°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Columbia during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Columbia. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kingston or Columbia in the Spring?

Both Columbia and Kingston during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Kingston is generally a little warmer than Columbia. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (80°F), and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the spring, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Columbia. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun.

Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Columbia. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Columbia and Kingston