Cost of Living in Kingston

Although I'm usually in Montego Bay, I always spend at least a week in Kingston whenever I'm in Jamaica. I've been there twice a year since 2017. Despite Montegonians warning me about how dangerous it is, using common sense, respecting the locals and their culture, and not being an asshat, unsurprisingly, goes a long way. I'm not big on tourist traps, but stopping by Devon House is a must. If it isn't for the history of its buildings or the beautiful gardens, stop and get an amazing curry goat patty or amazing ice cream. Accommodation costs vary greatly and I've stayed at both the C$80/night Spanish Dream to $300/night at Spanish Court. Longer term stays would benefit greatly from having a local Kingstonian's assistance. Transportation costs also vary based on the honesty of your taxi driver. Locals are generally friendly and I was lucky to have experienced the nightlife from the club scene to outdoor reggae parties, and local dancehall parties. I've never felt unsafe but I was also always with locals who knew their way around the city. Food is amazing and pricing varies greatly as well. The culture is not LGBT friendly and the internet infrastructure is spotty even in the better areas. I often found myself without solid access and simply used it as an excuse to enjoy myself versus working. Definitely a city worth visiting either way.