A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubrovnik vs. Montego Bay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dubrovnik or Montego Bay?

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

Should I visit Dubrovnik or Montego Bay? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Dubrovnik or Montego Bay?

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic", is a beautiful walled city in southern Croatia that sits on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. It's a small city, with only about 40,000 residents, but it's become one of the most significant tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city was historically built on maritime trade, which is not surprising given its location near major Italian and Greek ports such as Venice, Bari, Corfu, and Trieste. It was a center of language and literature and was the home of many important poets, playwrights, painters, and scientists during the 15th and 16th centuries. Today its economy is dependent on tourism and it is one of the most popular destinations in the region. People visit the city for its impressive history, beautiful setting, great weather, and interesting architecture.

Montego Bay

As with most places around the tropical oasis of Jamaica, Montego Bay (or "MoBay") is an ideal place to visit for a Caribbean getaway. It is Jamaica's second largest city and the capital of St. James parish on the northern coast. Montego Bay is considered to be the tourist capital of the country and is where the largest airport is located, bringing in many international travelers.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Dubrovnik?

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

  • Dubrovnik Prices
    Croatia Prices
    Montego Bay Prices
    Jamaica Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Dubrovnik 158
    Montego Bay 223

The average daily cost (per person) in Dubrovnik is €158, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is €223. 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 Dubrovnik and Montego Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dubrovnik 65
    Montego Bay 88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dubrovnik 130
    Montego Bay 176
Compare Hotels in Dubrovnik and Montego Bay

Looking for a hotel in Dubrovnik or Montego Bay? 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 Dubrovnik


Hotels in Montego Bay


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: Dubrovnik Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dubrovnik 22
    Montego Bay 13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubrovnik

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubrovnik:


  • Bus Around Town
    1.43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubrovnik

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

  • Cavtat, Mlini & Srebreno to Dubrovnik Old Town Speedboat Transfer: $24
  • Private transfer from Dubrovnik airport to Dubrovnik city: $24
  • Dubrovnik to Koločep Island Ferry Scenic Transfer: $24
  • Return transfer to Dubrovnik airport: $26
  • Private Transfer between Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik Airport: $27
  • Private return transfer to Dubrovnik airport: $29
  • Convenient Bus Transfer from/to Split: $33
  • Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) to Dubrovnik - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
  • Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik Airport (DBV): Departure Private Transfer: $37
  • Bus transfer between Dubrovnik and Herceg Novi: $37
  • Private AirPort Transfer Dubrovnik by CRUISER TAXI: $39
  • Departure Private Transfer: Dubrovnik City to Dubrovnik Airport by Business Car: $41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • Jet Car Adventure in Montego Bay Daytrip with Transfers: $300
  • Chevy Suburban Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $300
  • Mercedes Benz Sprinter Airport Transfer: $300
  • Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport To Ocho Rios: $267
  • Blue Hole & Horseback Riding Tour with Transfers from Montego Bay: $265
  • Airport - Ocho Rios Hotels Transfers and Returns: $260
  • SUV Prado Transfer from Montego Bay Airport: $257
  • Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Kingston Hotels: $245
  • MBJ Airport to Strawberry Hill Hotel & Spa Transfer: $243
  • Airport-Negril Hotels Transfers and Returns For 1- 4 persons: $230
  • Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Negril (Round Trip): $225
  • Private Airport Transfers To and From Kingston (KIN) Airport: $200

Is it cheaper to fly into Dubrovnik or Montego Bay?

Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Dubrovnik 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
    Dubrovnik 75
    Montego Bay 122
Typical Food Prices in Dubrovnik

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubrovnik:


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2)
    29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubrovnik

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

  • Gastro Dinner and Cruise around Dubrovnik Old Town: $92
  • Sunset Dubrovnik & Dinner At St Jacob Beach: $100
  • Taste A Full Meal Walking Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $129
  • Dinner in the Sky Dubrovnik - Dine 50m Above Ground: $138
  • Old Town Dubrovnik Food Tour of 10+ Authentic Croatian Tastings: $140
  • Croatian Traditional Cuisine: Peka Cooking Lesson: $159
  • Dinner with Signature – A 5-Course Authentic Experience: $159
  • Dubrovnik Sunset Cruise with dinner on board: $162
  • Dubrovnik Old Town Food Tour: Small-Group Experience: $165
  • Cooking Classes Traditional Meals of Konavle region: $204
  • Blue Cave, Elaphiti Islands, Wine Tasting and Cooking Experience: $258
  • Traditional Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside: $283

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.

  • Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour: $50
  • Dinner or Lunch with Pickup from Montego Bay: $50
  • Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
  • Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $95
  • 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
  • Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $130
  • Dinner or lunch at pier one Montego bay Food Tour: $144
  • Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
  • Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
  • Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
  • Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations: $175
  • Authentic Jamaican Cooking Experience in the Mountain from mobay: $210

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dubrovnik 15
    Montego Bay 27
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubrovnik

For Dubrovnik, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Boat to Lokrum Island (for 2)
    13
  • Dubrovnik City Wall Tour (for 2)
    53
  • Dubrovnik Cable Car (for 2)
    45

Tours and Activities in Dubrovnik

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubrovnik.

  • Self Guided Private Tour of Dubrovnik's Best Kept Secrets: $3.53
  • Selfguide® Secrets Tour Dubrovnik with Game of Thrones Spots: $5.31
  • Self guided walking tour of Dubrovnik with audio guide: $5.90
  • Dubrovnik Medieval Adventure: Self-Guided City Quest: $5.90
  • Dubrovnik Audio guided walking tour 1h and 18 audio reviews: $6.96
  • Dubrovnik Game Of Thrones self-guided tour with mobile app: $8.99
  • Private Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour in Dubrovnik Old Town: $9.43
  • Game of Thrones Filming Locations Walking Tour in Dubrovnik: $10
  • Museum of Selfies & Illusions Dubrovnik Ticket: $11
  • Skip the Line: Love Stories Museum Admission Ticket: $11
  • Dubrovnik Old Town Walking Tour with Audioguide: $12
  • TOP Dubrovnik : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $12

Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:


  • Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach
    2.30
  • Snorkeling Trip
    16
  • One Tank Dive
    32
  • 1.5 Hr Horseback Ride
    37

Tours and Activities in Montego Bay

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:

  • “ATV Adventure & Rick’s Café Experience from Montego Bay: $123
  • 1 Hour Efoil Experience in Montego Bay: $150
  • 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
  • 2 Days Of Blue Hole, Dunns River Falls & Hidden Beauty Adventure: $180
  • 2 Days Private Jamaica Tour: $230
  • 27/27 Lounge, Pier 1 & Margaritaville Nightlife Experience: $80
  • 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
  • 3-Hour Private Tour in the Highlights of Montego Bay: $58
  • 4 Hours Party Boat Catamaran Cruise in Negril: $190
  • 4 Hours Private Night Life Experience in Montego Bay: $66
  • 4-Hour Catamaran Party Cruise with Open Bar from Montego Bay: $200
  • 5 Hour Private Tour at Negril Beach and Rick's Cafe: $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dubrovnik 16
    Montego Bay 11

Sample the Local Flavors in Dubrovnik

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubrovnik:

  • Dubrovnik Sunset Tour with Wine Tasting: $41
  • Panoramic Dubrovnik Tour Golden Hour Sunset and Wine Tasting: $46
  • Private Scenic Sunset Tour & Premium Wine Tasting Above Dubrovnik: $52
  • Wine Tasting in Konavle, Near Dubrovnik & Cavtat – Join Us!: $53
  • Columbo Pub Crawl Dubrovnik: $71
  • Ston and Korcula Island Day Trip from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $81
  • Day Tour of Korcula Island from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $81
  • Day trip to Korčula and Pelješac with Wine Tasting: $92
  • Konavle Valley Wine Tour from Dubrovnik -Train Ride &Wine Tasting: $94
  • Sunset wine tasting in vineyard: $94
  • Konavle Valley Wine Tasting from Dubrovnik with Light Lunch: $112
  • Full Day Korcula and Peljesac Wine Tasting Tour in Dubrovnik: $116

Sample the Local Flavors in Montego Bay

Also in Montego Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $39
  • Montego Bay Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $255


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

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


Which is Bigger, Dubrovnik or Montego Bay?

Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dubrovnik. When comparing the sizes of Dubrovnik and Montego Bay, 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 Dubrovnik or Montego Bay?

Dubrovnik has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montego Bay experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Dubrovnik or Montego Bay in the Summer?

Both Montego Bay and Dubrovnik during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dubrovnik in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.

In July, Dubrovnik is generally cooler than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Dubrovnik average around 25°C (77°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Dubrovnik usually gets less rain in July than Montego Bay. Dubrovnik gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dubrovnik 25°C (77°F) 
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Dubrovnik or Montego Bay in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubrovnik and Montego Bay. Most visitors come to Dubrovnik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Dubrovnik is cooler than Montego Bay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dubrovnik averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Dubrovnik gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Dubrovnik usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Dubrovnik gets 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dubrovnik 18°C (64°F) 
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Dubrovnik or Montego Bay in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dubrovnik as well as Montego Bay. The winter months attract visitors to Dubrovnik because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.

In the winter, Dubrovnik is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dubrovnik in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 24°C (75°F).

Dubrovnik receives a lot of rain in the winter. Dubrovnik usually gets more rain in January than Montego Bay. Dubrovnik gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dubrovnik 9°C (48°F) 
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Dubrovnik or Montego Bay in the Spring?

Both Montego Bay and Dubrovnik are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Dubrovnik this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Dubrovnik is generally much colder than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Dubrovnik average around 14°C (57°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite rainy in Dubrovnik. In April, Dubrovnik usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Dubrovnik gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dubrovnik 14°C (57°F) 
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik Montego Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (48°F) 139 mm (5.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 125 mm (4.9 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 11°C (52°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 14°C (57°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 75 mm (3 in) 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 26 mm (1 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 101 mm (4 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 162 mm (6.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec 11°C (52°F) 178 mm (7 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)