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

Should you visit Faro or Montego Bay?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Montego Bay, 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: Faro or Montego Bay?

Faro

Faro (or sometimes Faros) is the capital city of the scenic Algarve Region of Portugal, located at the edge of the Ria Formosa National Park. This is a fantastic place to experience the beauty, culture, and traditions of Portugal in laid back atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of the larger cities. Faro offers everything from ancient architecture to beautiful beaches all while being surrounded by the natural beauty of the Algarve Region.

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 in Portugal, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Faro?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Faro is €160, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is €217. 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 Faro and Montego Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Faro 75
    Montego Bay 85
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Faro 150
    Montego Bay 170
Compare Hotels in Faro and Montego Bay

Looking for a hotel in Faro 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 Faro


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: Faro Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Faro 9.52
    Montego Bay 12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Faro

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

  • Faro Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Faro City Centre: $7.05
  • Faro Airport (FAO): Shared One-Way Albufeira Bus Transfer: $13
  • Faro Airport: Comfortable bus transfer to/from Portimão: $16
  • Faro Airport: Private Transfer to Montenegro/Faro/Estoi: $18
  • Faro Airport: Comfortable bus transfer to/from Lagos: $20
  • Faro Airport: Private Transfer to Quarteira & Vilamoura: $26
  • Faro Airport: Private Transfer to Santa Brabara/Olhão: $33
  • Faro Airport:Private Transfer to Quinta do Lago/Vale do Lobo: $35
  • Faro Airport: Private Transfer to Vilamoura/Quarteira: $37
  • Faro Airport:Private Transfer to São Brás Alportel: $41
  • Faro Airport: Private Transfer to Vilamoura/Quarteira: $41
  • Faro airport: Private transfers (car up to 4pax): $47

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • Kingston: One Way Private Transfer to Montego Bay Airport: $319
  • Private Airport Transfers To and From Kingston (KIN) Airport: $200
  • Horseback Ride/Swim and Blue Hole Falls Daytrip with Transfers: $190
  • Green Grato Caves and Dunns River Falls with Private Transfer : $180
  • Riu Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $169
  • Private Martha Brae Bamboo Rafting Tour with Private Transfer: $135
  • Club Mobay VIP Lounge Access and Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $113
  • Private Transfer to Dunns River Blue Hole Tubing from Montego Bay: $110
  • Private Transfer to Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole: $110
  • Experience Jamaica Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $100
  • Airport Transfer Service In Montego bay: $95
  • Sandals South Coast Airport Transfer: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Faro or Montego Bay?

Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Faro 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
    Faro 62
    Montego Bay 119

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Faro

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

  • Faro food tour (with drinks) & city highlights - 10 tastings: $119

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay

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

  • Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $10
  • 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
  • Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica : $130
  • Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
  • Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations : $158
  • PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $190

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Faro 9.41
    Montego Bay 26

Tours and Activities in Faro

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

  • City Sightseeing Tourist Train: $4.70
  • Private & Flexible Walking Tour in Historic Center: $9.40
  • CCVAlgarve Family Ticket | 2 adults + Children: $14
  • Multimedia Museum and Restaurant Tour: $14
  • Faro Story Spot - Multimedia Museum&Restaurant: Tour&Tasting: $23
  • Ria Formosa Sunset Boat Tour: $29
  • FOUR SENSES: The Immersive Experience in the Dark - Faro: $29
  • Faro, Ria Formosa: 2 hour Sunset Cruise: $35
  • Discover Algarve with Vamus 3-Day & 7-Day Tourist Passes: $41
  • Kayak Tour in Ria Formosa - Olhão: $41
  • Best of Faro - Guided Bike Tour (3h): $53
  • From Benagil Cave and Seven Hanging Valleys Trail Tour: $53

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
    2.24
  • Snorkeling Trip
    16
  • One Tank Dive
    31
  • 1.5 Hr Horseback Ride
    36

Tours and Activities in Montego Bay

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

  • Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
  • Dunn’s River Secret falls with Horse-back&Bamboo Raft Experience: $125
  • Falmouth Mystic from Montego Bay Luminous Lagoon Night Tour: $90
  • Luminous Lagoon Glow in the Dark Boat Tour from Montego Bay: $65
  • Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118
  • Private Dolphin Cove Adventure : $250
  • 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
  • 3 Hours Private Highlights Tour & Shopping in Montego Bay Jamaica: $100
  • 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
  • 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
  • ATV Adventure and Rick's Cafe Tour with Transportation: $238
  • ATV Jungle Safari Tour from Montego Bay: $125

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Faro 3.13
    Montego Bay 11

Sample the Local Flavors in Faro

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Faro:

  • City Segway Tour with Wine Tasting Experience: $106
  • WINE TASTING & TAPAS IN THE HEART OF FARO: $115
  • Algarve Private Wine Tour with Private Transportation: $228

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Faro and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Faro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Faro 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 Faro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Faro 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 Faro.

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


Which is Bigger, Faro or Montego Bay?

Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro 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 Faro or Montego Bay?

Faro 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 Faro or Montego Bay in the Summer?

Both Montego Bay and Faro during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.

In the summer, Faro is around the same temperature as Montego Bay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 28°C (82°F).

In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Faro. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Montego Bay. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Montego Bay. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Faro 25°C (78°F) 
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Faro or Montego Bay in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Montego Bay. Many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Faro is generally cooler than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Faro usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Faro 20°C (68°F) 
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Faro or Montego Bay in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Faro as well as Montego Bay. Many visitors come to Faro in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.

Faro is much colder than Montego Bay in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. In the winter, Faro often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets more rain in January than Montego Bay. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Faro 12°C (54°F) 
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Faro or Montego Bay in the Spring?

Both Montego Bay and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Faro for the beaches during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Faro is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Montego Bay during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Faro 17°C (62°F) 
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Faro

Faro Montego Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (54°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 13°C (56°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 15°C (58°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 17°C (62°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 25°C (78°F) 1 mm (0 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 26°C (78°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 16°C (60°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)