Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Florianopolis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Florianopolis or Montego Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Florianopolis 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: Florianopolis or Montego Bay?
Florianopolis
With a population of almost 500,000, Florianopolis is the capital city of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The city is split between mainland Brazil and Santa Catarina Island.
Florianopolis has grown in popularity with tourists recently because of its wonderful scenery, beautiful beaches, and fascinating culture. Many Brazilians have also moved here, leaving behind the big cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Florianopolis has a warm humid subtropical climate. There are summer, winter, spring and fall seasons. Frosts are rare but do occur occasionally. Highs during the warmest months are usually in the high 70s Fahrenheit. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year and there is no distinct dry season.
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 G Adventures Tours to Brazil, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFlorianopolis $62Montego Bay $203
The average daily cost (per person) in Florianopolis is $62, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is $203. 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 Florianopolis and Montego Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlorianopolis $26Montego Bay $104
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlorianopolis $52Montego Bay $208
Compare Hotels in Florianopolis and Montego Bay
Looking for a hotel in Florianopolis 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.
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: Florianopolis Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Florianopolis $13Montego Bay $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florianopolis
Also for Florianopolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hercilio Luz Airport - North Island Transfer: $14
- Private Transfer Florianópolis Airport to City Center: $32
- Shared transfer from Florianópolis airport to Balneário Camboriú: $35
- Florianópolis Airport Transfer anywhere on the island by Floripa Nativa: $40
- One Way Transfer : Florianopolis Airport to or from Florianopolis: $64
- Transfer Florianópolis Airport / Costão do Santinho: $78
- Private Transfer from FLN Airport to the City Balneario Camboriú : $84
- Private Transfer Florianopolis Airport to Bal. Camboriu: $96
- Private Transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $97
- Roundtrip transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $168
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Transfer from/to Airport, Riu Reggae, Riu Montego Bay, Riu Palace: $17
- Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Iberostar zone: $55
- Tobys Resort Private Airport Transfer: $20
- Sunset at the Palms Negril Airport Transfers: $53
- Southcoast Private Airport Transfer: $108
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Negril: $27
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Lucea : $20
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $8.33
- Secrets Wild Orchid Hotel Airport Transfer : $21
- Secrets Wild Ochid/ St. James Private Airport Transfer: $43
- Secrets Resort Airport Transfer: $20
- Secrets & Breathless Hotel Montego Bay - Private Airport Transfer: $24
Is it cheaper to fly into Florianopolis or Montego Bay?
Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Florianopolis 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
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Food Meals for one dayFlorianopolis $22Montego Bay $84
Typical Food Prices in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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A Quick Snack$0.44
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Private Transportation to DINNER or NIGHT CLUBS: $55
- Lunch or Dinner with Pickup from Montego Bay : $81
- Night cruise and swim the Falmouth Mystic Lagoon, Dinner and Rum Punch Inclusive: $85
- Rick’s Cafe Cliff Diving, Sunset & Dinner Tour with Transportation : $130
- Sunset Boat Ride in the Falmouth Luminous Lagoon swim and Dinner : $165
- Sunset Boat Cruise in Falmouth Luminous Lagoon, Swim and Dinner : $170
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Houseboat Restaurant and Grill for Dinner Private Transportation : $180
- Private Sea-Food Tour & Floyds Pelican Bar from Montego Bay or ..: $185
- [PRIVATE] Premium Jamaican Food Tour of Local Cuisine: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Florianopolis $26Montego Bay $32
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florianopolis
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Florianopolis's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Internet$0.59
Tours and Activities in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Historic Center Walking Tour in Florianopolis with Local Bar Hop: $14
- Bombinhas Beach and 4 Islands Tour: $22
- Shared Shuttle between Florianópolis Airport and Hotel with optional City Tour: $23
- Florianópolis Full Day City Tour: $25
- Rafting Adventure in Apuama - Rio Cubatão in Greater Florianópolis: $30
- Floripa City Tour by Bus - Whole Island - The Most Complete City Tour: $32
- Balneário Camboriú City Tour from Florianópolis: $35
- Blumenau City Tour - departing from Florianópolis: $37
- Tour Balneario Camboriu and Laranjeiras Beach TELEFERICO INCLUDED: $37
- Blumenau City Tour from Florianópolis: $38
- Private Tour: The 7 Most Preserved Beaches on the South Island by Floripa Nativa: $39
- Lagoinha do Leste Hiking and Photography Adventure : $42
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
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Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.74
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$38
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$44
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- ATV Adventure to Seven Mile Beach and Ricks Cafe: $220
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting, and Horseback Ride Tour From Montego Bay: $173
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Pelican Bar Customize Tour: $120
- Bioluminescence Lagoon tour from Montego Bay with Pick Up: $105
- Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
- Blue Hole Adventure Tour : $120
- Dirt Adventure ATV from Montego Bay: $160
- Floyds Pelican Bar Private Tour : $155
- Green Grotto Cave Private Tour: $115
- Horseback Riding and Tour from Montego Bay : $230
- Jetski Experience: $245
- Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlorianopolis $8.68Montego Bay $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florianopolis
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florianopolis from other travelers:
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Beer$0.59
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 Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $215
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Florianopolis and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Florianopolis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Florianopolis is in South America 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 Florianopolis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Florianopolis Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Florianopolis or Montego Bay?
Florianopolis has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis or Montego Bay?
Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis or Montego Bay in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as Montego Bay. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.
Florianopolis is cooler than Montego Bay in the summer. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 25°C (76°F) in January, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. In the summer, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than Montego Bayin July. Florianopolis gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun.
Florianopolis receives a lot of rain in the summer. Florianopolis usually gets more rain in January than Montego Bayin July. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyFlorianopolis 25°C (76°F)Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or Montego Bay in the Autumn?
Both Montego Bay and Florianopolis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Florianopolis is cooler than Montego Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Florianopolis in April average around 22°C (71°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during autumn. Florianopolis gets 179 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. In April, Florianopolis usually receives less rain than Montego Bayin October. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberFlorianopolis 22°C (71°F)Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or Montego Bay in the Winter?
Both Montego Bay and Florianopolis during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
In July, Florianopolis is generally cooler than Montego Bayin January. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 17°C (62°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than Montego Bayin January. Florianopolis gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun.
Florianopolis usually gets more rain in July than Montego Bayin January. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryFlorianopolis 17°C (62°F)Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or Montego Bay in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and Montego Bay. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Florianopolis is cooler than Montego Bay in the spring. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during spring. Florianopolis gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.
Florianopolis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than Montego Bayin April. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilFlorianopolis 20°C (68°F)Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Florianopolis
| Florianopolis | Montego Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (76°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 95 mm (3.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (71°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.