Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Montego Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu 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: Kota Kinabalu or Montego Bay?
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu, originally Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah, which is on the northern part of the island of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu is located just between the western side of the island and Tambunan Rafflesia Forest Reserve. Most of Kota Kinabalu's historic buildings were destroyed by bombing during World War II, so the city had to be rebuilt. KK, as it's commonly called, is a compact, but booming town today, with its new shopping centers, seaside condominiums, and bustling marketplaces.
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 Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesMontego Bay Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Montego Bay $255
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is $255. 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 Kota Kinabalu and Montego Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Montego Bay $100
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Montego Bay $200
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Montego Bay
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu 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: Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Montego Bay $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $13
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Malaysia: Sabah Airport Transfer: $14
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $9.26
- Hyatt Zillara or Ziva Rose Hall private Transfers: $10
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril *Air Conditioning : $10
- Montego Bay Hotels Airport Private Transfers : $10
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport : $10
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Sangster International Airport Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $12
- Grandiosa Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
- El Greco Resort Private Airport Transfer : $13
- Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
- Private Transfer to Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach/Montego Beach : $13
- RIU Palace reggae and RIU Montego Bay private airport transfers : $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Montego Bay?
Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Kota Kinabalu 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 dayKota Kinabalu $30Montego Bay $139
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Beringgis Mangove Fireflies, Sunset Tour & Dinner: $33
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $45
- Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies: $55
- Kawa Mangrove Cruise & Fireflies with Dinner: $67
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $138
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $187
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 : $40
- Lunch or Dinner Dining Experience in Montego Bay : $40
- Street Food Tour in Montego Bay: $59
- 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
- Cooking Class in Montego Bay with Home Chef: $150
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer : $150
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations : $175
- PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Montego Bay $31
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Bongawan Proboscis and Fireflies Cruise Tour: $32
- Sail and Catch Boat fishing Tour of the Coast of Kota Kinabalu: $41
- Night Glow Stand Up Paddle Experience in Kota Kinabalu: $44
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Mangrove Kayaking Experience in Borneo: $47
- Bongawan: River Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies : $49
- Sabah: Manukan and Sapi Islands Excursion Ticket: $50
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Private Guided E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $54
- Kota Kinabalu City Tour: $54
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $55
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$2.63
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Snorkeling Trip$18
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One Tank Dive$37
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$42
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- The Ultimate Montego Bay Night Life Experience: $25
- Montego Bay Cruise Ship Port Transportation Service : $26
- Montego Bay Shopping Private Tour: $26
- Skip the Line: Rose Hall Great House and Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Lethe Rafting And Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay : $30
- Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
- Doctors Cave Beach Roundtrip Tour in Montego Bay: $30
- Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
- Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
- Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
- Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour with Admission: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Montego Bay $13
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:
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $231
- Montego Bay Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kota Kinabalu is in Asia 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 Kota Kinabalu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Montego Bay?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu or Montego Bay?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Montego Bay in the Summer?
Both Montego Bay and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Montego Bay in the Autumn?
Both Montego Bay and Kota Kinabalu during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
Montego Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in October than Montego Bay. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Montego Bay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Montego Bay in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Montego Bay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Montego Bay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Montego Bay in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Montego Bay. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in April than Montego Bay. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In the spring, Kota Kinabalu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally a little warmer than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Montego Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 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.