Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Mar del Plata?
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 Mar del Plata or Montego Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Mar del Plata and Montego Bay can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Montego Bay?
Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata is found only 404 km southeast of the city of Buenos Aires, on the Atlantic coast. Today Mar Del Plata is Argentina‘s most well known beach resort. It has successfully married the two worlds of beach and city into a fun, cosmopolitan urban center with the presence of highly developed tourist infrastructure. Founded in 1874, Mar del Plata was at first mainly an industrial and commercial center before becoming a vacation destination for Argentinians. For a peaceful trip and intimate oceanfront promenades, avoid visiting Mar del Plata during summer time, as the gorgeous arced coastline will be crawling with visitors. But the city is more than just beaches. It also offers some culture, lively nightlife, and great food.
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 Argentina, and The Best Budget Tours to Argentina.
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Mar del Plata Prices
Argentina PricesMontego Bay Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMar del Plata $55Montego Bay $259
The average daily cost (per person) in Mar del Plata is $55, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is $259. 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 Mar del Plata and Montego Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMar del Plata $42Montego Bay $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMar del Plata $84Montego Bay $204
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and Montego Bay
Looking for a hotel in Mar del Plata 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: Montego Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mar del Plata $3.01Montego Bay $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Mercedes Benz Sprinter Airport Transfer: $300
- Private Airport OneWay Transfer to Hotel in Montego Bay: $300
- Jet Car Adventure in Montego Bay Daytrip with Transfers: $300
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport To Ocho Rios: $267
- Airport - Ocho Rios Hotels Transfers and Returns: $260
- SUV Prado Transfer from Montego Bay Airport: $257
- Private Luxury Transfers in Montego Bay – Reliable Services: $250
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Kingston Hotels: $245
- Private Roundtrip Transfer to/from Ohio Rios and Sangster Airport: $241
- Hyatt Jamaica Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $228
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Negril (Round Trip): $225
- ATV and Zipline Combo Tour with Round-Trip Transfers: $225
Is it cheaper to fly into Mar del Plata or Montego Bay?
Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Mar del Plata 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 dayMar del Plata $6.65Montego Bay $142
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Lunch or Dinner with Pickup from Montego Bay: $45
- Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour: $50
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
- Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $95
- Sunset Dinner at Bamboo Beach Club: $99
- Glistening Bioluminescent Waters and Dinner at Jerk hut: $105
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $130
- The Local Lime- Montego Bay Dinner and/or Nightlife Tour: $149
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mar del Plata $20Montego Bay $31
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$2.68
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$37
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$43
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- 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: $60
- 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
- 4 Hour ATV & Horse Back Riding Private Tour (Transportation Only): $105
- 4-Hour Catamaran Party Cruise with Open Bar from Montego Bay: $200
- 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
- 7 Mile Beach Private Tour: $122
- 7 Mile Beach and Rick's Cafe Private Tour: $80
- 7 Mile Beach and Rick's Cafe in Negril from Montego Bay Private Tour: $120
- 7 in 1 Day Jamaican Adventure with Jhadano Tours: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMar del Plata $7.51Montego 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:
- Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $39
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $250
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mar del Plata and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Mar del Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mar del Plata 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 Mar del Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mar del Plata 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 Mar del Plata.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mar del Plata Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Montego Bay?
Mar del Plata has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Mar del Plata 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 Mar del Plata or Montego Bay?
Mar del Plata 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 Mar del Plata or Montego Bay in the Summer?
Both Montego Bay and Mar del Plata during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
In the summer, Mar del Plata is cooler than Montego Bay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mar del Plata in January average around 20°C (69°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mar del Plata. In the summer, Mar del Plata often gets less sunshine than Montego Bayin July. Mar del Plata gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun.
Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in January than Montego Bayin July. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 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 JulyMar del Plata 20°C (69°F)Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Montego Bay in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and Montego Bay. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Mar del Plata is generally much colder than Montego Bayin October. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 15°C (59°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Montego Bayin October. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 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 OctoberMar del Plata 15°C (59°F)Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Montego Bay in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as Montego Bay. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.
Mar del Plata is much colder than Montego Bay in the winter. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 9°C (47°F) in July, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 24°C (75°F)in January.
Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in July than Montego Bayin January. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 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 JanuaryMar del Plata 9°C (47°F)Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Montego Bay in the Spring?
Both Montego Bay and Mar del Plata are popular destinations to visit in the spring 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 spring, Mar del Plata is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mar del Plata in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 25°C (77°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. Mar del Plata usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during spring. Mar del Plata gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than Montego Bayin April. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 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 AprilMar del Plata 13°C (56°F)Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Mar del Plata
| Mar del Plata | Montego Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (69°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (47°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (49°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 88 mm (3.5 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.