Which place is cheaper, Beaufort or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Beaufort?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montego Bay and Beaufort can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Montego Bay or Beaufort?
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.
Beaufort
The second oldest city in South Carolina (next to Charleston), Beaufort was charted in 1711 and grew from a shipbuilding community to a slave society of elite planters and finally to the small southern town as it sits today. Beaufort's historic character and architecture has made it a popular tourist destination with much to offer in sightseeing, seaside activities, and maritime history.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Beaufort $131
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Beaufort is $131. 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 Montego Bay and Beaufort in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Beaufort $100
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Beaufort $200
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Beaufort
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Beaufort? 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 and Beaufort Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Beaufort -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $8.33
- Montego Bay Hotels Private Transfer : $10
- RIU Reggae Palace and RIU Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Montego Bay: $13
- Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
- Riu Reggae , Riu Palace & Riu Mobay Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $13
- Private Airport Transfer to Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach : $13
- MBJ Airport: Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $14
- Airport Transfer to RIU Montego Bay/Palace/Reggae: $14
- Montego Bay Airport Private Transfer to Riu Montego Bay, Reggae, Palace: $14
- Private Airport Transfer to Half Moon - Holiday Inn - Zoetry: $14
- MBJ Airport Private Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Beaufort?
Prices for flights to both Beaufort and Montego Bay 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 dayMontego Bay $84Beaufort $31
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 : $81
- Rick’s Cafe Cliff Diving, Sunset & Dinner Tour with Transportation : $130
- Dinner or lunch at pier one Montego bay Food Tour: $144
- Sunset Boat Cruise in Falmouth Luminous Lagoon, Swim and Dinner : $170
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Houseboat Restaurant and Grill for Dinner Private Transportation : $180
- [PRIVATE] Premium Jamaican Food Tour of Local Cuisine: $190
- Martha Brae Bamboo Rafting & Luminous Lagoon Sunset, Swim& Dinner: $280
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Beaufort -
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:
- Skip the Line: Rose Hall Great House & Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour: $35
- Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
- Night Life Tour in Montego Bay : $40
- Private Montego Bay Shopping Tour with Transportation: $45
- Half-Day Private Guided Ricks Café & Negril Seven Mile Beach Tour: $45
- 3-Hour Private Tour in the Highlights of Montego Bay: $45
- Bamboo Rafting and Margaritaville Hip Strip Private Tour: $45
- City Highlights and Souvenir Shopping Tour: $45
- Rose Hall Great House 2-Hour Night Tour: $45
- Tranfers and Tours: $48
- Montego Bay River Rafting And Limestone Foot Massage Private Tour: $50
Tours and Activities in Beaufort
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Beaufort are as follows:
- Historic City Tour by Bus: $29
- Pat Conroy's Beaufort Tour by Golf Cart: $40
- Gullah Heritage Tour: $49
- Beaufort Tipsy Tour: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Beaufort -
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: $103
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Beaufort, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Beaufort much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Beaufort is in North America, 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 Beaufort would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beaufort 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 Beaufort.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montego Bay Expensive? and Is Beaufort Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Beaufort?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Beaufort. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Beaufort, 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 Montego Bay or Beaufort?
Beaufort 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 Montego Bay or Beaufort in the Summer?
Both Beaufort and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Beaufort because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Beaufort. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Beaufort fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
It's quite sunny in Beaufort. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Beaufort during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Beaufort receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Beaufort. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Beaufort. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Beaufort receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Beaufort 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Beaufort in the Autumn?
Both Beaufort and Montego Bay during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Beaufort this time of year.
Montego Bay is a little warmer than Beaufort in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Beaufort fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
In Beaufort, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beaufort. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaufort receives 223 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Beaufort. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Beaufort receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Beaufort 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Beaufort in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Beaufort. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, many travelers come to Beaufort for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Montego Bay is much warmer than Beaufort. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Beaufort averages at about 48°F (9°C).
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Beaufort during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Beaufort receives 176 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of rain as Beaufort. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Beaufort receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Beaufort 48°F (9°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Beaufort in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Beaufort. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Beaufort in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In April, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Beaufort. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Beaufort fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beaufort. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Beaufort. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaufort receives 275 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in April than Beaufort. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Beaufort receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Beaufort 67°F (19°C)
Typical Weather for Beaufort and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Beaufort | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 5.9 inches (150 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.9 inches (200 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (164 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 5.6 inches (141 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
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.