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

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 Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Beaufort or Montego Bay?

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

  • Montego Bay Prices
    Jamaica Prices
    Beaufort Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Montego Bay $259
    Beaufort $154

The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $259, while the average daily cost in Beaufort is $154. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montego Bay $102
    Beaufort $100
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montego Bay $204
    Beaufort $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.

Hotels in Montego Bay


Hotels in Beaufort


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montego Bay $15
    Beaufort -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
  • Montego Bay Airport Private Transfers to any Montego Bay Hotels: $13
  • Private Transfer to Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach/Montego Beach: $13
  • Sandals Royal Caribbean Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
  • Grandiosa Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
  • A "Private" Airport Transfer to any Resort in Montego Bay: $14
  • Private Airport Transfer To Riu Montego Bay, Palace & Reggae: $14
  • RIU Palace reggae and RIU Montego Bay private airport transfers: $14
  • Riu reggae, palace & montego Bay Hotels Private Airport Transfer: $14
  • Private Airport Transfer to Half Moon - Holiday Inn - Zoetry: $14
  • Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Montego Bay Hotels: $14
  • Private Airport Transfer to S Hotel, SeaGarden, Royal Decameron: $14

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Montego Bay $142
    Beaufort $54

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 Dining Experience in Montego Bay: $40
  • Dinner or Lunch with Pickup from Montego Bay: $50
  • Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
  • Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $85
  • Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $117
  • Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $135
  • Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
  • Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer: $150
  • Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
  • Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
  • Authentic Jamaican Cooking Experience in the Mountain from mobay: $210
  • PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $210

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montego Bay $32
    Beaufort -
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
    $2.68
  • Snorkeling Trip
    $19
  • One Tank Dive
    $38
  • 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:

  • Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage: $20
  • Blue Hole Adventure and Shopping Experience with Transportation: $20
  • Margaritaville Hip-Strip and Great River Rafting Private Tour: $20
  • Lethe Rafting And Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $20
  • Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
  • Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Hip Strip Private Tour: $22
  • Cinnamon Hill Great House Tour: Home of Johnny Cash: $23
  • Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
  • Montego Bay Private Shopping Tour with Hotel Pickup: $30
  • Rose Hall Great House and Garden Tour Ticket: $30
  • Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
  • VR Experience in Montego Bay: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montego Bay $13
    Beaufort -


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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Montego 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Montego 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Montego 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Montego 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)