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

Should you visit Montego Bay or Cherokee?

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 Cherokee 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 Cherokee?

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.

Cherokee

The town of Cherokee is the center of Cherokee Native American culture in North Carolina and the eastern United States. Many natives refer to this area as home and the Cherokee language is also spoken by many people in the area. The town was established by the Cherokee people who were able to stay behind when the US Government forced the majority of the Cherokee people west (ultimately to Oklahoma) in what is known as the Trail of Tears. Those who were able to stay behind were able to hide in the mountains that now comprise the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. The Cherokee people at one point lived in houses made of woven grass and mud, and later, log cabins.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Cherokee 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
    Cherokee Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Montego Bay $259
    Cherokee $186

The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $259, while the average daily cost in Cherokee is $186. 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 Cherokee in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montego Bay $102
    Cherokee $158
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montego Bay $204
    Cherokee $316
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Cherokee

Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Cherokee? 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 Cherokee


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 Cherokee Hotel Prices.

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

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 Cherokee?

Prices for flights to both Cherokee 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
    Cherokee $27

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
  • 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
  • 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 Food Cooking Experience in the Countryside: $195

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montego Bay $32
    Cherokee -
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:

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

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

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Cherokee, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Cherokee much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Cherokee 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 Cherokee would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cherokee 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 Cherokee.

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 Cherokee Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Cherokee?

Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cherokee. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Cherokee, 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 Cherokee?

Cherokee 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 Cherokee in the Summer?

Both Cherokee 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 Cherokee because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Cherokee. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Cherokee fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Cherokee. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Cherokee during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Cherokee receives 294 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cherokee. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Cherokee. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cherokee receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F) 
    Cherokee 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Cherokee in the Autumn?

Both Cherokee 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 hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Cherokee this time of year.

Montego Bay is much warmer than Cherokee in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Cherokee fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In Cherokee, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Cherokee. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cherokee receives 213 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 Cherokee. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Cherokee receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F) 
    Cherokee 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Cherokee in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Cherokee. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, many travelers come to Cherokee for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Cherokee. In the winter, Montego Bay is much warmer than Cherokee. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Cherokee averages at about 40°F (5°C).

In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Cherokee during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Cherokee receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.

Cherokee receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Cherokee. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cherokee receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F) 
    Cherokee 40°F (5°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Cherokee in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Cherokee. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Cherokee. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Cherokee fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cherokee. 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 Cherokee. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cherokee receives 263 hours of full sun.

Montego Bay usually gets less rain in April than Cherokee. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cherokee receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F) 
    Cherokee 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Cherokee and Montego Bay

Montego Bay Cherokee
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 40°F (5°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 44°F (7°C) 4.7 inches (120 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 54°F (12°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 62°F (17°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
May 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 70°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 78°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 81°F (27°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 80°F (27°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 74°F (24°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 63°F (17°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 53°F (12°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm)