A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montego Bay vs. Cumberland Island National Seashore for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Montego Bay or Cumberland Island National Seashore?

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 Cumberland Island National Seashore 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 Cumberland Island National Seashore?

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.

Cumberland Island National Seashore

The Cumberland Island National Seashore, located on the southern coastline of Georgia, preserves an island of beaches and dunes, marshes, and freshwater lakes. It is also home to many historic sites and structures, preserved and interpreted for visitors to explore.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.


Which place is cheaper, Cumberland Island National Seashore 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
    Cumberland Island National Seashore Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Montego Bay $258
    Cumberland Island National Seashore $175

The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $258, while the average daily cost in Cumberland Island National Seashore is $175. 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 Cumberland Island National Seashore in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montego Bay $102
    Cumberland Island National Seashore $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montego Bay $204
    Cumberland Island National Seashore $150
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Cumberland Island National Seashore

Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Cumberland Island National Seashore? 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 Cumberland Island National Seashore


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montego Bay $15
    Cumberland Island National Seashore $59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • Jet Car Adventure in Montego Bay Daytrip with Transfers: $300
  • Chevy Suburban Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $300
  • Mercedes Benz Sprinter Airport Transfer: $300
  • Private Airport OneWay Transfer to Hotel in Montego Bay: $300
  • Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport To Ocho Rios: $267
  • Ocho Rios Hotels / Resort - Airport Transfers: $267
  • Blue Hole & Horseback Riding Tour with Transfers from Montego Bay: $265
  • MBJ Airport to Strawberry Hill Hotel & Spa Transfer: $243
  • Private Roundtrip Transfer to/from Ohio Rios and Sangster Airport: $241
  • Airport-Negril Hotels Transfers and Returns For 1- 4 persons: $230
  • Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Negril (Round Trip): $225
  • Private Transfer To/From Montego Bay & Airport MBJ Across Jamaica: $215

Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Cumberland Island National Seashore?

Prices for flights to both Cumberland Island National Seashore 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
    Cumberland Island National Seashore $65

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
  • Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour: $50
  • Street Food Tour in Montego Bay: $59
  • Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
  • Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $85
  • Sunset Dinner at Bamboo Beach Club: $99
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montego Bay $31
    Cumberland Island National Seashore $23
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
    $2.67
  • Snorkeling Trip
    $19
  • One Tank Dive
    $37
  • 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:

  • “ATV Adventure & Rick’s Café Experience from Montego Bay: $123
  • 1 Hour Efoil Experience in Montego Bay: $150
  • 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
  • 2 Days Private Jamaica Tour: $230
  • 2 Hour Private Montego Bay City Tour with Souvenir’s Shopping: $80
  • 27/27 Lounge, Pier 1 & Margaritaville Nightlife Tour In Jamaica: $72
  • 3-Hour Private Tour in the Highlights of Montego Bay: $58
  • 4-Hour Catamaran Party Cruise with Open Bar from Montego Bay: $200
  • 5 Hour Private Tour at Negril Beach and Rick's Cafe: $150
  • 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
  • 7 Mile Beach Party Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling & Ricks Cafe: $115
  • 7 Mile Beach Private Tour: $122

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montego Bay $13
    Cumberland Island National Seashore $25

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: $231


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

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 Cumberland Island National Seashore Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Montego Bay or Cumberland Island National Seashore?

Cumberland Island National Seashore 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 Cumberland Island National Seashore in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Cumberland Island National Seashore. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Cumberland Island National Seashore in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Cumberland Island National Seashore. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Cumberland Island National Seashore fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cumberland Island National Seashore. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Cumberland Island National Seashore. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cumberland Island National Seashore receives 286 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Cumberland Island National Seashore. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than Cumberland Island National Seashore. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cumberland Island National Seashore receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F) 
    Cumberland Island National Seashore 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Cumberland Island National Seashore in the Autumn?

Both Cumberland Island National Seashore and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Cumberland Island National Seashore for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Montego Bay is a little warmer than Cumberland Island National Seashore in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Cumberland Island National Seashore fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

It's quite sunny in Cumberland Island National Seashore. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Cumberland Island National Seashore during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Cumberland Island National Seashore receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Cumberland Island National Seashore. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Cumberland Island National Seashore receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F) 
    Cumberland Island National Seashore 70°F (21°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Cumberland Island National Seashore in the Winter?

Both Cumberland Island National Seashore and Montego Bay during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Montego Bay is much warmer than Cumberland Island National Seashore. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Cumberland Island National Seashore averages at about 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Cumberland Island National Seashore. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cumberland Island National Seashore receives 191 hours of full sun.

Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than Cumberland Island National Seashore. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cumberland Island National Seashore receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F) 
    Cumberland Island National Seashore 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Cumberland Island National Seashore in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Cumberland Island National Seashore. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cumberland Island National Seashore this time of year.

In April, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Cumberland Island National Seashore. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Cumberland Island National Seashore fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cumberland Island National Seashore this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Cumberland Island National Seashore during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Cumberland Island National Seashore receives 285 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Cumberland Island National Seashore. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cumberland Island National Seashore receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F) 
    Cumberland Island National Seashore 68°F (20°C)

Typical Weather for Cumberland Island National Seashore and Montego Bay

Montego Bay Cumberland Island National Seashore
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 56°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 62°F (17°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 80°F (27°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 82°F (28°C) 7.8 inches (199 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 79°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (180 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 70°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)