Which place is cheaper, Fort Lauderdale 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.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Fort Lauderdale?
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 Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale?
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.
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is located on the Atlantic coast of Florida, not far from Miami, and is famous for its beaches and boating culture. An elaborate system of canals runs through the city, adding to the charm and coastal lifestyle. Plenty of restaurants, shops, watersports, and other things to do can be found here in addition to the beautiful beaches. The city is family-friendly and also caters to older travelers as well as younger generations. While it's not an inexpensive place to visit, the prices are on par with other cities in southeastern Florida. The beach is lined with high-rise condos and hotels that tend to be expensive, while a few blocks back from the shore you'll find plenty of nice houses along with shops, restaurants, and fun activities for all ages. And since Fort Lauderdale is part of the Miami metro area, you can easily get to all of the other beach areas, cities, and activities in the nearby metropolitan areas as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesFort Lauderdale Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $257Fort Lauderdale $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $257, while the average daily cost in Fort Lauderdale is $218. 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 Fort Lauderdale in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $101Fort Lauderdale $96
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $202Fort Lauderdale $192
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Fort Lauderdale
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Fort Lauderdale? 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 Fort Lauderdale Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Fort Lauderdale $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- 2727lounge/Magarativille/Pier1 & taboo nightlife private transfer: $45
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to RIU PALACE AQUARELLE: $50
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to any Resort in Montego Bay: $14
- Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden Private Transfer: $97
- Airport - Ocho Rios Hotels Transfers and Returns: $260
- Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfers, to Montego Bay Airbnb & Resorts: $53
- Airport Round Trip Transfer To Hotels in Montego Bay: $19
- Airport Round transfer Excellence,Coral Springs,Paladium, Royaltan Blue Waters: $110
- Airport Transfer: $80
- Airport Transfer MBJ Montego Bay to Kingston: $150
- Airport Transfer Montego Bay Hotels: $120
- Airport Transfer To Dreams Rose Hall: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort Lauderdale
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Fort Lauderdale:
- One Way Transfer From/To Fort Lauderdale & Cruise Port Everglades: $28
- Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Int'l Airport to Hotel/Port: $29
- Fort Lauderdale Airport Private Hotel Transfer up to 5 passengers: $44
- Miami: FLL Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center|Port: $44
- Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Miami - Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Fort Lauderdale - Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- Port Everglades Private Transfer from Las Olas Beach Area: $60
- Private Airport Transfer to/from Fort Lauderdale Airport FLL: $61
- Private Transfer in Fort Lauderdale FLL and FXE: $69
- Delray Beach to Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Doral hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- One Way Private Transfer to/from Airport: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Fort Lauderdale?
Prices for flights to both Fort Lauderdale 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 $141Fort Lauderdale $85
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
- 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
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $130
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- 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
Typical Food Prices in Fort Lauderdale
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Fort Lauderdale:
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Quick Lunch$12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort Lauderdale
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Fort Lauderdale.
- Island Cooking With Afrochef Lela: $55
- Immersive Sushi Cooking Class in Fort Lauderdale: $75
- Intracoastal Waterway Dinner Cruise: $80
- All You Can Eat BBQ Dinner and Show at Tropical Isle with Sightseeing Cruise: $80
- Las Olas Boulevard Food Tour with 5 Dishes: $85
- Atlantic Village Walking Food Tour: $89
- Hollywood Florida Walking Food Tour: $109
- Fort Lauderdale Off the Beaten Path Food Tour Experience: $120
- Fort Lauderdale Beach Food Tour: $129
- Fort Lauderdale Beach Food Tour: $129
- Hollywood Beach Walking Food Tour: $139
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Fort Lauderdale $15
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$2.66
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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:
- Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage: $20
- Blue Hole Adventure and Shopping Experience with Transportation: $20
- Montego Bay City highlight And Souvenir Shopping Group Tour: $20
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Hip Strip Private Tour: $22
- Bamboo Rafting & Jamaican Village Experience: $25
- Montego Bay Shopping Private Tour: $26
- Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
- Montego Bay Private Shopping Tour with Hotel Pickup: $30
- Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
- Rose Hall Great House and Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Doctors Cave Beach Roundtrip Tour in Montego Bay: $30
Tours and Activities in Fort Lauderdale
Here are a few actual costs in Fort Lauderdale for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Pembroke Pines by Wacky Walks: $10
- Skip the Line: Flamingo Gardens Admission Ticket in Fort Lauderdale: $24
- Fort Lauderdale Fallen Frights and Fury Ghost Tour: $24
- Flamingo Gardens Entry Ticket: $24
- Thrive District walking Street Art Tour: $25
- Hat Bar Patch Party Experience: $25
- Sea Rocket Ocean Speed Boat Cruise in Fort Lauderdale, FL: $27
- Venice of America Sightseeing Cruise: $28
- South Florida Sightseeing Cruise: $28
- Early Bird Sea Rocket Sightseeing Cruise in Fort Lauderdale: $28
- Fort Lauderdale Venice of America Intracoastal Cruise: $28
- Venice of America Sightseeing Cruise: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Fort Lauderdale $33
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: $255
Typical Alcohol Prices in Fort Lauderdale
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Fort Lauderdale are as follows:
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Beer$7.30
Sample the Local Flavors in Fort Lauderdale
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort Lauderdale:
- Amazing Bar Crawl in Fort Lauderdale: $15
- Ft. Lauderdale: Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Fort Lauderdale, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Fort Lauderdale much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale.
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 Fort Lauderdale Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Fort Lauderdale, 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 Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Fort Lauderdale. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, many travelers come to Fort Lauderdale for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Fort Lauderdale. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Fort Lauderdale fluctuates around 83°F (28°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fort Lauderdale this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Fort Lauderdale during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Fort Lauderdale receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.
Fort Lauderdale receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Fort Lauderdale. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Fort Lauderdale receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Fort Lauderdale 83°F (28°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Fort Lauderdale in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Fort Lauderdale. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Fort Lauderdale in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Fort Lauderdale in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Fort Lauderdale fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Fort Lauderdale. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fort Lauderdale receives 275 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Fort Lauderdale. Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in October than Fort Lauderdale. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Fort Lauderdale receives 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Fort Lauderdale 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Fort Lauderdale in the Winter?
Both Fort Lauderdale and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Fort Lauderdale for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Montego Bay is a little warmer than Fort Lauderdale. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Fort Lauderdale averages at about 67°F (20°C).
It's quite sunny in Fort Lauderdale. 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 Fort Lauderdale during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Fort Lauderdale receives 243 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Fort Lauderdale. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Fort Lauderdale receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Fort Lauderdale 67°F (20°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Fort Lauderdale in the Spring?
Both Fort Lauderdale and Montego Bay during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Fort Lauderdale because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Fort Lauderdale. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Fort Lauderdale fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).
In Fort Lauderdale, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Fort Lauderdale. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fort Lauderdale receives 300 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in April than Fort Lauderdale. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Fort Lauderdale receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Fort Lauderdale 75°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Fort Lauderdale and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Fort Lauderdale | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (162 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 9.4 inches (238 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 83°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 83°F (28°C) | 7.5 inches (191 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.6 inches (194 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 1.9 inches (48 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.