Which place is cheaper, Gainesville 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 Gainesville?
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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville?
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.
Gainesville
Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesGainesville Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $259Gainesville $457
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $259, while the average daily cost in Gainesville is $457. 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 Gainesville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102Gainesville $282
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204Gainesville $564
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Gainesville
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Gainesville? 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 Gainesville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Gainesville $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $9.75
- Airport transfer, Private Taxi Montego Bay: $10
- Hyatt Zillara or Ziva Rose Hall private Transfers: $10
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Private Transfers: MBJ Airport ↔ RIU Montego Bay, Palace & Reggae: $13
- El Greco Resort Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Grandiosa Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay: $14
- Dreams Rose Hall Resort and Spa Private Airport Transfer: $14
- Hyatt zilara or ziva EXCLUSIVE private airport transfer services: $14
- RIU Palace reggae and RIU Montego Bay private airport transfers: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Gainesville?
Prices for flights to both Gainesville 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 $142Gainesville $145
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
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
- Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $95
- Sunset Dinner at Bamboo Beach Club: $99
- Glistening Bioluminescent Waters and Dinner at Jerk hut: $105
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $130
- The Local Lime- Montego Bay Dinner and/or Nightlife Tour: $149
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer: $150
Typical Food Prices in Gainesville
Some typical examples of dining costs in Gainesville are as follows:
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Diner Breakfast for Two$17
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Lunch at Chop Stix (for 2)$24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Gainesville $41
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$2.68
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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:
- Carnival Cruise Ship in Montego Bay to Great River & Hip strip: $20
- Shopping Tour for Whitter Village Mall Private / Charted Air Conditioned Taxi: $20
- Lethe Rafting And Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $20
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- Montego Bay Nightlife Tour with Private Transportation: $25
- Montego Bay Shopping Private Tour: $26
- VR Experience in Montego Bay: $30
- Montego Bay Private Shopping Tour with Hotel Pickup: $30
- Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
- Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
- Street Executive Tours And Chauffeur Service Jamaica: $35
- Bamboo Rafting Experience in Jamaica: $35
Typical Entertainment Prices in Gainesville
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Gainesville are as follows:
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Manatee Tour for Two$98
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Tour Guide Tip$5.00
Tours and Activities in Gainesville
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Gainesville are as follows:
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Gainesville by Operation City Quest: $10
- 2 Hour Guided Clear Glass Bottom Kayak Tour Gilchrist Blue Spring: $60
- Ginnie Springs Glass Bottom Kayak Eco Tour: $87
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Gainesville $49
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: $250
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Gainesville, we can see that Gainesville is more expensive. And not only is Montego Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Gainesville 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 Montego Bay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montego Bay 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 Gainesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gainesville than you might in Montego Bay.
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 Gainesville Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Gainesville?
Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Gainesville, 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 Gainesville?
Gainesville 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 Gainesville in the Summer?
Both Gainesville 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 Gainesville because of the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Gainesville. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Gainesville fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Gainesville. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Gainesville. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Gainesville 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Gainesville in the Autumn?
Both Gainesville 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 are the main draw to Gainesville this time of year.
Montego Bay is a little warmer than Gainesville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Gainesville fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Gainesville. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Gainesville 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Gainesville in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Gainesville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, many travelers come to Gainesville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Montego Bay is much warmer than Gainesville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Gainesville averages at about 54°F (12°C).
In January, Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of rain as Gainesville. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Gainesville 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Gainesville in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Gainesville. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Gainesville. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Gainesville fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in April than Gainesville. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Gainesville is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Gainesville 69°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for Gainesville and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Gainesville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (139 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.9 inches (74 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.