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

Should you visit Montego Bay or Hood River?

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 Hood River 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 Hood River?

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.

Hood River

The city of Hood River is the seat of Hood River County, Oregon, United States. It is a port on the Columbia River, and is named for the nearby Hood River. The dynamic town of Hood River is one of the best windsurfing and kiteboarding destinations in the world. Strong river currents, prevailing westerly winds and a vast body of water provide the perfect conditions for these wind sports, attracting sometimes hundreds of photogenic enthusiasts who zip back and forth across the wide Columbia River.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Hood River or Montego Bay?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Hood River is $145. 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 Hood River in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montego Bay $104
    Hood River $78
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montego Bay $208
    Hood River $156
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Hood River

Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Hood River? 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 Hood River


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 Hood River Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montego Bay $15
    Hood River $46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • Zoëtry Resorts Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $20
  • Tryall / Round Hill - Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $107
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Montego Bay APT-HTL (MBJ): $37
  • Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
  • Transfer from/to Airport, Riu Reggae, Riu Montego Bay, Riu Palace: $17
  • Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Iberostar zone: $55
  • Tobys Resort Private Airport Transfer: $20
  • The Spa Retreat Boutique Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $50
  • Sunset at the Palms Negril Airport Transfers: $53
  • Sunset at the Palm Private Negril Airport Transfer : $52
  • Sunscape Splash Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer: $20
  • Sunscape Resorts Montego Bay Private Airport Transfers: $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Hood River?

Prices for flights to both Hood River 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 $84
    Hood River $40

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 : $81
  • Rick’s Cafe Cliff Diving, Sunset & Dinner Tour with Transportation : $130
  • Dinner or lunch at pier one Montego bay Food Tour: $144
  • Sunset Boat Cruise in Falmouth Luminous Lagoon, Swim and Dinner : $170
  • Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
  • Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
  • Houseboat Restaurant and Grill for Dinner Private Transportation : $180
  • [PRIVATE] Premium Jamaican Food Tour of Local Cuisine: $190
  • Martha Brae Bamboo Rafting & Luminous Lagoon Sunset, Swim& Dinner: $280

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montego Bay $32
    Hood River $18
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
    $2.74
  • Snorkeling Trip
    $19
  • One Tank Dive
    $38
  • 1.5 Hr Horseback Ride
    $44

Tours and Activities in Montego Bay

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:

  • ATV, Bamboo Rafting, and Horseback Ride Tour From Montego Bay: $173
  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Pelican Bar Customize Tour: $120
  • Bioluminescence Lagoon tour from Montego Bay with Pick Up: $105
  • Blue Hole Adventure Tour : $120
  • Catamaran Party Cruise and Snorkeling from Montego Bay: $220
  • Dunns River & BlueHole Tour Includes Entry Fees: $289
  • Falmouth Mystic from Montego Bay Luminous Lagoon Night Tour: $90
  • Green Grotto Cave Private Tour: $115
  • Horseback Riding and Tour from Montego Bay : $230
  • Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118
  • Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage River Tour: $110
  • Montego Bay Jamaica Private Jet Ski And ATV experience: $120

Tours and Activities in Hood River

For Hood River, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Orchard Tour: $31
  • Gift Basket Factory Tour: $31
  • Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $199
  • Railbikes Experience: $211

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montego Bay $13
    Hood River $19

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: $103


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

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 Hood River Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Hood River?

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

Hood River 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 Hood River in the Summer?

Both Hood River and Montego Bay during the summer 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, many visitors come to Hood River in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Montego Bay is a little warmer than Hood River in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Hood River fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Hood River, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Hood River. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hood River receives 338 hours of full sun.

Montego Bay usually gets more rain in July than Hood River. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Hood River receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F) 
    Hood River 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Hood River in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Hood River. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Hood River for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Montego Bay is much warmer than Hood River. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Hood River averages at about 55°F (13°C).

In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Hood River during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Hood River receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Montego Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Hood River. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F) 
    Hood River 55°F (13°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Hood River in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Hood River. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Hood River because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Hood River can be very cold. In January, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Hood River. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Hood River fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Hood River. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hood River receives 86 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Hood River. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than Hood River. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Hood River receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F) 
    Hood River 40°F (4°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Hood River in the Spring?

Both Hood River and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Hood River this time of year.

Montego Bay is much warmer than Hood River in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Hood River fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Hood River. 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 Hood River during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Hood River receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hood River. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F) 
    Hood River 51°F (11°C)

Typical Weather for Hood River and Montego Bay

Montego Bay Hood River
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 40°F (4°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 44°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 47°F (9°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 51°F (11°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
May 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 57°F (14°C) 2 inches (51 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 64°F (18°C) 1.5 inches (39 mm)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 68°F (20°C) 0.7 inches (18 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 69°F (20°C) 1 inches (25 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 63°F (17°C) 1.7 inches (44 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 55°F (13°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 46°F (8°C) 5.4 inches (136 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 40°F (5°C) 6.1 inches (156 mm)