Which place is cheaper, Hot Springs or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Hot Springs?
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 Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs?
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.
Hot Springs
Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Hot Springs $182
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Hot Springs is $182. 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 Hot Springs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Hot Springs $100
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Hot Springs $200
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Hot Springs
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Hot Springs? 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 Hot Springs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Hot Springs $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $8.33
- Montego Bay Hotels Private Transfer : $10
- RIU Reggae Palace and RIU Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Montego Bay: $13
- Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
- Riu Reggae , Riu Palace & Riu Mobay Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $13
- Private Airport Transfer to Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach : $13
- MBJ Airport: Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $14
- Airport Transfer to RIU Montego Bay/Palace/Reggae: $14
- Montego Bay Airport Private Transfer to Riu Montego Bay, Reggae, Palace: $14
- Private Airport Transfer to Half Moon - Holiday Inn - Zoetry: $14
- MBJ Airport Private Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels: $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:
- Private Departure Transfer from Hot Springs Resort to Little Rock: $71
- Hot Springs Resorts to Memphis Airport (MEM) Departure Transfer: $143
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Hot Springs?
Prices for flights to both Hot Springs 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 $84Hot Springs $52
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Hot Springs $30
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$2.74
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$38
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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:
- Skip the Line: Rose Hall Great House & Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour: $35
- Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
- Night Life Tour in Montego Bay : $40
- Private Montego Bay Shopping Tour with Transportation: $45
- Half-Day Private Guided Ricks Café & Negril Seven Mile Beach Tour: $45
- 3-Hour Private Tour in the Highlights of Montego Bay: $45
- Bamboo Rafting and Margaritaville Hip Strip Private Tour: $45
- City Highlights and Souvenir Shopping Tour: $45
- Rose Hall Great House 2-Hour Night Tour: $45
- Tranfers and Tours: $48
- Montego Bay River Rafting And Limestone Foot Massage Private Tour: $50
Tours and Activities in Hot Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hot Springs are as follows:
- Hot Springs, AR: Magic Springs Theme & Water Park Ticket: $44
- Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs: $67
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Hot Springs $22
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 comparing the travel costs between Montego Bay and Hot Springs, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Hot Springs is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Hot Springs Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Hot Springs?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Hot Springs, 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 Hot Springs?
Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs in the Summer?
Both Hot Springs 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.
In July, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Hot Springs. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Hot Springs fluctuates around 83°F (28°C).
It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Hot Springs during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Hot Springs receives 364 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Hot Springs. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Hot Springs receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Hot Springs 83°F (28°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Hot Springs in the Autumn?
Both Hot Springs 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.
Montego Bay is much warmer than Hot Springs in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Hot Springs fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Hot Springs. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hot Springs receives 254 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 Hot Springs. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Hot Springs receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Hot Springs 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Hot Springs in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Hot Springs. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
The weather in Hot Springs can be very cold. In the winter, Montego Bay is much warmer than Hot Springs. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Hot Springs averages at about 40°F (4°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hot Springs this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Hot Springs during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Hot Springs receives 205 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Hot Springs. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Hot Springs receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Hot Springs 40°F (4°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Hot Springs in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Hot Springs. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Hot Springs. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Hot Springs fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. 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 Hot Springs. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hot Springs receives 304 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Hot Springs. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in April than Hot Springs. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Hot Springs receives 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Hot Springs 65°F (18°C)
Typical Weather for Hot Springs and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Hot Springs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 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.