Which place is cheaper, Kauai 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 Kauai?
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 Kauai 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 Kauai?
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.
Kauai
Hawaii is certainly a bucket list destination, but what if you want to do it without being surrounded by tourists? You want the adventure of the land of volcanoes and less of the kids in water wings. Then Kaua'i is the island for you.
Kaua'i, or the "garden island," is full of tropical forests, little villages and even more laid back lifestyle – if you can imagine. It's a smaller island at 560 square miles with a population of only 68,000.
With more coastline miles than any other island, Kaua'i is the result of massive erosion forming awe-inspiring sights like the Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast. The island experiences more rainfall every year – keeping it lush and green all year.
You'll feel like you've walked into another world in Kaua'i. Because of height restrictions, this island's buildings are no taller than the coconut trees. So if you're looking for an escape from civilization, you'll want to head straight for Kaua'i.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesKauai Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $258Kauai $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $258, while the average daily cost in Kauai is $231. 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 Kauai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102Kauai $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204Kauai $226
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Kauai
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Kauai? 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 Kauai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Kauai $34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Chevy Suburban Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $300
- Private Airport OneWay Transfer to Hotel in Montego Bay: $300
- Jet Car Adventure in Montego Bay Daytrip with Transfers: $300
- Club Night Life Round-Trip Private Transfer in Montego Bay: $300
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Negril Hotels: $270
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport To Ocho Rios: $267
- Blue Hole & Horseback Riding Tour with Transfers from Montego Bay: $265
- Explore Montego Bay Jamaica Luxury Round TTransfer in Montego Bay: $253
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Kingston Hotels: $245
- MBJ Airport to Strawberry Hill Hotel & Spa Transfer: $243
- VIP Luxury Airport Transfer Mobay, Ocho Rios, Negril, Lucea,: $200
- Luxury Suburban Private Airport Transfer with Chauffeur: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Kauai?
Prices for flights to both Kauai 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 $142Kauai $96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- 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
- 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
- Authentic Jamaican Food Cooking Experience in the Countryside: $195
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations: $231
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kauai
For Kauai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Allerton Garden and Estate Tour with Sunset Dinner: $106
- Local Tastes Small Group Food Tour: $121
- Food Tour of Kaua'i: $125
- Walking Food Tour Exploring Hanalei: $149
- Local Dishes Cooking Class: $174
- Luau Ka Hikina Admission with Dinner and Lei Greeting: $175
- Luau Kalamaku with Buffet Dinner and Show: $187
- Luau Kalamaku – Elevated Seating, Dinner & Show: $198
- VIP Manor House Dinner & Luau Kalamaku Show: $237
- Napali Sunset Dinner Cruise: $247
- Napali Coast Sunset Sailboat Tour with Dinner: $247
- Leila Na Pali Sunset Dinner Sail: $264
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Kauai $17
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$2.67
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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:
- “ATV Adventure & Rick’s Café Experience from Montego Bay: $123
- 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
- 2 Days Of Blue Hole, Dunns River Falls & Hidden Beauty Adventure: $180
- 2 Days Private Jamaica Tour: $230
- 27/27 Lounge, Pier 1 & Margaritaville Nightlife Tour In Jamaica: $72
- 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
- 3-Hour Private Tour in the Highlights of Montego Bay: $58
- 4 Hour ATV & Horse Back Riding Private Tour (Transportation Only): $105
- 4 Hours Private Night Life Experience in Montego Bay: $66
- 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 Private Tour: $122
Tours and Activities in Kauai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kauai.
- Ultimate Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of Kauai (Na Pali, Waimea), Hawaii: $15
- North Shore Kauai Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Kauai Poipu and Koloa Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Kauai Wailua Valley & Waterfalls Audio Driving Tour: $20
- Kauai Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $20
- Waimea Canyon & Na Pali Driving Tour app: $23
- Kauai Adventure Bundle 4 Epic Audio Driving Tours: $35
- Allerton Garden Guided Group Walking Tour: $64
- Kauai Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Journey to Waimea Canyon: $97
- Kauai Cruise Ship Excursion: Wailua River & Fern Grotto: $109
- Kalapaki Kai Sunset Catamaran Cruise: $109
- Catamaran Sunset Cruise: $114
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Kauai $14
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
- Montego Bay Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $255
When comparing the travel costs between Montego Bay and Kauai, 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 Kauai 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 Kauai Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Montego Bay or Kauai?
Kauai 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 Kauai in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Kauai. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Kauai for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Kauai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Kauai averages at about 78°F (25°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kauai. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kauai. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kauai receives 255 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in July than Kauai. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 0.6 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Kauai 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Kauai in the Autumn?
Both Kauai 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, many visitors come to Kauai in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Kauai. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Kauai fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in Kauai. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Kauai during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Kauai receives 208 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Kauai. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Kauai 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Kauai in the Winter?
Both Kauai 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kauai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Kauai in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Kauai fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Kauai. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kauai receives 174 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than Kauai. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Kauai 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Kauai in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Kauai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Kauai because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Kauai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Kauai averages at about 73°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kauai this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Kauai during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Kauai receives 206 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Kauai. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Kauai 73°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Kauai and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Kauai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 0.6 inches (17 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 0.6 inches (16 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 1 inches (26 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.5 inches (62 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.