Which place is cheaper, La Fortuna or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or La Fortuna?
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 La Fortuna 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 La Fortuna?
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.
La Fortuna
La Fortuna is in San Carlos, in the province of Alajuela. It is the closest town to Arenal Volcano, and the area is often simply refered to as Arenal. The volcano itself is active and has been constantly erupting since 1968. It erupts on average 41 times a day. This area of northern Costa Rica is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203La Fortuna $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in La Fortuna is $104. 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 La Fortuna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104La Fortuna $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208La Fortuna $102
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and La Fortuna
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or La Fortuna? 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 La Fortuna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15La Fortuna $21
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 Airport Transfer : $10
- Montego Bay Hotels Private Transfer : $10
- Riu Reggae , Riu Palace & Riu Mobay Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $11
- Private Transfer Sangster International Airport to Montego Bay: $12
- Private Airport Transfer to Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach : $13
- Private Airport Transfer to Sandals Montego : $13
- Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Montego Bay: $13
- MBJ Airport: Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $14
- Montego Bay Airport Private Transfer to Riu Montego Bay, Reggae, Palace: $14
- Private Airport Transfer to Breathless/ to Secrets Resort: $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Fortuna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:
- La Fortuna or Monteverde: One-Way Boat Transfer: $39
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Arenal La Fortuna: $42
- Transfer From Liberia Airport To Arenal La Fortuna San Carlos: $42
- White Water Tubing Tour with Guide and Transfers: $55
- Scenic Transfer to Monteverde via Arenal Lake: $56
- One-Way Transfer from La Fortuna to Monteverde through Arenal Lake: $57
- Arenal lake boat transfer from to Monteverde from La Fortuna: $60
- Arenal La Fortuna to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer : $63
- Sloth Watching Tour with Transfer and Snacks: $68
- La Fortuna de Arenal: Transfer to Liberia or LIR Airport: $70
- Private Transfer from La Fortuna to Juan Santa Maria Airport: $85
- From Lake Arenal Kayaking Trip with Transfer: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or La Fortuna?
Prices for flights to both La Fortuna 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 $84La Fortuna $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Dinner or Lunch with Pickup from Montego Bay: $40
- Private Transportation to DINNER or NIGHT CLUBS: $55
- Lunch or Dinner with Pickup from Montego Bay : $81
- Night cruise and swim the Falmouth Mystic Lagoon, Dinner and Rum Punch Inclusive: $85
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $130
- Rick’s Cafe Cliff Diving, Sunset & Dinner Tour with Transportation : $130
- Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Montego Bay: $147
- Sunset Boat Ride in the Falmouth Luminous Lagoon swim and Dinner : $165
- Houseboat Restaurant and Grill for Dinner Private Transportation : $180
- Private Sea-Food Tour & Floyds Pelican Bar from Montego Bay or ..: $185
- [PRIVATE] Premium Jamaican Food Tour of Local Cuisine: $190
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Fortuna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Fortuna.
- Skip the Line: Mineral Hot Springs Full Day Ticket w/ Optional Lunch or Dinner: $42
- Organic Farm Visit & Farm-to-Table Cooking Class: $45
- Farm-To-Table Cooking Class : $45
- Cooking Class and Sugar Cane Experience: $45
- Typical Costa Rican Cooking Classes in La Fortuna: $48
- Costa Rica Cooking, El Fogon de Chela: $50
- Costa Rican cuisine Cooking Class at Rancho Don Lelo: $60
- Cooking Class "Cook Like a Local" La Fortuna: $63
- Rainforest Night Walk and Authentic Costa Rican Dinner from La Fortuna: $65
- 3-Hour Costa Rican Cooking Class with Dinner: $68
- Private typical cooking class with a Costa Rican family: $70
- Cooking and Salsa Dance Lesson Combo : $74
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32La Fortuna $44
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:
- Greenwood Great House Entry Ticket: $20
- Cinnamon Hill Great House Tour - Home of Johnny Cash: $23
- Skip the Line: Rose Hall Great House & Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Montego Bay Private Shopping Tour with Hotel Pickup: $30
- Private Shopping Tour in Montego Bay with Hotel Pickup: $35
- Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour: $35
- Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
- Shopping and Sightseeing Tour of Montego Bay City: $39
- Montego Bay Walking Tour: $40
- Bamboo Rafting, Hip-Strip & Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $40
- The AMAZING Montego Bay Tour: $43
- Private Montego Bay Shopping Tour with Transportation: $45
Tours and Activities in La Fortuna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Fortuna are as follows:
- Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket: $20
- Two Destinations Tour - La Fortuna Top Destinations : $20
- Arenal Volcano Hike Experience (not guide included): $23
- Sloth Tour: $30
- Rainforest Chocolate Tour from La Fortuna: $30
- 1-Hour Private Sloth Tour in the Rainforest from Costa Rica: $30
- Don Olivo Chocolate Tour: $30
- Rainforest Chocolate Tour: $30
- arenal fortuna city tour: $30
- Organic chocolate tour : $31
- Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges Admission Ticket: $32
- Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park: $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13La Fortuna $11
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
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $215
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and La Fortuna, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is La Fortuna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and La Fortuna is in Central 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 La Fortuna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Fortuna 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 La Fortuna.
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 La Fortuna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or La Fortuna?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of La Fortuna. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and La Fortuna, 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 La Fortuna?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Montego Bay or La Fortuna in the Summer?
Both La Fortuna 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. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than La Fortuna. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than La Fortuna during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as La Fortuna in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)La Fortuna 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or La Fortuna in the Autumn?
Both La Fortuna 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round.
La Fortuna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in October than La Fortuna. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than La Fortuna. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 169 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as La Fortuna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and La Fortuna averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or La Fortuna in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and La Fortuna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than La Fortuna. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Fortuna this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than La Fortuna during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while La Fortuna receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay is generally cooler than La Fortuna. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and La Fortuna fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)La Fortuna 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or La Fortuna in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as La Fortuna. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna throughout the year.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in April than La Fortuna. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while La Fortuna receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. 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 La Fortuna. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Fortuna receives 255 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay is cooler than La Fortuna in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and La Fortuna fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)La Fortuna 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for La Fortuna and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | La Fortuna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
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.