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

Should you visit Montego Bay or Los Angeles?

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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?

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.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California is probably one of the most well known cities in the United States. It is the second most populated metro area in the country with more than 17 million people. The city's diversity is wide reaching, giving it a character that is unique from any other place in the country. LA has many world famous sights and neighborhoods including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and Santa Monica, but there is really so much more to this city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.


Which place is cheaper, Los Angeles 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.

  • Montego Bay Prices
    Jamaica Prices
    Los Angeles Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Montego Bay $257
    Los Angeles $299

The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $257, while the average daily cost in Los Angeles is $299. 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 Los Angeles in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montego Bay $101
    Los Angeles $138
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montego Bay $202
    Los Angeles $276
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Los Angeles

Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Los Angeles? 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 Los Angeles


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 Los Angeles Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montego Bay $15
    Los Angeles $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • luxury VIP Airport Transfer to RIU Palace, Reggae,Montego bay: $140
  • Zoetry Montego Bay Airport Transfers MBJ (Private Roundtrip Exclusive): $180
  • VIP Luxury Airport Transfer Mobay, Ocho Rios, Negril, Lucea,: $150
  • Tryall / Round Hill - Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $107
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Montego Bay HTL-APT (MBJ): $37
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Montego Bay APT-HTL (MBJ): $37
  • Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
  • Transfers from Montego Bay Airport to Negril: $53
  • Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Iberostar zone: $64
  • Tobys Resort Private Airport Transfer: $20
  • Sunset at the Palm Private Negril Airport Transfer: $52
  • Sunscape Resorts Montego Bay Private Airport Transfers: $25

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Los Angeles

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Los Angeles:


  • Hotel Parking for a Day
    $22
  • Taxi to Airport
    $55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Los Angeles

Also for Los Angeles, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Group Transfer From or To Los Angeles LAX Airport: $15
  • LAX Airport Private Transfer to/from Downtown: $32
  • Port Of Long Beach Cruiseport Private Hotel Transfer up to 5 PAX: $33
  • Los Angeles:Private Airport Transfers to/from LA or Disney: $36
  • Private Transfer to/from Los Angeles LAX Airport: $36
  • Private Departure Transfer to Burbank Airport (BUR): $40
  • Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Los Angeles - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
  • Los Angeles to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
  • LAX Private Airport Transfer: $45
  • Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Anaheim - Arrival Private Transfer: $45
  • Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Long Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $59
  • Garden Groove to John Wayne Airport (SNA) - Departure Private Transfer: $63

Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Los Angeles?

Prices for flights to both Los Angeles 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 $141
    Los Angeles $104

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
  • 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
  • Sunset Dinner at Bamboo Beach Club: $99
  • 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
  • Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $130
  • Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
  • Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
  • Authentic Jamaican Food Cooking Experience in the Countryside: $195
  • Authentic Jamaican Cooking Experience in the Mountain from mobay: $210

Typical Food Prices in Los Angeles

For Los Angeles, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Mexican Dinner (family of 4)
    $32
  • Burritos for Two
    $15
  • Coffee and Danish
    $7.70

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Los Angeles

For Los Angeles, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Silver Lake Food Tour with Comedian Foodie Guide!: $59
  • Santa Monica Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Churros, and More: $70
  • Fun Gyoza Cooking Class With a Local Chef: $75
  • Silverlake Food Tour with Comedian Guide: $85
  • Los Angeles : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $85
  • Los Angeles Taco Tour with To Live and Dine in LA Food Tours: $89
  • Los Angeles Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $89
  • LA Food Tour: 6 Iconic Downtown Tastings & Secret Dish: $92
  • 6 Authentic Tastings of Venice Beach Food Tour: $99
  • The Immigrant & Historic Businesses of Silver Lake Food Tour: $99
  • LA Chinatown & Olvera St. Food Tour with To Live and Dine in LA: $99
  • Venice Beach Food Tour with Tastings: $105

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montego Bay $31
    Los Angeles $83
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
    $2.66
  • Snorkeling Trip
    $19
  • One Tank Dive
    $37
  • 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:

  • 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
  • 2 Hour Private Montego Bay City Tour with Souvenir’s Shopping: $80
  • 27/27 Lounge, Pier 1 & Margaritaville Nightlife Tour In Jamaica: $80
  • 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
  • 3-Hour Private Tour in the Highlights of Montego Bay: $58
  • 4 Hours Party Boat Catamaran Cruise in Negril: $190
  • 4 Hours Private Night Life Experience in Montego Bay: $66
  • 4-Hour Catamaran Party Cruise with Open Bar from Montego Bay: $200
  • 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 Party Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling & Ricks Cafe: $115
  • 7 in 1 Day Jamaican Adventure with Jhadano Tours: $50

Typical Entertainment Prices in Los Angeles

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Los Angeles's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Santa Monica Pier Rides (family of 4)
    $37
  • Bowling
    $13
  • Hollywood Tour for Two
    $30
  • Six Flags for 2
    $96

Tours and Activities in Los Angeles

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

  • Self-Guided Walking Tour in Los Angeles' Best-Kept Secrets: $3.55
  • Venice Beach: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
  • Los Angeles Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
  • Griffith Park Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
  • Santa Monica: Self-guided Bike Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
  • West Hollywood Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $6.00
  • Hollywood Boulevard’s Haunting History and Hidden Gems: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Los Angeles Getty Center Reserved Entry and Audio Tour: $8.10
  • Gambling Built the Sunset Strip: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Hollywood Walk of Fame: Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $9.00
  • Broad Museum and Downtown Los Angeles in App Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Hollywood Walk of Fame: Self-Guided Multilingual Walking Tour: $9.00

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montego Bay $13
    Los Angeles $15

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: $255

Sample the Local Flavors in Los Angeles

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Los Angeles:

  • LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Hollywood Distillery Tour and Tasting: $30
  • LA : Drag Highlights - Bar Crawl & Show – Drinks Included!: $50
  • Santa Monica's Only Winery: Sommelier Guided Wine Tasting: $50
  • 2 Hours Party Bike Pub Crawl Tour in Glendale California: $55
  • Malibu: Vintage VW Sightseeing Tour and Wine Tasting: $195


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Los Angeles, we can see that Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles?

Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles in the Summer?

Both Los Angeles 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 travelers come to Los Angeles for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Montego Bay is a little warmer than Los Angeles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Los Angeles averages at about 72°F (22°C).

Montego Bay usually gets more rain in July than Los Angeles. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F) 
    Los Angeles 72°F (22°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Los Angeles in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Los Angeles. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Los Angeles in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Los Angeles. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Los Angeles fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

Montego Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Los Angeles. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F) 
    Los Angeles 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Los Angeles in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Los Angeles. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Los Angeles for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Montego Bay is much warmer than Los Angeles in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Los Angeles fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than Los Angeles. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F) 
    Los Angeles 55°F (13°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Los Angeles in the Spring?

Both Los Angeles 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 spring months attract visitors to Los Angeles because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Montego Bay is much warmer than Los Angeles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Los Angeles averages at about 61°F (16°C).

In April, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Los Angeles. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F) 
    Los Angeles 61°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Los Angeles and Montego Bay

Montego Bay Los Angeles
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 55°F (13°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 55°F (13°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 57°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 61°F (16°C) 1 inches (25 mm)
May 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 63°F (17°C) 0.4 inches (10 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 66°F (19°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 72°F (22°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 72°F (22°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 70°F (21°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 64°F (18°C) 0.6 inches (15 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 63°F (17°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 57°F (14°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm)