Which place is cheaper, Manaus or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Manaus?
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 Manaus 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 Manaus?
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.
Manaus
Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Manaus $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Manaus is $59. 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 Manaus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Manaus $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Manaus $84
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Manaus
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Manaus? 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 Manaus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Manaus $7.94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- 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
- Sunset at the Palms Negril Airport Transfers: $53
- Southcoast Private Airport Transfer: $108
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Negril: $27
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Lucea : $20
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $8.33
- Secrets Wild Orchid Hotel Airport Transfer : $21
- Secrets Wild Ochid/ St. James Private Airport Transfer: $43
- Secrets Resort Airport Transfer: $20
- Secrets & Breathless Hotel Montego Bay - Private Airport Transfer: $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus
Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer 24h Airport to Hotel in Manaus: $15
- Private 24-hour transfer from the Hotel to the Airport in Manaus: $16
- 24-hour hotel transfer - airport in Manaus: $17
- Transfer Privativo 24h aeroporto -> hotel em Manaus: $18
- Serviço de transfer privativo do Porto -> aeroporto de Mana: $20
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) -Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Manaus hotels to Manaus Airport(MAO) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Manaus Airport (MAO) to Manaus hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Manaus private Airport transfer: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Manaus?
Prices for flights to both Manaus 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 $84Manaus $12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- 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
- Rick’s Cafe Cliff Diving, Sunset & Dinner Tour with Transportation : $130
- Sunset Boat Ride in the Falmouth Luminous Lagoon swim and Dinner : $165
- Sunset Boat Cruise in Falmouth Luminous Lagoon, Swim and Dinner : $170
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- 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 Manaus
For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $42
- Food Tour: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Manaus -
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:
- ATV Adventure to Seven Mile Beach and Ricks Cafe: $220
- 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
- Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
- Blue Hole Adventure Tour : $120
- Dirt Adventure ATV from Montego Bay: $160
- Floyds Pelican Bar Private Tour : $155
- Green Grotto Cave Private Tour: $115
- Horseback Riding and Tour from Montego Bay : $230
- Jetski Experience: $245
- Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118
Tours and Activities in Manaus
For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Like a Local Customized Guided Welcome Tour: $30
- Manaus City Tour e Musa: $50
- City Tour in Manaus at Teatro Amazonas and Praça da Matriz: $50
- MUSA and INPA Museums with Observation Tower Tour: $50
- Half-Day City Tour: $54
- Full-Day Tour on the Amazon River: $55
- Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
- Manaus Sightseeing Tour: $64
- Solimoes River Piranha Fishing and Alligator Watching Tour: $66
- Tour to Presidente Figueiredo Waterfalls: $70
- Full-Day Package Tour in Presidente Figueiredo : $70
- Meeting of the Waters & Pink Dolphin Tour with Lunch: $71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Manaus $2.84
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: $215
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Manaus, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Manaus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Manaus is in South 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 Manaus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manaus 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 Manaus.
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 Manaus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Manaus?
Manaus has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Manaus, 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 Manaus?
Manaus 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 Manaus in the Summer?
Both Manaus 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.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Manaus in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Manaus fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Manausin January. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manaus receives 114 hours of full sun.
Manaus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than Manausin January. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 264 mm (10.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Manaus 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Manaus in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Manaus. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Manaus. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Manaus averages at about 28°C (82°F)in April.
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Manaus during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Manaus receives 112 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Manaus receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Manausin April. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 311 mm (12.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Manaus 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Manaus in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Manaus. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Montego Bay is generally cooler than Manausin July. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Manaus fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Manaus. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Manausin July. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manaus receives 214 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than Manausin July. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 85 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Manaus 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Manaus in the Spring?
Both Manaus 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.
Montego Bay is cooler than Manaus in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Manaus fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Manaus during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Manaus receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Manaus. In April, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Manausin October. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Manaus 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manaus and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Manaus | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 264 mm (10.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 311 mm (12.3 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.6 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.