Which place is cheaper, Maui or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Maui?
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 Maui 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 Maui?
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.
Maui
Who hasn't spent at least one Monday morning fantasizing about holding a mai tai on a Hawaiian beach? A trip to Maui may be just what we all have in mind, but it's so much more than a drink on a sandy towel.
At over 700 square miles, the island of Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian islands with a small population of just over 140,000 people. The island enjoys approximately two seasons a year with a mild climate just about everywhere. Rough living, right?
Voted "Best Island in the World" by many in the travel industry, Maui is the center for whale watching, relaxing on the beach, snorkeling, and the home of a large and lush rainforest.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Maui $275
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Maui is $275. 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 Maui in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Maui $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Maui $282
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Maui
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Maui? 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 Maui Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Maui $62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Airport Round transfer Excellence,Coral Springs,Paladium, Royaltan Blue Waters: $80
- Airport Transfer To Iberoster star Hotel : $61
- Airport Transfer To S Hotel (Round-trip): $35
- Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels (Round-Trip): $52
- Airport Transfer to Sunscape Splash Resort (Round-Trip) : $34
- Airport Transfers to Iberostar Hotel (Round-trip): $53
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Areas Private Luxury Transfer: $179
- Riu Reggae , Riu Palace & Riu Mobay Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $13
- Round-Trip Transfer Airport transfer to Grand Palladium Resort & Spa: $87
- Shared Airport Transfer To Montego Bay Hotels: $55
- 12. Runaway Bay Hotels&Accommodations Airport Private Transfer to/from Sangster : $70
- Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden Private Transfer : $97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Maui
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Maui:
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Maui Airport to Hotel: $13
- Private Arrival Transfer from Maui Kahului Airport OGG: $31
- Private Departure Transfer to Maui Kahului Airport OGG: $78
- Private Transfer from Lahaina Cruise Port to Kahului Airport(OGG): $80
- Private Transfer from Lahaina Cruise Port to Maui city hotels: $80
- Private Transfer from Maui City Hotels to Lahaina Cruise Port: $80
- Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) to Maui hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $85
- Maui to Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) - Departure Private Transfer: $85
- Private transfer: Kahului Airport (OGG) to Kahului: $99
- Private transfer: Kahului to Kahului Airport (OGG): $99
- Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) to Maui - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $170
- Private Customizable Island Tour with Transfer: $500
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Maui?
Prices for flights to both Maui 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 $84Maui $94
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Maui
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Maui.
- From Ma'alaea Harbor: Sunset Dinner Cruise Aboard the Quicksilver: $120
- From Ma'alaea Harbor: Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise Aboard Calypso: $130
- Ma'alaea Harbor: Sunset Prime Rib or Mahi Mahi Dinner Cruise : $140
- Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise from Ka’anapali Beach: $154
- South Gilligans' Island Luau with Dinner and Drinks: $166
- Mystery Puzzle Food Tour in Lahaina for 2 People: $170
- Premium Dinner Cruise: Four Course Dining Experience - Ma'alaea: $170
- Maui Sunset Luau Dinner Cruise from Ma'alaea Harbor aboard Pride of Maui: $187
- Haleakala's Best Sunset Tour with Dinner: $210
- Wailele Luau Including Fire and Knife Performance plus Dinner: $219
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Maui $38
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
- Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
- Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour: $35
- Night Life Tour in Montego Bay : $40
- Private Montego Bay Shopping Tour with Transportation: $45
- City Highlights and Souvenir Shopping Tour: $45
- Rose Hall Great House 2-Hour Night Tour: $45
- 3-Hour Private Tour in the Highlights of Montego Bay: $45
- Half-Day Private Guided Ricks Café & Negril Seven Mile Beach Tour: $45
- Bamboo Rafting and Margaritaville Hip Strip Private Tour: $45
- Tranfers and Tours: $48
- 4 Hours Custom Adventure and Water Activities in Montego Bay: $50
Tours and Activities in Maui
Here are a few actual costs in Maui for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- South Beach Parks Self-Guided Driving Tour: $12
- Ultimate Self-Driving Audio Tour of Road to Hana, Maui: $17
- Kahului: Self-Driving Audio Tour of Road to Hana: $17
- Self-Guided Audio Tours - Full Island: $20
- Maui Bundle: 6 In-App Driving And Walking Audio Tours: $30
- All Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle: $40
- Reefdancer Semi-Sub Boat Cruise from Lahaina Harbor: $54
- Small-Group Ghost Walking Tour in Maui: $59
- Taste of Hawaii: A Maui Farm Tour: $69
- Maui Pineapple Farm Tour in Haliimaile: $75
- Hali'imaile: Pineapple Farm Tour: $75
- 3 Hours Guided Koa Kai Snorkel Adventure & Sunset Combo: $83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Maui $41
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Maui
Also in Maui, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Goat Farm, Distillery, & Glass-Blowing Tour w/ Tasting: $224
- Maui Tour : Iao Valley, Hawaiian Distillery and Lavender Farm Tour: $300
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Maui, we can see that Maui 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 Maui 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 Maui would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maui 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 Maui Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Montego Bay or Maui?
Maui 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 Maui in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Maui. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, many visitors come to Maui in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Maui in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Maui fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Maui during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Maui. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Maui 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Maui in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Maui. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Maui for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Maui. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Maui averages at about 78°F (26°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Maui. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Maui. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Maui 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Maui in the Winter?
Both Maui and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Maui because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Maui. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Maui fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).
It's quite sunny in Maui. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Maui during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Maui. In January, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Maui. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Maui 72°F (22°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Maui in the Spring?
Both Maui and Montego Bay during the spring 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, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Maui this time of year.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Maui in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Maui fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Maui. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in April than Maui. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Maui 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Maui and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Maui | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.3 inches (83 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.