Which place is cheaper, Montanita or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Montanita?
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 Montanita 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 Montanita?
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.
Montanita
Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Montanita $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Montanita is $96. 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 Montanita in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Montanita $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Montanita $82
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Montanita
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Montanita? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Montanita $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Private Airport OneWay Transfer to Hotel in Montego Bay : $300
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport To Ocho Rios: $267
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Kingston Hotels: $245
- Private Transfer to Island Gully Falls: $240
- Black River and YS Falls Adventure with Transfer: $235
- Private Transfer to Kingston: $215
- Kingston Airport Transfer (Montego bay,Negril,Ocho rio): $214
- Negril Hotels / Resort - Airport Transfers: $213
- Iberostar Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $200
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Kingston Hotels: $195
- Jewel Resort Transfer: $192
- Luxury Suburban Private Airport Transfer with Chauffeur : $192
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Montanita?
Prices for flights to both Montanita 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 $84Montanita $28
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Montanita $31
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Montanita $7.86
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 Montanita, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Montanita much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Montanita 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 Montanita would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montanita 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 Montanita.
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 Montanita Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Montego Bay or Montanita?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Montego Bay or Montanita in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Montanita. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in July than Montanita. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Montanita. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 107 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Montanita. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Montanita averages at about 25°C (78°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Montanita 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Montanita in the Autumn?
Both Montanita 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. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Montanita. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 117 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Montanita. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Montanita 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Montanita in the Winter?
Both Montanita 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than Montanita. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Montanita. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 88 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay is cooler than Montanita in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Montanita 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Montanita in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Montanita. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of rain as Montanita. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 133 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Montanita. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Montanita averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Montanita 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Montanita and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Montanita | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.