Which place is cheaper, New Bern 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.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or New Bern?
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 New Bern 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 New Bern?
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.
New Bern
New Bern is a town in the coastal region of North Carolina. The town, which has a population of about 30,000, is the county seat of Craven County. It sits at the confluence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers close to the North Carolina coast, although there is no coastline in town. The town makes a nice daytrip from Raleigh, which is 112 miles away, and Wilmington, which is 87 miles away. It's also 162 miles from Norfolk, Virginia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesNew Bern Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $258New Bern $169
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $258, while the average daily cost in New Bern is $169. 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 New Bern in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102New Bern $76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204New Bern $152
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and New Bern
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or New Bern? 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 New Bern Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15New Bern $34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- 2727lounge/Magarativille/Pier1 & taboo nightlife private transfer: $45
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Resort: $45
- Airport (MBJ) Round Trip Transfer in Montego Bay: $60
- Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfers, to Montego Bay Airbnb & Resorts: $53
- Airport Private Round Trip Transfer: $30
- Airport Private Transfers from Montego Bay to Hilton Rose Hall: $21
- Airport Transfer: $80
- Airport Transfer From Kingston: $200
- Airport Transfer MBJ Montego Bay to Kingston: $150
- Airport Transfer Montego Bay Hotels: $120
- Airport Transfer Riu Montego / Reggae / Palace: $40
- Airport Transfer To Grand Bahia Principe Hotel: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or New Bern?
Prices for flights to both New Bern 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 $142New Bern $70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- 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
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $117
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $135
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
- Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer: $150
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
- Authentic Jamaican Food Cooking Experience in the Countryside: $195
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations: $231
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31New Bern $26
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$2.67
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$37
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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:
- Shopping Tour for Whitter Village Mall Private / Charted Air Conditioned Taxi: $20
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- Lethe Rafting And Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $20
- Souvenirs and Gift shopping Tour in Montego Bay: $20
- Cinnamon Hill Great House Tour: Home of Johnny Cash: $23
- Night Life Tour in Montego Bay with complimentary section/table: $25
- Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage: $25
- Montego Bay Cruise Ship Port to Doctor's Cave Beach and City Tour: $29
- Private Tour Souvenir Shopping in Montego Bay: $30
- Montego Bay Private Shopping Tour with Hotel Pickup: $30
- Doctor Cave Beach and Hip Strip Shopping from Cruise Ship: $30
- Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13New Bern $30
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: $231
- Montego Bay Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and New Bern, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is New Bern much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and New Bern 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 New Bern would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in New Bern 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 New Bern.
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 New Bern Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or New Bern?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and New Bern, 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 New Bern?
New Bern 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 New Bern in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and New Bern. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to New Bern in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as New Bern. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and New Bern fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).
New Bern receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than New Bern. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)New Bern 80°F (27°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or New Bern in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as New Bern. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to New Bern for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months.
Montego Bay is a little warmer than New Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and New Bern fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).
Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than New Bern. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)New Bern 65°F (18°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or New Bern in the Winter?
Both New Bern 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 New Bern because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Montego Bay is much warmer than New Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and New Bern averages at about 44°F (7°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. In January, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than New Bern. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while New Bern 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)New Bern 44°F (7°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or New Bern in the Spring?
Both New Bern 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. Also, the small town charm are the main draw to New Bern this time of year.
In April, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and New Bern fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in April than New Bern. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)New Bern 62°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for New Bern and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | New Bern | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 5 inches (126 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 6.6 inches (169 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 7.6 inches (192 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 65°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.8 inches (96 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.