Which place is cheaper, Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs?
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 Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs?
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.
Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a desert resort town located about two hours east of Los Angeles, most famously known as Hollywood's playground, where stars and starlets could escape for rest and relaxation but still be close enough to return for impromptu work.
It's no wonder that Palm Springs is increasingly popular as a weekend getaway for special occasions, and even for bachelor and bachelorette parties. Closer than the typical Las Vegas weekend for Southern California residents, Palm Springs provides a desert getaway with endless possibilities of activities, whether visitors want to gamble, shop, hike, or wander through an art gallery.
Climate in the high-desert is generally warm with highs in the 100s during the hot and dry summers, and lows in the mid 40s in the winter months, with sparse rainfall. However, if you're visiting during winter, be sure to pack versatile attire and layers as the days may be warm, but the nights in the low desert can get chilly enough to convince you to change into long pants.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesPalm Springs Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $258Palm Springs $244
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $258, while the average daily cost in Palm Springs is $244. 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 Palm Springs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102Palm Springs $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204Palm Springs $240
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Palm Springs
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Palm Springs? 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 Palm Springs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Palm Springs $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Breathless Resort Exclusive Private Airport Transfer: $10
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril *Air Conditioning: $10
- Private Airport Transfers from Montego Bay: $10
- Princess Resorts Cousins Cove Green Island Jamaica Transfers: $10
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer: RIU Mobay, RIU Reggae & RIU Palace: $13
- El Greco Resort Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels: $14
- Private Airport Transfer To Riu Montego Bay, Palace & Reggae: $14
- Private Transfer From Montego Bay Airport to Hotel in Montego Bay: $14
- RIU Reggae Palace and RIU Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer: $14
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Montego Bay and Falmouth: $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palm Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palm Springs:
- Private Transfer from PSP to Vía La Quinta, Indio, CA: $169
- Desert Hot Springs to Palm Springs Airport PSP Departure Transfer: $196
- Private Airport Transfer in Palm Springs: $209
- Private Transfer from Palm Springs Municipal Airport to Ontario: $280
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Palm Springs?
Prices for flights to both Palm Springs 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 $142Palm Springs $92
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palm Springs
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palm Springs.
- Downtown Palm Springs Gourmet Food Tour: $220
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Palm Springs $29
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
Tours and Activities in Palm Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palm Springs are as follows:
- Joshua Tree's Hidden Valley Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.99
- Joshua Tree NP Self Guided Audio Driving Tour West Entrance Start: $9.75
- Self Guided Death Valley Driving Tour start Death Valley Junction: $12
- Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Death Valley National Park Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
- Joshua Tree National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Palm Springs and Joshua Tree Self-Guided Driving Audio Tours: $21
- Phantoms of Palm Springs Ghost Tour: Penance and Purgatory: $24
- Paintball Target Shooting Experience in Joshua Tree: $25
- Self-Driving Windmill Tour: $30
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Admission Ticket: $34
- Aerial Tramway Round-Trip Ticket: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Palm Springs $13
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 comparing the travel costs between Montego Bay and Palm Springs, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Palm Springs is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Palm Springs Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Palm Springs?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of Palm Springs. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Palm Springs, 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 Palm Springs?
Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs in the Summer?
Both Palm Springs and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Palm Springs for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Palm Springs. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Palm Springs fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
In July, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Palm Springs. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Palm Springs 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Palm Springs in the Autumn?
Both Palm Springs and Montego Bay during the autumn 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 autumn months attract visitors to Palm Springs because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
Montego Bay is a little warmer than Palm Springs in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Palm Springs fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Palm Springs. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Palm Springs 69°F (20°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Palm Springs in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Palm Springs. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Palm Springs this time of year.
In the winter, Montego Bay is much warmer than Palm Springs. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Palm Springs averages at about 57°F (14°C).
In January, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Palm Springs. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 2 inches (52 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Palm Springs 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Palm Springs in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Palm Springs. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Palm Springs. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Palm Springs fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in April than Palm Springs. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.9 inches (24 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Palm Springs 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for Palm Springs and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Palm Springs | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 65°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.7 inches (42 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.