Which place is cheaper, Saint Augustine or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Saint Augustine?
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 Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine?
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.
Saint Augustine
St. Augustine is the oldest European-established settlement in the United States. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon landed nearby and claimed the land now known as Florida in the name of Spain in 1513. They had originally named the land La Florida, which means "Land of Flowers". The city was founded by Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565. Sir Francis Drake and John Davis burnt the city to the ground in 1586 and 1665 respectively, but St. Augustine soon became strong enough to fend off such attacks. Florida was purchased by the United States from Spain in 1819; it seceded during the Civil War, during which St. Augustine was occupied by Union forces.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Saint Augustine $159
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Saint Augustine is $159. 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 Saint Augustine in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Saint Augustine $86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Saint Augustine $172
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Saint Augustine
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Saint Augustine? 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 Saint Augustine Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Saint Augustine $39
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Saint Augustine?
Prices for flights to both Saint Augustine 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 $84Saint Augustine $49
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 Saint Augustine
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Augustine.
- Feast of Saint Augustine Walking Food Tour: $139
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Saint Augustine $18
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 Saint Augustine
Here are a few actual costs in Saint Augustine for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St Augustine Haunted History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Child Friendly Pirate Walking Tour: $10
- Historic Museum Tour Ticket: $16
- Haunting Hour Walking Ghost Tour: $18
- Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine: $18
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour of St Augustine's Twisted History: $20
- America‘s Oldest City: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of St Augustine: $20
- Walking History Tour of St. Augustine's Historic District: $25
- Walking Tour in North City Cemeteries of St. Augustine: $25
- St. Augustine Ghost Tour: A Ghostly Encounter: $25
- Afterlife Tours- Beyond the Grave Tour: $25
- Ghost Tour of St. Augustine: The Original Haunted History Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Saint Augustine $25
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 Saint Augustine
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Augustine:
- The Original Haunted Pub Tour: $24
- Ghosts and Spirits of St Augustine Pub Crawl Tour: $39
- Toast of St. Augustine Walking Pub Crawl - drinks included: $63
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Saint Augustine, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Saint Augustine much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine.
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 Saint Augustine Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Saint Augustine?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Saint Augustine, 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 Saint Augustine?
Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Saint Augustine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Augustine this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Saint Augustine during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.
Saint Augustine receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Saint Augustine. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Saint Augustine 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Saint Augustine in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Saint Augustine. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year.
Montego Bay is a little warmer than Saint Augustine in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Augustine. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Saint Augustine. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 214 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Saint Augustine. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Saint Augustine 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Saint Augustine in the Winter?
Both Saint Augustine 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, many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Montego Bay is much warmer than Saint Augustine. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Saint Augustine averages at about 53°F (12°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Saint Augustine during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Saint Augustine. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Saint Augustine 53°F (12°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Saint Augustine in the Spring?
Both Saint Augustine 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, many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
In Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Saint Augustine. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 285 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in April than Saint Augustine. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Saint Augustine 68°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for Saint Augustine and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Saint Augustine | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.7 inches (146 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.8 inches (199 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (180 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 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.