Which place is cheaper, San Fernando 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 San Fernando?
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 San Fernando 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 San Fernando?
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.
San Fernando
As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesSan Fernando Prices
Trinidad and Tobago Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $255San Fernando $188
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $255, while the average daily cost in San Fernando is $188. 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 San Fernando in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $100San Fernando $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $200San Fernando $148
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and San Fernando
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or San Fernando? 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 $14San Fernando $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Kingston: One Way Private Transfer to Montego Bay Airport: $319
- Private Airport Transfers To and From Kingston (KIN) Airport: $200
- Horseback Ride/Swim and Blue Hole Falls Daytrip with Transfers: $190
- Green Grato Caves and Dunns River Falls with Private Transfer : $180
- Riu Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $169
- Private Martha Brae Bamboo Rafting Tour with Private Transfer: $135
- Club Mobay VIP Lounge Access and Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $113
- Private Transfer to Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole: $110
- Private Transfer to Dunns River Blue Hole Tubing from Montego Bay: $110
- Experience Jamaica Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $100
- Airport Transfer Service In Montego bay: $95
- Sandals South Coast Airport Transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or San Fernando?
Prices for flights to both San Fernando 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 $139San Fernando $83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $10
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica : $130
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations : $158
- PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31San Fernando $28
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$2.63
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Snorkeling Trip$18
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One Tank Dive$37
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$42
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
- Dunn’s River Secret falls with Horse-back&Bamboo Raft Experience: $125
- Falmouth Mystic from Montego Bay Luminous Lagoon Night Tour: $90
- Luminous Lagoon Glow in the Dark Boat Tour from Montego Bay: $65
- Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118
- 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
- 3 Hours Private Highlights Tour & Shopping in Montego Bay Jamaica: $100
- 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
- 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
- ATV Adventure and Rick's Cafe Tour with Transportation: $238
- ATV Jungle Safari Tour from Montego Bay: $125
- ATV Tour, Limestone Bamboo Rafting and Transportation: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13San Fernando $22
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and San Fernando, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is San Fernando much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Fernando would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Fernando 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 San Fernando.
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 San Fernando Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or San Fernando?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of San Fernando. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and San Fernando, 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 San Fernando?
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 San Fernando in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as San Fernando. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in San Fernando. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than San Fernando. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. 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 San Fernando. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Fernando receives 206 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as San Fernando in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and San Fernando fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)San Fernando 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or San Fernando in the Autumn?
Both San Fernando 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 San Fernando because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than San Fernando. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in San Fernando. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than San Fernando during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while San Fernando receives 207 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as San Fernando. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and San Fernando averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)San Fernando 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or San Fernando in the Winter?
Both San Fernando 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 San Fernando year-round.
Montego Bay usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as San Fernando. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In San Fernando, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Fernando. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Fernando receives 241 hours of full sun.
In January, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as San Fernando. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and San Fernando fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)San Fernando 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or San Fernando in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and San Fernando. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. San Fernando attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than San Fernando. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Fernando during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while San Fernando receives 238 hours of full sun in the spring.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as San Fernando in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and San Fernando fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)San Fernando 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for San Fernando and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | San Fernando | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 252 mm (9.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 225 mm (8.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 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.