Which place is cheaper, Santa Barbara or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Santa Barbara?
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 Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara?
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.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is located in California, less than 100 miles from Los Angeles. It sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, giving it a stunning backdrop. The town has a population of just 90,000 but it still offers visitors many cultural, culinary, and shopping experiences that surpass many large cities. There are wide beaches along a beautiful coastline, impressive wineries, and many top rated restaurants. Many people see Santa Barbara as a hangout for the rich and famous, but with a university and diverse population, the city is much more relatable than you might expect, although travel prices here are still somewhat high.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Santa Barbara $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Santa Barbara is $162. 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 Santa Barbara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Santa Barbara $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Santa Barbara $176
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Santa Barbara
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Santa Barbara? 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 Santa Barbara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Santa Barbara $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $8.33
- Montego Bay Hotels Private Transfer : $10
- RIU Reggae Palace and RIU Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Montego Bay: $13
- Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
- Riu Reggae , Riu Palace & Riu Mobay Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $13
- Private Airport Transfer to Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach : $13
- MBJ Airport: Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $14
- Airport Transfer to RIU Montego Bay/Palace/Reggae: $14
- Montego Bay Airport Private Transfer to Riu Montego Bay, Reggae, Palace: $14
- Private Airport Transfer to Half Moon - Holiday Inn - Zoetry: $14
- MBJ Airport Private Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels: $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Barbara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Barbara:
- Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Port to Los Angeles Airport: $93
- Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Cruise Port to Los Angeles: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Santa Barbara?
Prices for flights to both Santa Barbara 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 $84Santa Barbara $46
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Santa Barbara $27
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
- Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour: $35
- Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
- Night Life Tour in Montego Bay : $40
- Private Montego Bay Shopping Tour with Transportation: $45
- Half-Day Private Guided Ricks Café & Negril Seven Mile Beach Tour: $45
- 3-Hour Private Tour in the Highlights of Montego Bay: $45
- Bamboo Rafting and Margaritaville Hip Strip Private Tour: $45
- City Highlights and Souvenir Shopping Tour: $45
- Rose Hall Great House 2-Hour Night Tour: $45
- Tranfers and Tours: $48
- Montego Bay River Rafting And Limestone Foot Massage Private Tour: $50
Tours and Activities in Santa Barbara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Barbara are as follows:
- Santa Barbara Trolley Tour: $30
- Santa Barbara Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Santa Barbara Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Santa Barbara Ghost History and Mystery Walking Tour "Invisible Becomes Visible": $55
- Santa Barbara Ghost Tour "The Veil is Lifted" History & Mystery Walk: $55
- Guided Kayak Wildlife Tour in the Santa Barbara Harbor: $55
- The Haunt: Solvang Ghost Hunting Tour: $55
- Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide: $55
- 1.5-Hour Harbor Kayak Tour: $60
- Catamaran Coastal Cruise: $62
- 2- Hour Pottery Workshop and Studio Tour in Ojai: $65
- Guided Sea Lion Kayaking Tour: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Santa Barbara $12
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Barbara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Santa Barbara:
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Camping$20
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Barbara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santa Barbara:
- Paranormal Pairing: Wine Tasting Walk with Ghost Storytelling: $105
- Solvang Valley Small Group All-Inclusive Wine Tour : $185
- Santa Ynez Valley Biking and Wine Tasting Tour: $194
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Ynez Valley: $199
- Wine Tasting Tour in Santa Ynez Valley (All-Inclusive & Full-Day): $215
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Barbara: $219
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour of Santa Barbara Wine Country: $235
- Santa Barbara Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Estates & Wineries: $235
- Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Locations in Santa Barbara : $235
- Santa Barbara/Santa Ynez Wine Tour (We Drive Your Vehicle): $300
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Santa Barbara, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Santa Barbara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara.
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 Santa Barbara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara in the Summer?
Both Santa Barbara 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, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Montego Bay is much warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Santa Barbara averages at about 65°F (19°C).
In July, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara 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)Santa Barbara 65°F (19°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?
Both Santa Barbara 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Santa Barbara. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Santa Barbara 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Santa Barbara in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Santa Barbara. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Montego Bay is much warmer than Santa Barbara in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
In January, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Santa Barbara. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Santa Barbara 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Santa Barbara in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Santa Barbara. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.
In the spring, Montego Bay is much warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Santa Barbara averages at about 57°F (14°C).
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in April than Santa Barbara. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Santa Barbara 57°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Santa Barbara | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 65°F (19°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (56 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.