Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Santiago?
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 Santiago 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 Santiago?
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.
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.
Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Santiago $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $141. 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 Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Santiago $110
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Santiago? 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 Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Santiago $5.41
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
- Montego Bay Hotels Private Airport Transfer : $10
- Riu Reggae , Riu Palace & Riu Mobay Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $11
- Private Transfer Sangster International Airport to Montego Bay: $12
- RIU Reggae Palace and RIU Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Private Airport Transfer to Sandals Montego : $13
- MBJ Airport: Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $14
- Airport Transfer to RIU Montego Bay/Palace/Reggae: $14
- Private Airport Transfer to Half Moon - Holiday Inn - Zoetry: $14
- Private Airport Transfer to Breathless/ to Secrets Resort: $14
- Private Airport Transfer to Hyatt Ziva & Zilara to Jewel Grande: $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $24
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $25
- Santiago Airport (SCL) to Santiago hotels - Arrival Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer From The Hotel in Santiago City To the Airport: $29
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Santiago City: $29
- Private Transfer: $31
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $35
- From Farellones/Valle Nevado Roundtrip Transfer: $35
- Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $39
- Santiago de Chile Airport Private Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago 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 $84Santiago $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Private Transportation to DINNER or NIGHT CLUBS: $55
- Lunch or Dinner with Pickup from Montego Bay : $81
- Night cruise and swim the Falmouth Mystic Lagoon, Dinner and Rum Punch Inclusive: $85
- Rick’s Cafe Cliff Diving, Sunset & Dinner Tour with Transportation : $130
- Sunset Boat Ride in the Falmouth Luminous Lagoon swim and Dinner : $165
- Sunset Boat Cruise in Falmouth Luminous Lagoon, Swim and Dinner : $170
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Houseboat Restaurant and Grill for Dinner Private Transportation : $180
- Private Sea-Food Tour & Floyds Pelican Bar from Montego Bay or ..: $185
- [PRIVATE] Premium Jamaican Food Tour of Local Cuisine: $190
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.89
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Hamburger$2.50
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Dinner$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $94
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
- Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158
- Traditional Chilean Cooking Class with a Local in Her Santiago Countryside Home: $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Santiago $47
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:
- Greenwood Great House Entry Ticket: $20
- Cinnamon Hill Great House Tour - Home of Johnny Cash: $23
- Skip the Line: Rose Hall Great House & Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
- Private Shopping Tour in Montego Bay with Hotel Pickup: $35
- Skip the Line: Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden Admission Tickets: $35
- Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour: $35
- Shopping and Sightseeing Tour of Montego Bay City: $39
- Shopping and Sightseeing Local Guided Tour In Montego Bay: $40
- Montego Bay Walking Tour: $40
- Bamboo Rafting, Hip-Strip & Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $40
- Private Montego Bay Shopping Tour with Transportation: $45
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
- Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
- La Paz from the Heights: Down hill Walking tour & Cable Cars: $12
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $15
- Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
- Skip the Line: Concha y Toro Traditional Tour Ticket: $25
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- Walking tour through Santiago: $26
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones Small Group Tour: $29
- Small-Group Tour to Valle Nevado and Farellones from Santiago: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Santiago $8.41
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: $215
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
- Undurraga Wine tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99
- Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143
- Premium Wine Tasting and Tour at Santa Rita with Transport: $145
- Santa Rita: Ultra Premium Wine Tasting, Tour and Transport: $145
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Santiago, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Santiago is in South 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 Santiago would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santiago 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 Santiago.
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 Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Santiago, 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 Santiago?
Santiago 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 Santiago in the Summer?
Both Santiago 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.
Montego Bay is a little warmer than Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
In July, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Santiago in the Autumn?
Both Santiago 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.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Santiago in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Santiago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
In January, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In January, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Santiago in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Santiago. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Montego Bay is much warmer than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.