Which place is cheaper, Sarasota or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Sarasota?
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 Sarasota 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 Sarasota?
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.
Sarasota
Located on the Gulf Coast of southwest Florida, Sarasota is a popular city known for its thriving arts scene, selection of restaurants, plenty of shopping, and beautiful beaches. The metropolitan area is a hub of city culture, while the beaches offer escapes of fine white sand and aqua waters.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Sarasota $249
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Sarasota is $249. 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 Sarasota in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Sarasota $108
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Sarasota $216
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Sarasota
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Sarasota? 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 Sarasota Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Sarasota -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport To Ocho Rios: $267
- Blue Hole and Horseback Riding from Montego Bay with Transfers: $265
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Kingston Hotels: $245
- Private Transfer to Island Gully Falls: $240
- Black River and YS Falls Adventure with Transfer: $235
- Chevy Suburban Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $225
- Private Transfer to Kingston: $215
- Private Transfer From Montego Bay Area or Airport MBJ to Kingston: $215
- Kingston Airport Transfer (Montego bay,Negril,Ocho rio): $214
- Airport Transfer From Kingston : $200
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Kingston Hotels: $195
- Negril Hotel Private Transfer Service: $190
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sarasota
Also for Sarasota, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sarasota to Sarasota–Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
- Sarasota–Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ) to Sarasota - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Sarasota–Bradenton Airport (SRQ) to Sarasota Round-Trip Transfer: $96
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Sarasota?
Prices for flights to both Sarasota 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 $84Sarasota $137
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 Sarasota
For Sarasota, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sarasota Street Food Tour: $85
- Taste of Downtown Food Tour: $105
- Downtown Walking Food Tour in Sarasota: $110
- Sarasota Kayak and Food Tour: $165
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Sarasota $11
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:
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting, and Horseback Ride Tour From Montego Bay: $173
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Pelican Bar Customize Tour: $120
- Bioluminescence Lagoon tour from Montego Bay with Pick Up: $105
- Blue Hole Adventure Tour : $120
- Catamaran Party Cruise and Snorkeling from Montego Bay: $220
- Dunns River & BlueHole Tour Includes Entry Fees: $289
- Falmouth Mystic from Montego Bay Luminous Lagoon Night Tour: $90
- Green Grotto Cave Private Tour: $115
- Horseback Riding and Tour from Montego Bay : $230
- Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118
- Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage River Tour: $110
- Montego Bay Jamaica Private Jet Ski And ATV experience: $120
Tours and Activities in Sarasota
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sarasota.
- Sarasota Art Crawl Trolley Tour: $14
- Palmetto: Haunted History Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Robinson Preserve Nature Walk Eco Tour: $40
- Mangroves, Manatees, and a Hidden Beach: Kayak Tour: $50
- Adventure and Wildlife Watch Kayak Rentals in Sarasota: $50
- Sharkey's Glass Bottom Fish Feeding LED Night Tour in Sarasota: $55
- 2 Hours Guided Robinson Preserve Mangrove Tour: $55
- Siesta Key Kayak Tour : $57
- Kayak Paddling Experience at The Bay Park: $58
- Sarasota Mangrove Tunnel Guided Kayak Adventure: $59
- Sarasota Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour: $59
- Siesta Key Guided Eco Tour: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Sarasota -
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Sarasota, we can see that Sarasota is more expensive. And not only is Montego Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Sarasota 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 Montego Bay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montego Bay 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 Sarasota would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sarasota than you might in Montego Bay.
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 Sarasota Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Sarasota?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Sarasota, 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 Sarasota?
Sarasota 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 Sarasota in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Sarasota. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Sarasota for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Sarasota in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Sarasota fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sarasota. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarasota receives 265 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Sarasota. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than Sarasota. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sarasota receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Sarasota 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Sarasota in the Autumn?
Both Sarasota 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. Also, many visitors come to Sarasota in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is a little warmer than Sarasota. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Sarasota averages at about 76°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Sarasota. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sarasota during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Sarasota receives 234 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Sarasota. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Sarasota receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Sarasota 76°F (24°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Sarasota in the Winter?
Both Sarasota 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. Also, most visitors come to Sarasota for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Sarasota. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Sarasota fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).
In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Sarasota. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarasota receives 200 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in January than Sarasota. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sarasota receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Sarasota 59°F (15°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Sarasota in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Sarasota. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the beaches.
Montego Bay is a little warmer than Sarasota in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Sarasota fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Sarasota during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Sarasota receives 299 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Sarasota. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sarasota receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Sarasota 73°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Sarasota and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Sarasota | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 62°F (17°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.