Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Tamarindo?
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 Tamarindo 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 Tamarindo?
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.
Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a small beach town in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica on the Pacific Coast. This town is usually sought out by surfers, fishers, couples, and families. There are delicious restaurants, beautiful beaches, and friendly Tico's and Tica's (local Costa Rican nicknames) everywhere.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $200Tamarindo $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $200, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is $117. 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 Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102Tamarindo $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204Tamarindo $96
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Tamarindo? 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 Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Tamarindo $66
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 Airport Transfer: RIU Resorts Montego Bay: $10
- Private Airport Transfer to Hotels: $10
- Private Airport Transfer from MBJ to RIU Montego Bay & Reggae: $13
- Private Transfer to Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach/Montego Beach : $13
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Montego Bay: $13
- Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
- Sandals Royal Caribbean Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
- Private Airport Transfer to Sandals Montego : $13
- MBJ Airport: Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $14
- RIU Reggae Palace and RIU Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer: $14
- Relaxing Airport To Resort In Montego Bay Transfer 1 Way: $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Private Transfer from Liberia/Tamarindo Guanacaste Airport: $20
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Best Western Tamarindo: $20
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To La Palapa In Tamarindo: $20
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Selina Tamarindo: $21
- Playa Grande to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $32
- Flamingo/Tamarindo to Liberia Airport(LIR)- Departure Transfer: $40
- JW Marriott/Riu Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Transfer: $40
- From Hotel Transfer to Liberia Guanacaste Airport: $62
- Monteverde: Transfer to Tamarindo: $65
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Mangroove Hotel: $67
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to RIU Guanacaste Hotel: $72
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Westin Resort: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo 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 $82Tamarindo $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Night cruise and swim the Falmouth Mystic Lagoon, Dinner and Rum Punch Inclusive: $85
- Private Rick Cafe Cliff Diving and Sunset Dinner Tour : $100
- Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer : $120
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $130
- Sunset Boat Ride in the Falmouth Luminous Lagoon swim and Dinner : $149
- Houseboat Restaurant and Grill for Dinner Private Transportation : $157
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
- Montego Bay Dinner and Nightlife Experience : $180
- Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience : $180
- Private Seafood Tour and Floyds Pelican Bar or Black River Safari: $185
- PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $190
- Private Martha Brae Raft and Luminous Lagoon Tour with Dinner: $270
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tamarindo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tamarindo.
- Online Class on Zoom: Cooking Costa Rica Homemade Food: $35
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Tamarindo $16
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$2.69
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$38
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$43
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- Shopping Tour for Whitter Village Mall Private / Charted Air Conditioned Taxi: $20
- Greenwood Great House Entry Ticket: $20
- Jet ski tour from montegobay: $28
- Private Tour Souvenir Shopping in Montego Bay : $30
- Montego Bay City Tour: $30
- Montego Bay Private Shopping Tour with Hotel Pickup: $30
- Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
- Club Mobay VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
- Bamboo Rafting and Foot Limestone Massage Tour in Montego Bay: $40
- Hip-strip Shopping and Great River Rafting Private Tour: $40
- Night Life Tour in Montego Bay : $40
- Bamboo Rafting, Limestone Massage & Hip Strip Private Tour: $45
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- Costa Rica: Santa Teresa day tour (only best view locations): $2.00
- Tamarindo Estuary Tour: $44
- Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo: $46
- Tamarindo Birdwatching Crocodiles and Monkey Tour: $50
- Sea turtle watching tour near playa grande: $55
- UTV Side By Side Off Road Tour Tamarindo Beach & Flamingo Beach: $65
- Hiking Tour of La Leona Waterfall with Lunch: $65
- Tamarindo Estuary: Kayak Monkey Tour: $65
- ATV and UTV Beach Tour from Tamarindo, Flamingo and Conchal Beach: $67
- Private Tour to Oropendola Waterfall and Hot Springs with Lunch: $70
- ATV Tour through the Flamingo Potrero and Brasilito Area: $70
- Zipline Canopy Tour from Guanacaste: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Tamarindo $13
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 Tamarindo, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Tamarindo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Tamarindo is in Central 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 Tamarindo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tamarindo 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 Tamarindo.
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 Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Montego Bay or Tamarindo?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Montego Bay or Tamarindo in the Summer?
Both Tamarindo 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. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Tamarindo during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
Both Tamarindo 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
December to May is the dry season in Tamarindo. Also, the hurricane season in Tamarindo is June to November. Tamarindo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in October than Tamarindo. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Tamarindo. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Tamarindo in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Tamarindo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Tamarindo. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tamarindo this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay is generally cooler than Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Tamarindo in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Tamarindo. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
Also, December to May in Tamarindo is the dry season. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Tamarindo. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in April than Tamarindo. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Tamarindo. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay is cooler than Tamarindo in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.