A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montego Bay vs. Valdivia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Montego Bay or Valdivia?

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 Valdivia 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 Valdivia?

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.

Valdivia

Valdivia is a vibrant university city situated in southern Chile. It sits at the meeting point of three rivers in the aptly named Region de Los Rios (The Rivers Region) and is approximately 200 kilometers from both Temuco and Puerto Montt. Due to a large student population, Valdivia boasts a youthful and energetic vibe that is visible in its many bars, cafes and restaurants. The city is also known for having one of Chile's best craft beer cultures, which had its early beginnings when German settlers arrived in the 1840s. The rivers, nearby Pacific coastline and wetlands offer plenty for lovers of the outdoors, too.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Chile, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Valdivia or Montego Bay?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Valdivia is $69. 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 Valdivia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montego Bay $104
    Valdivia $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montego Bay $208
    Valdivia $80
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Valdivia

Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Valdivia? 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.

Hotels in Montego Bay


Hotels in Valdivia


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 Valdivia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montego Bay $15
    Valdivia $8.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • Private Airport OneWay Transfer to Hotel in Montego Bay : $300
  • Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport To Ocho Rios: $267
  • Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Kingston Hotels: $245
  • Private Transfer to Island Gully Falls: $240
  • Black River and YS Falls Adventure with Transfer: $235
  • Private Transfer to Kingston: $215
  • Kingston Airport Transfer (Montego bay,Negril,Ocho rio): $214
  • Negril Hotels / Resort - Airport Transfers: $213
  • Iberostar Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $200
  • Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Kingston Hotels: $195
  • Jewel Resort Transfer: $192
  • Luxury Suburban Private Airport Transfer with Chauffeur : $192

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valdivia

Also for Valdivia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Valdivia Airport Private Transfer: $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Valdivia?

Prices for flights to both Valdivia 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Montego Bay $84
    Valdivia $21

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montego Bay $32
    Valdivia $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:


  • Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach
    $2.74
  • Snorkeling Trip
    $19
  • One Tank Dive
    $38
  • 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 Adventure to Seven Mile Beach and Ricks Cafe: $220
  • 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
  • Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
  • Blue Hole Adventure Tour : $120
  • Dirt Adventure ATV from Montego Bay: $160
  • Floyds Pelican Bar Private Tour : $155
  • Green Grotto Cave Private Tour: $115
  • Horseback Riding and Tour from Montego Bay : $230
  • Jetski Experience: $245
  • Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118

Tours and Activities in Valdivia

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Valdivia.

  • Valdivia SUP Cruises for 6 People with Transportation Included: $35
  • Sightseeing Tour in Valdivia : $76
  • Private City Tour: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montego Bay $13
    Valdivia $4.79

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Valdivia, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Valdivia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Valdivia 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 Valdivia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valdivia 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 Valdivia.

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 Valdivia Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Valdivia?

Valdivia has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Valdivia, 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 Valdivia?

Valdivia 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 Valdivia in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Valdivia. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Valdiviain January. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Valdivia fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valdivia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Valdiviain January. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valdivia receives 296 hours of full sun.

Montego Bay usually gets more rain in July than Valdiviain January. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F) 
    Valdivia 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Valdivia in the Autumn?

Both Valdivia 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.

Montego Bay is much warmer than Valdivia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Valdivia fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Valdivia during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Valdivia receives 132 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Valdivia. It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of rain as Valdiviain April. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F) 
    Valdivia 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Valdivia in the Winter?

Both Valdivia 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.

In the winter, Montego Bay is much warmer than Valdivia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Valdivia averages at about 7°C (45°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Valdiviain July. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valdivia receives 66 hours of full sun.

Valdivia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than Valdiviain July. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F) 
    Valdivia 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Valdivia in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Valdivia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.

In April, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Valdiviain October. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Valdivia fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Valdivia during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Valdivia receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

Valdivia receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Valdiviain October. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F) 
    Valdivia 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Valdivia and Montego Bay

Montego Bay Valdivia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 17°C (62°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 295 mm (11.6 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 297 mm (11.7 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 7°C (45°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 247 mm (9.7 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 9°C (48°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 16°C (60°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)