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

Should you visit Montego Bay or Vernon?

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 Vernon 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 Vernon?

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.

Vernon

Vernon is located in British Columbia, Canada. It's in the Okanagan region of the Southern Interior and dates back to 1892. The city has a population of about 40,000 and the Greater Vernon area has a population of about 58,584. It's the largest city in the North Okanagan Regional District. In many ways Vernon feels like most other towns around North America, but if you find yourself here with some time to spare, you can find a handful of activities that will help you see it's unique personality and interesting qualities. The town is most popular for its lakes and beaches during the summer monts, and its skiing and hockey during the winter months.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Vernon 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 Vernon is $30. 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 Vernon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montego Bay $104
    Vernon $4.82
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montego Bay $208
    Vernon $9.64
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Vernon

Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Vernon? 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 Vernon


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 Vernon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montego Bay $15
    Vernon -

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Vernon?

Prices for flights to both Vernon 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
    Vernon $25

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montego Bay $32
    Vernon -
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:

  • Skip the Line: Rose Hall Great House & Garden Tour Ticket: $30
  • Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
  • Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour: $35
  • Night Life Tour in Montego Bay : $40
  • Private Montego Bay Shopping Tour with Transportation: $45
  • City Highlights and Souvenir Shopping Tour: $45
  • Rose Hall Great House 2-Hour Night Tour: $45
  • 3-Hour Private Tour in the Highlights of Montego Bay: $45
  • Half-Day Private Guided Ricks Café & Negril Seven Mile Beach Tour: $45
  • Bamboo Rafting and Margaritaville Hip Strip Private Tour: $45
  • Tranfers and Tours: $48
  • 4 Hours Custom Adventure and Water Activities in Montego Bay: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montego Bay $13
    Vernon $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
  • Montego Bay Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $103


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

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 Vernon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Vernon?

Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Vernon. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Vernon, 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 Vernon?

Vernon 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 Vernon in the Summer?

Both Vernon 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.

In the summer, Montego Bay is a little warmer than Vernon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Vernon averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In July, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Vernon. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F) 
    Vernon 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Vernon in the Autumn?

Both Vernon 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 October, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Vernon fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Vernon. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F) 
    Vernon 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Vernon in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Vernon. Montego Bay is much warmer than Vernon in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

In January, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Vernon. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F) 
    Vernon -3°C (27°F)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Vernon in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Montego Bay is much warmer than Vernon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Vernon averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Montego Bay usually gets more rain in April than Vernon. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F) 
    Vernon 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Vernon and Montego Bay

Montego Bay Vernon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) -3°C (27°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 2°C (35°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 7°C (44°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
May 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 11°C (51°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 4°C (39°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) -1°C (30°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)