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

Should you visit Montego Bay or Vieques Island?

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 Vieques Island 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 Vieques Island?

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.

Vieques Island

Amidst the melodious chorus of coqui frogs and gentle whispers of palm trees blowing in an evening breeze, you will find that the waters around you glow just as brightly as the stars above. This tropical paradise is none other than Vieques, Puerto Rico. Tropical forests, bioluminescent bays, coral reefs--this island attracts visitors from all around the world who seek to see the wonders and beauties of the tropics. This island suits those from all walks of life, from history buffs seeking to learn about its unique past to nature-lovers wanting to admire its untouched wilderness. Vieques is the place for a perfect vacation!

Which place is cheaper, Vieques Island 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 Vieques Island is $170. 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 Vieques Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montego Bay $104
    Vieques Island $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montego Bay $208
    Vieques Island $184
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Vieques Island

Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Vieques Island? 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 Vieques Island


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montego Bay $15
    Vieques Island $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • MBJ Airport to Strawberry Hill Hotel & Spa Transfer: $243
  • Private Transfer to Island Gully Falls: $240
  • Black River and YS Falls Adventure with Transfer: $235
  • Airport-Negril Hotels Transfers and Returns For 1- 4 persons: $230
  • Private Transfer From Montego Bay Area or Airport MBJ to Kingston: $215
  • Private Transfer to Kingston: $215
  • Kingston Airport Transfer (Montego bay,Negril,Ocho rio): $214
  • Iberostar Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $200
  • Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Kingston Hotels: $195
  • Negril Hotel Private Transfer Service: $190
  • Sangster Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $186
  • Zoetry Montego Bay Airport Transfers MBJ (Private Roundtrip Exclusive): $180

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vieques Island

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

  • Taxi Transfer From San Juan Airport to El Conquistador Hotel: $115
  • Private Transfer Fajardo or Ceiba to San Juan Airport: $150

Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Vieques Island?

Prices for flights to both Vieques Island 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
    Vieques Island $54

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.

  • Dinner or Lunch with Pickup from Montego Bay: $40
  • 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
  • Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $130
  • Rick’s Cafe Cliff Diving, Sunset & Dinner Tour with Transportation : $130
  • Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Montego Bay: $147
  • Sunset Boat Ride in the Falmouth Luminous Lagoon swim and Dinner : $165
  • 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
    Vieques Island $34
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
  • Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
  • Blue Hole Adventure Tour : $120
  • Catamaran Party Cruise and Snorkeling from Montego Bay: $220
  • Dirt Adventure ATV from Montego Bay: $160
  • Falmouth Mystic from Montego Bay Luminous Lagoon Night Tour: $90
  • Floyds Pelican Bar Private Tour : $155
  • Green Grotto Cave Private Tour: $115
  • Horseback Riding and Tour from Montego Bay : $230
  • Jetski Experience: $245

Tours and Activities in Vieques Island

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

  • Puerto Rico Guided Adventure in El Yunque Rainforest: $45
  • El Yunque Waterfalls and Waterslide River Tour: $50
  • Overnight Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Vieques Island: $56
  • Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo: $65
  • Bioluminescent Bay Night Kayaking Tour in Laguna Grande Fajardo: $65
  • Isla de Vieques Beach Sightseeing Day Tour: $70
  • Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo: $72
  • Private Tour to the East Side of Puerto Rico: $95
  • Snorkeling Tour to Vieques Island: $100
  • Fajardo Afternoon Snorkeling Boat Tour: $110
  • Mosquito Bay Kayak Experience in Vieques: $115
  • Icacos Island All-Inclusive Snorkel and Boat Tour : $125

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montego Bay $13
    Vieques Island $30

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
  • Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $215


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

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 Vieques Island Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Vieques Island?

Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Vieques Island. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Vieques Island, 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 Vieques Island?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Montego Bay or Vieques Island in the Summer?

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

Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than Vieques Island. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. 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 Vieques Island. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 287 hours of full sun.

Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Vieques Island in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F) 
    Vieques Island 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Vieques Island in the Autumn?

Both Vieques Island 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. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Vieques Island. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

It's quite sunny in Vieques Island. 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 Vieques Island during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Vieques Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Vieques Island averages at about 28°C (82°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F) 
    Vieques Island 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Vieques Island in the Winter?

Both Vieques Island 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round.

Montego Bay usually gets more rain in January than Vieques Island. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Vieques Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vieques Island. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 240 hours of full sun.

In January, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F) 
    Vieques Island 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Vieques Island in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Vieques Island. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Vieques Island. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vieques Island this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Vieques Island during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.

Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Vieques Island in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F) 
    Vieques Island 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Vieques Island and Montego Bay

Montego Bay Vieques Island
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)