Which place is cheaper, Virginia Beach or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach?
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.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. It's a popular beach destination and has many of the characteristics of most southeastern beach towns. There are many activities that you can enjoy and there's a concrete boardwalk that runs parallel to the water for about three miles. The boardwalk is a fun place to walk or bicycle. The beach itself is wide and sandy and is a great place to soak up some sun. During the summer months and school holidays it can get quite crowded and you might struggle to find a place for your towel and beach chairs. There are also many beach side resorts that line the water front. Most have pools and hot tubs where you can relax and some hotels have indoor pools as well, which can be nice during the cool winter months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Virginia Beach $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Virginia Beach is $126. 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 Virginia Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Virginia Beach $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Virginia Beach $142
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Virginia Beach
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Virginia Beach? 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 Virginia Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Virginia Beach $39
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Virginia Beach
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:
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Beach Parking$10
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Virginia Beach?
Prices for flights to both Virginia Beach 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 $84Virginia Beach $30
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Virginia Beach $21
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 Virginia Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Virginia Beach.
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Virginia Beach by Wacky Walks: $10
- Neptune Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour: $26
- Neptune Ghosts: Ghosts of the Coast By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- Sunset Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tour: $45
- Morning Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tour: $45
- Ziplining and Climbing at The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium: $59
- Dolphin Stand-Up Paddleboard Tour: $60
- Wetland Zip Tour: $65
- Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours: $68
- Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour: $68
- Kayak Dolphin Tours | Must Know How to Swim: $78
- Dolphin Kayak Tour in Virginia Beach Must know how to swim: $87
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Virginia Beach $11
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 Virginia Beach, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach.
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 Virginia Beach Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Virginia Beach. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Virginia Beach. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than Virginia Beach. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Virginia Beach 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?
Both Virginia Beach 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, the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is much warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Virginia Beach averages at about 62°F (16°C).
It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Virginia Beach. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Virginia Beach 62°F (16°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Virginia Beach in the Winter?
Both Virginia Beach 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, many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Virginia Beach. In January, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Virginia Beach. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than Virginia Beach. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Virginia Beach 39°F (4°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Virginia Beach in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Virginia Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Montego Bay is much warmer than Virginia Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Virginia Beach during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Virginia Beach 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Virginia Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 49°F (10°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 5.7 inches (145 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 5.9 inches (150 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (79 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.