Which place is cheaper, West Palm Beach or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or West Palm 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 West Palm 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 West Palm 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.
West Palm Beach
One of Florida's most dynamic cities, West Palm Beach encapsulates the best of a metropolitan city all while nestled in the warm serenity of a tropical paradise. Located in southern Florida, about an hour's drive north of Miami, West Palm Beach holds a population of 99,919 and is one of the three main cities in South Florida. This city is known for its unique culture, world-class dining, and extensive shopping districts. From young to old, everyone can find their own niche in such a pleasant, diverse city. No matter what time of the year it may be, you can be assured that it is gorgeously sunny in West Palm Beach!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesWest Palm Beach Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $259West Palm Beach $378
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $259, while the average daily cost in West Palm Beach is $378. 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 West Palm Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102West Palm Beach $234
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204West Palm Beach $468
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and West Palm Beach
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or West Palm 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 West Palm Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15West Palm Beach $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Jet Car Adventure in Montego Bay Daytrip with Transfers: $300
- Club Night Life Round-Trip Private Transfer in Montego Bay: $300
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Negril Hotels: $270
- Ocho Rios Hotels / Resort - Airport Transfers: $267
- Explore Montego Bay Jamaica Luxury Round TTransfer in Montego Bay: $253
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Kingston Hotels: $245
- Airport-Negril Hotels Transfers and Returns For 1- 4 persons: $230
- Negril Hotels / Resort - Airport Transfers: $213
- Iberostar Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $200
- Private Airport Transfer in Montego Bay: $200
- Luxury Suburban Private Airport Transfer with Chauffeur: $200
- Airport Transfer From Kingston: $200
Hired Cars and Shuttles in West Palm Beach
Also for West Palm Beach, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Palm Beach Airport Private Hotel Transfer up to 5 passengers: $37
- Palm Beach Intl Airport (PBI) to Port of Palm Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
- Port of Palm Beach to Palm Beach Intl Airport (PBI) - Departure Private Transfer: $41
- Private Transfer in West Palm Beach (PBI) Airport/Home/Hotel/Work: $59
- Private Transfer from Palm Beach to Palm Beach Cruise Port: $71
- Private Transfer from Palm Beach Port to Palm Beach Airport (PBI): $71
- Private Transfer from Palm Beach Airport (PBI) to Palm Beach Port: $71
- Palm Beach Intl Airport (PBI) to Port of Palm Beach - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $82
- Cruise Port of Palm Beach to Palm Beach hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $107
- Departure Private Transfer: Palm Beach to Palm Beach Airport PBI in Luxury SUV: $117
- Cruise Port of Palm Beach to Palm Beach Arrival Private Transfer: $153
- Palm Beach Airport (PBI) to Palm Beach City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or West Palm Beach?
Prices for flights to both West Palm 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 $142West Palm Beach $114
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 Dining Experience in Montego Bay: $40
- Dinner or Lunch with Pickup from Montego Bay: $50
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
- Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $85
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $117
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $135
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
- Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer: $150
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Authentic Jamaican Cooking Experience in the Mountain from mobay: $210
- PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $210
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in West Palm Beach
For West Palm Beach, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mornings in the Market Food Tour: $80
- Downtown West Palm Beach Food Tour: $94
- Downtown Food Tour: $94
- Food Tour of Historic West Palm Beach Neighborhoods: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32West Palm Beach $19
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$2.68
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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:
- “ATV Adventure & Rick’s Café Experience from Montego Bay: $123
- 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
- 2 Days Of Blue Hole, Dunns River Falls & Hidden Beauty Adventure: $180
- 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
- 3-Hour Private Tour in the Highlights of Montego Bay: $58
- 4 Hour ATV & Horse Back Riding Private Tour (Transportation Only): $105
- 4 Hours Private Night Life Experience in Montego Bay: $66
- 4-Hour Catamaran Party Cruise with Open Bar from Montego Bay: $200
- 5 Hour Private Tour at Negril Beach and Rick's Cafe: $150
- 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
- 7 Mile Beach Party Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling & Ricks Cafe: $115
- 7 in 1 Day Jamaican Adventure with Jhadano Tours: $50
Tours and Activities in West Palm Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for West Palm Beach.
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in West Palm Beach by Wacky Walks: $10
- 45-Minute Candy Evolution Tour with Guide: $13
- Bulk Candy Store Tour: $13
- Norton Museum of Art Entry Ticket: $18
- Sound Bath Meditation and Yoga Experience: Retail Therapy Gift for Women: $25
- Stuart Ghost Tour: Sinister Sins & Shadows Ghost Tour: $26
- Palm Beach Ghost Tour: $30
- Guided Snorkel Tour Phil Foster Park (HIGH TIDE ONLY-FREE VIDEOS): $40
- Jurassic Adventure Escape Room Game (2-8 Players) Jupiter: $40
- Harbor Happy Hour Cruise – Complimentary Craft Beer & Wine: $55
- Mimosas, Mansions & Megayachts Tour: $59
- Craft Beer and Wine Sunset Cruise in Palm Beach: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13West Palm Beach $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and West Palm Beach, we can see that West Palm Beach is more expensive. And not only is Montego Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and West Palm 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 Montego Bay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montego Bay 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 West Palm Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in West Palm Beach than you might in Montego Bay.
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 West Palm Beach Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or West Palm Beach?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of West Palm Beach. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and West Palm 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 West Palm Beach?
West Palm 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 West Palm Beach in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as West Palm Beach. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to West Palm Beach in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as West Palm Beach. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and West Palm Beach fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in West Palm 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 West Palm Beach. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while West Palm Beach receives 316 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in West Palm Beach. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than West Palm Beach. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)West Palm Beach 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or West Palm Beach in the Autumn?
Both West Palm 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.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as West Palm Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and West Palm Beach fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in West Palm Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than West Palm Beach during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while West Palm Beach receives 275 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in West Palm Beach. It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than West Palm Beach. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in West Palm Beach is June to November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)West Palm Beach 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or West Palm Beach in the Winter?
Both West Palm 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. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to West Palm Beach because of the cuisine.
In the winter, Montego Bay is a little warmer than West Palm Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and West Palm Beach averages at about 65°F (19°C).
In West Palm Beach, 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 West Palm Beach. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while West Palm Beach receives 243 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as West Palm Beach. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)West Palm Beach 65°F (19°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or West Palm Beach in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and West Palm Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to West Palm Beach this time of year.
In April, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as West Palm Beach. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and West Palm Beach fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in West Palm 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 West Palm Beach during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while West Palm Beach receives 300 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than West Palm Beach. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in West Palm Beach.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)West Palm Beach 74°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for West Palm Beach and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | West Palm Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 65°F (19°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 8.1 inches (207 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.5 inches (166 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 83°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 9.8 inches (250 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 8.7 inches (222 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (56 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.