Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Montevideo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montevideo or Montego Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montevideo and Montego Bay 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: Montevideo or Montego Bay?
Montevideo
As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $63Montego Bay $203
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $63, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is $203. 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 Montevideo and Montego Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontevideo $39Montego Bay $104
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $78Montego Bay $208
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Montego Bay
Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Montego Bay? 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: Montevideo Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $7.32Montego Bay $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $12
- Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo City: $21
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $26
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
- Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
- Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo - Arrival Private Transfer: $49
- 1 - way - Transfer from Carrasco Interational Airport to Montevideo: $51
- Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport MVD to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport MVD: $72
- TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $80
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Montego Bay?
Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Montevideo 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 dayMontevideo $13Montego Bay $84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
- El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango & Folklore in Montevideo: $98
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montevideo $21Montego Bay $32
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
- Montevideo's Culture and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Museo Andes 1972 / Crash Memorial Admission Ticket: $8.00
- Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $13
- Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo : $25
- Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers - AudioGuided: $26
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $28
- Shared Montevideo Tour for Cruisers: $30
- Old City Walking Tour with Private Photographer: $30
- Walking Tour with Photographer and Audioguide: $31
- City Sightseeing Tour: $32
- Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers: $35
- The Best Montevideo City Tour: $36
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 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontevideo -Montego Bay $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:
- Half Day Tour at Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $120
- Juanico Wine Tour Lunch: $132
- Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
- Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210
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 Montevideo and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Montevideo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montevideo is in South America and Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Montevideo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montevideo 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 Montevideo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montevideo Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Montego Bay?
Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and Montego Bay, 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 Montevideo or Montego Bay?
Montevideo 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 Montevideo or Montego Bay in the Summer?
Both Montego Bay and Montevideo during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
In January, Montevideo is generally cooler than Montego Bayin July. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 24°C (75°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montevideo. In the summer, Montevideo often gets more sunshine than Montego Bayin July. Montevideo gets 296 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun.
Montevideo usually gets more rain in January than Montego Bayin July. Montevideo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyMontevideo 24°C (75°F)Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or Montego Bay in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montevideo and Montego Bay. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Montevideo is much colder than Montego Bay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. Montevideo usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during autumn. Montevideo gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montevideo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Montevideo usually receives less rain than Montego Bayin October. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberMontevideo 17°C (63°F)Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or Montego Bay in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Montevideo as well as Montego Bay. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.
In the winter, Montevideo is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montevideo in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 24°C (75°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. In the winter, Montevideo often gets less sunshine than Montego Bayin January. Montevideo gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun.
Montevideo usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Montego Bayin January. Montevideo gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMontevideo 11°C (52°F)Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or Montego Bay in the Spring?
Both Montego Bay and Montevideo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Montevideo is generally cooler than Montego Bayin April. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 17°C (63°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montevideo. Montevideo usually receives more sunshine than Montego Bay during spring. Montevideo gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Montevideo. In October, Montevideo usually receives more rain than Montego Bayin April. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilMontevideo 17°C (63°F)Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Montevideo
| Montevideo | Montego Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
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.