Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Riga?
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 Riga or Montego Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Montego Bay? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Riga or Montego Bay?
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
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.
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Riga Prices
Latvia PricesMontego Bay Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €122Montego Bay €217
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €122, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is €217. 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 Riga and Montego Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €52Montego Bay €85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €104Montego Bay €170
Compare Hotels in Riga and Montego Bay
Looking for a hotel in Riga 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: Riga Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €9.63Montego Bay €12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $43
- Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $45
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minivan: $51
- Private Transfer Riga International Airport RIX to Jurmala City: $51
- Transfer from Riga center to Airport: $53
- Transfer from Riga Airport to Riga Old city: $53
- Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $57
- Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $57
- Private Transfer to anywhere in Riga Center: $60
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga Cruise Port: $60
- Departure Transfer from Riga to Riga Airport RIX by Car or Van: $68
- Private transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga city by Car or Van: $68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $9.26
- Hyatt Zillara or Ziva Rose Hall private Transfers: $10
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril *Air Conditioning : $10
- Montego Bay Hotels Airport Private Transfers : $10
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport : $10
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Sangster International Airport Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $12
- Grandiosa Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
- El Greco Resort Private Airport Transfer : $13
- Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
- Private Transfer to Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach/Montego Beach : $13
- RIU Palace reggae and RIU Montego Bay private airport transfers : $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Montego Bay?
Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Riga 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 dayRiga €57Montego Bay €119
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch€5.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Central Market Traditional Food Tour in a Small Group: $41
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $53
- Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $70
- Exclusive Igloo for Lunches, Dinners and Events: $72
- Latvian Art Museum, Dinner, and Black Balsam Tasting: $210
- Pizza Making Master Class in Riga: $251
- Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $252
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour : $40
- Lunch or Dinner Dining Experience in Montego Bay : $40
- Street Food Tour in Montego Bay: $59
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica : $130
- Dinner or lunch at pier one Montego bay Food Tour: $144
- Cooking Class in Montego Bay with Home Chef: $150
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer : $150
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations : $175
- PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €14Montego Bay €26
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- An audio tour of Old from St Peter's Church to the Monument of Freedom: $6.99
- Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $8.21
- Canal Boat Tour with Welcome Drink & Audio Guide: $8.21
- Panorama Riga Observation Deck Ticket: $9.38
- Old Town Electrobus Tour + Audio Guide & Drink: $9.38
- Riga Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.57
- Riga Canal and Daugava Boat Tour with Welcome Drink & Audio Guide: $9.58
- Evening or Sunset Boat Tour with Welcome Drink: $10
- Rowing boats and Pedal boat rental - River Cruises Latvia: $11
- Riga English Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $11
- Evening or Sunset Boat Tour with Drink and Audio Guide: $11
- Riga Golden Autumn Canal & River Cruise | River Cruises LV: $11
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€2.24
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Snorkeling Trip€16
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One Tank Dive€31
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride€36
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- The Ultimate Montego Bay Night Life Experience: $25
- Montego Bay Cruise Ship Port Transportation Service : $26
- Montego Bay Shopping Private Tour: $26
- Skip the Line: Rose Hall Great House and Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Lethe Rafting And Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay : $30
- Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
- Doctors Cave Beach Roundtrip Tour in Montego Bay: $30
- Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
- Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
- Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
- Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour with Admission: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Montego Bay €11
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $21
- Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
- Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Riga: $35
- Riga Pub Crawl: $41
- Latvian Brewery Visit & 5 Beer tasting: $47
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $50
- Game Night & Pub Crawl: $52
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $59
- Riga Brewery Tour: $59
- Prosecco Bike & Pub Crawl: $65
- Riga Brewery Tour: $77
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $94
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:
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $231
- Montego Bay Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Riga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga is in Europe 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 Riga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Riga 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 Riga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Montego Bay?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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 Riga or Montego Bay?
Riga 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 Riga or Montego Bay in the Summer?
Both Montego Bay and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Riga in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Riga is much colder than Montego Bay in the summer. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In July, Riga usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Riga or Montego Bay in the Autumn?
Both Montego Bay and Riga during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Riga for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
In the autumn, Riga is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Riga in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Montego Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Riga usually gets less rain in October than Montego Bay. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Riga or Montego Bay in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Montego Bay. The winter months attract visitors to Riga because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Riga can be very cold. In January, Riga is generally much colder than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Riga average around -5°C (23°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Riga or Montego Bay in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Montego Bay. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Riga this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.
Riga is much colder than Montego Bay in the spring. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in April than Montego Bay. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Riga
| Riga | Montego Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.