Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Salto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Salto or Montego Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salto or Montego Bay, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Salto or Montego Bay?
Salto
Salto is in the citrus growing region of Northern Interior Uruguay, on the east bank of the Rio Uruguay. It is closely connected to the neighboring Argentinian city of Concordia that lies across the river on the western bank. Salto is Uruguay's second-largest city and the most northerly crossing point to Argentina. Salto is a very picturesque city that has a relaxing feel the entire year. However, people mostly come here for the nearby hot springs and the recreation area above the enormous Salto Grande hydroelectric dam.
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 Adventure Tours to Uruguay, and The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalto $71Montego Bay $203
The average daily cost (per person) in Salto is $71, 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 Salto and Montego Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalto $30Montego Bay $104
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalto $60Montego Bay $208
Compare Hotels in Salto and Montego Bay
Looking for a hotel in Salto 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: Salto Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salto $22Montego Bay $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Airport Transfer To Hotels in Negril : $60
- Airport Transfer To S Hotel (Round-trip): $35
- Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels (Round-Trip): $54
- Airport Transfers to Iberostar Hotel (Round-trip): $53
- MBJ Airport Private Round Trip Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay Area: $27
- Riu Reggae , Riu Palace & Riu Mobay Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $11
- Round-Trip Transfer Airport Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay : $41
- Roundtrip Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Meliá Braco Hotel: $80
- Shared Airport Transfer To Montego Bay Hotels: $55
- 2727lounge/Magarativille/Pier1 & taboo nightlife private transfer: $35
- Airport Transfer To Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa: $60
- Airport Transfer to Excellence Oyster Bay and Royalton: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Salto or Montego Bay?
Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Salto 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 daySalto $25Montego Bay $84
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salto $18Montego Bay $32
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:
- Greenwood Great House Entry Ticket: $20
- Cinnamon Hill Great House Tour - Home of Johnny Cash: $23
- Skip the Line: Rose Hall Great House & Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Private Shopping Tour in Montego Bay with Hotel Pickup: $35
- Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
- Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour: $35
- Skip the Line: Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden Admission Tickets: $35
- Shopping and Sightseeing Tour of Montego Bay City: $39
- Shopping and Sightseeing Local Guided Tour In Montego Bay: $40
- Bamboo Rafting, Hip-Strip & Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $40
- Montego Bay Walking Tour: $40
- Private Montego Bay Shopping Tour with Transportation: $45
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySalto $13Montego Bay $13
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 Salto and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Salto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Salto 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 Salto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salto 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 Salto.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salto Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salto or Montego Bay?
Salto has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Salto 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 Salto or Montego Bay?
Salto 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 Salto or Montego Bay in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salto and Montego Bay. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Salto is generally cooler than Montego Bayin July. Daily temperatures in Salto average around 25°C (77°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In Salto, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salto usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay during summer. Salto gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun in the summer.
Salto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Salto usually receives more rain than Montego Bayin July. Salto gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySalto 25°C (77°F)Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Salto or Montego Bay in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Salto as well as Montego Bay. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.
Salto is cooler than Montego Bay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Salto averages around 19°C (65°F) in April, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. In the autumn, Salto often gets less sunshine than Montego Bayin October. Salto gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. Salto receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Salto usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Montego Bayin October. Salto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSalto 19°C (65°F)Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Salto or Montego Bay in the Winter?
Both Montego Bay and Salto are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Salto is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salto in July average around 12°C (54°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 24°C (75°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. Salto usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during winter. Salto gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Salto usually receives around the same amount of rain as Montego Bayin January. Salto gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySalto 12°C (54°F)Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Salto or Montego Bay in the Spring?
Both Montego Bay and Salto during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
In October, Salto is generally cooler than Montego Bayin April. Daily temperatures in Salto average around 18°C (64°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Salto. In the spring, Salto often gets more sunshine than Montego Bayin April. Salto gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Salto. Salto usually gets more rain in October than Montego Bayin April. Salto gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSalto 18°C (64°F)Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Salto
| Salto | Montego Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (65°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (69°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 119 mm (4.7 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.