A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salto vs. Montego Bay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.


Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Salto?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Salto is $86, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is $255. 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 person
    Salto $29
    Montego Bay $100
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salto $58
    Montego Bay $200
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.

Hotels in Salto


Hotels in Montego Bay


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 $21
    Montego Bay $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • Montego Bay Private Transfer with Airport Pickup and Dropoff : $20
  • Shared Airport Transfer To Montego Bay Hotels: $55
  • Airport Transfer Service In Montego bay: $95
  • Brown Boss Private Airport Transfers: $20
  • Club Mobay VIP Lounge Access and Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $113
  • Eden Bay Private Airport Transfer: $50
  • Excellence Oyster Bay Private Transfer: $40
  • Excellence Resort Private Airport Transfer: $40
  • Experience Jamaica Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $100
  • Experience private Airport Transfer to Falmouth: $50
  • From Kingston One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay Airport: $44
  • Grand Palladium Resort Private Transfer: $40

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 day
    Salto $41
    Montego Bay $139

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.

  • Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $10
  • 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
  • Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica : $130
  • Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
  • Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations : $158
  • PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $190

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salto $17
    Montego Bay $31

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
    $2.63
  • Snorkeling Trip
    $18
  • One Tank Dive
    $37
  • 1.5 Hr Horseback Ride
    $42

Tours and Activities in Montego Bay

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:

  • Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
  • Luminous Lagoon Admission Tickets: $40
  • Jet Car Experience/ clear kayak photo shoot in Montego Bay: $40
  • Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage: $50
  • 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
  • Montego Bay Sight Seeing with Tour Guide : $50
  • Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $54
  • Bamboo Rafting Adventure with Limestone Massage from Montego Bay: $55
  • Montego Bay & Falmouth Hotels, Souvenir Shopping and sightseeing: $60
  • Private Tour in Dunns River Falls: $60
  • Luminous Lagoon Glow in the Dark Boat Tour from Montego Bay: $65
  • Private Montego Bay Customized Tour with Pickup and Guide: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salto $13
    Montego 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


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 July
    Salto 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 October
    Salto 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 January
    Salto 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 April
    Salto 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)