Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Salvador?
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 Salvador or Montego Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador 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: Salvador or Montego Bay?
Salvador
Salvador de Bahia was the first capital of Brazil, founded by the Portuguese in 1549. Also known as "Brazil's capital of happiness," Salvador is famous for its plentiful and spirited street festivals. The third most populous city in Brazil, Salvador is also well-known for its Afro-Brazilian culture and Portuguese colonial architecture.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil.
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Salvador Prices
Brazil PricesMontego Bay Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $54Montego Bay $260
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $54, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is $260. 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 Salvador and Montego Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24Montego Bay $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48Montego Bay $204
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Montego Bay
Looking for a hotel in Salvador 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: Salvador Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salvador $6.11Montego Bay $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:
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Bus from Airport$1.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:
- Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $17
- Private Transfer to Salvador de Bahia airport (SSA): $18
- Tourism and Transfer Salvador and Morro de São Paulo: $24
- Salvador Airport Transfer to Salvador City Hotels: $26
- Private Transfer Airport/Hotels in Salvador: $26
- Shared Transfer - North Coast: $26
- Transfer Hotel in Salvador / Salvador Airport: $29
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel in Salvador: $29
- Private Transfer Salvador: $30
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel Litoral Norte: $36
- Transfer Hotel Litoral Norte / Salvador Airport: $36
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Salvador de Bahia airport (SSA): $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- 2727lounge/Magarativille/Pier1 & taboo nightlife private transfer: $45
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to any Resort in Montego Bay: $14
- Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden Private Transfer: $97
- Airport (MBJ) Round Trip Transfer in Montego Bay: $60
- Airport - Ocho Rios Hotels Transfers and Returns: $260
- Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfers, to Montego Bay Airbnb & Resorts: $53
- Airport Private Round Trip Transfer: $30
- Airport Private Transfers from Montego Bay to Hilton Rose Hall: $21
- Airport Transfer: $80
- Airport Transfer MBJ Montego Bay to Kingston: $150
- Airport Transfer To Dreams Rose Hall: $60
- Airport Transfer To Grand Bahia Principe Hotel: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Montego Bay?
Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Salvador 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 daySalvador $23Montego Bay $142
Typical Food Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:
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Dinner for 2$1.39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.
- Enjoy before flying: Cooking class near Salvador airport: $50
- Eat and drink before you fly: Cooking class near Salvador airport: $50
- 4h Cooking Class in Salvador with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $65
- 4h Cooking Class in 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $68
- Cooking class in Salvador, fun hands on experience with caips: $70
- Traditional Moqueca Cooking Class: $75
- Savour Salvador Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $75
- Bahia Bites Salvador Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $79
- Bahia Bites Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $80
- Brazilian Cooking Class with Unlimited Caipirinhas: $89
- Folk Show - Bahia Night (Dinner Included) by Salvador Receptivo: $105
- Bahia Noite - Folklore and Dinner Show, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $120
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Dinner or Lunch with Pickup from Montego Bay: $50
- Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour: $50
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
- Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $95
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $130
- Dinner or lunch at pier one Montego bay Food Tour: $144
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations: $175
- Authentic Jamaican Cooking Experience in the Mountain from mobay: $210
- PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $210
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.76Montego Bay $32
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $4.48
- City Tour in Salvador - Half Day: $20
- Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $20
- City Tour Salvador Panoramic: $20
- City Tour Salvador Historica: $20
- Beyond a Night Tour: An Autentic Bar Experience in Salvador: $22
- Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $24
- Historic City Tour in Salvador: $24
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $25
- Panoramic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Salvador Historical City Center Tour: $25
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$2.69
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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:
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- Margaritaville Hip-Strip and Great River Rafting Private Tour: $20
- Souvenirs and Gift shopping Tour in Montego Bay: $20
- Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Hip Strip Private Tour: $22
- Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
- Doctor Cave Beach and Hip Strip Shopping from Cruise Ship: $30
- Private Tour Souvenir Shopping in Montego Bay: $30
- Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
- Rose Hall Great House and Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Private Shopping Tour in Montego Bay with Hotel Pickup: $35
- Ricks Cafe and Negril Seven Miles Beach Irie Tour: $35
- Half-Day Private Guided Ricks Café & Negril Seven Mile Beach Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.47Montego Bay $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:
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Beers for 2$1.39
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Drinks$2.78
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 Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Salvador much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Salvador 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 Salvador would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salvador 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 Salvador.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salvador Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salvador or Montego Bay?
Salvador has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Salvador 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 Salvador or Montego Bay?
Salvador 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 Salvador or Montego Bay in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and Montego Bay. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Salvador this time of year. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Salvador is generally around the same temperature as Montego Bayin July. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 27°C (81°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 Salvador, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salvador usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay during summer. Salvador gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun in the summer.
Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Salvador usually receives more rain than Montego Bayin July. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. September to February in Salvador is the dry season. Also, March to August is the rainy season in Salvador.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySalvador 27°C (81°F)Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Montego Bay in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Salvador as well as Montego Bay. Many travelers come to Salvador for the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.
Salvador is around the same temperature as Montego Bay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 26°C (80°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, Salvador often gets less sunshine than Montego Bayin October. Salvador gets 190 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. Salvador receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Salvador usually gets more rain in April than Montego Bayin October. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 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 April and OctoberSalvador 26°C (80°F)Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Montego Bay in the Winter?
Both Montego Bay and Salvador are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Salvador in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Salvador is around the same temperature as Montego Bay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salvador in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 24°C (75°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. Salvador usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during winter. Salvador gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Salvador. In July, Salvador usually receives more rain than Montego Bayin January. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Salvador is September to February. The rainy season in Salvador is March to August.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySalvador 24°C (75°F)Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Montego Bay in the Spring?
Both Montego Bay and Salvador during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Salvador for the beaches during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
In October, Salvador is generally around the same temperature as Montego Bayin April. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 26°C (78°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 Salvador. In the spring, Salvador often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bayin April. Salvador gets 228 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 Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in October than Montego Bayin April. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 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 October and AprilSalvador 26°C (78°F)Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Salvador
| Salvador | Montego Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 310 mm (12.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 360 mm (14.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 175 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 143 mm (5.6 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.