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

Should you visit Sendai or Montego Bay?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai 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: Sendai or Montego Bay?

Sendai

Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.

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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.


Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Sendai?

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

  • Sendai Prices
    Japan Prices
    Montego Bay Prices
    Jamaica Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Sendai $133
    Montego Bay $255

The average daily cost (per person) in Sendai is $133, 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 Sendai and Montego Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sendai $61
    Montego Bay $100
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sendai $122
    Montego Bay $200
Compare Hotels in Sendai and Montego Bay

Looking for a hotel in Sendai 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 Sendai


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: Sendai Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sendai $18
    Montego Bay $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sendai

Also for Sendai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Sendai City: Private transfer to/from Sendai Airport: $88
  • Odawara to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) -Departure Private Transfer: $103
  • Private Transfer from Sendai Airport to Sendai City: $187

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • Zoetry Montego Bay Airport Transfers MBJ (Private Roundtrip Exclusive): $180
  • VIP Airport Transfer to Hotel in Montego Bay: $30
  • Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
  • Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Runaway Bay: $163
  • Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Iberostar zone: $61
  • Tobys Resort Private Airport Transfer: $20
  • The Spa Retreat Boutique Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $50
  • Sunset at the Palms Negril Airport Transfers: $78
  • Sunset at the Palm Private Negril Airport Transfer : $52
  • Silver Sands Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $53
  • Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $9.26
  • Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Montego Bay International Airport: $19

Is it cheaper to fly into Sendai or Montego Bay?

Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Sendai 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
    Sendai $58
    Montego Bay $139

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sendai

For Sendai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Local Food Tour in Shiogama, Japan Top Tuna and Sushi Town: $135
  • Michinoku Coastal Trail Sake Tasting with Dinner: $143

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sendai $19
    Montego Bay $31

Tours and Activities in Sendai

For Sendai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Catch and Dine A Gourmet Fishing Experience in Miyagi: $24
  • Sendai and Matsushima Private Tour with Licensed Guide: $101
  • Local Foodie Tour, wander around the gourmet town: $120
  • Afternoon Cycling Tour in Naruko: $151

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:

  • 2 Days Of Blue Hole, Dunns River Falls & Hidden Beauty Adventure: $180
  • ATV Adventure to Seven Mile Beach and Ricks Cafe: $220
  • Bioluminescence Lagoon Tour from Montego Bay with Pick Up: $105
  • Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
  • Bob Marley Nine Mile and Dunn's River Falls Tour From Montego Bay : $300
  • Dirt Adventure ATV from Montego Bay: $160
  • Dunn’s River Secret falls with Horse-back&Bamboo Raft Experience: $125
  • Falmouth Mystic from Montego Bay Luminous Lagoon Night Tour: $90
  • Falmouth to Bob Marley Nine Miles and Dunns River Falls Tour : $250
  • Floyds Pelican Bar Private Tour : $155
  • Green Grotto Cave Private Tour: $115
  • Horseback Riding and Tour from Montego Bay : $230

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sendai $11
    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:

  • 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 Sendai and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Sendai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sendai is in Asia 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 Sendai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sendai 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 Sendai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sendai Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sendai or Montego Bay?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Sendai 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 Sendai or Montego Bay?

Sendai 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 Sendai or Montego Bay in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sendai as well as Montego Bay. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sendai this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.

Sendai is cooler than Montego Bay in the summer. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. In the summer, Sendai often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Sendai gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun.

Sendai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sendai usually gets more rain in July than Montego Bay. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sendai 23°C (73°F) 
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Sendai or Montego Bay in the Autumn?

Both Montego Bay and Sendai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Sendai is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sendai in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during autumn. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. It's quite rainy in Sendai. In October, Sendai usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sendai 15°C (59°F) 
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Sendai or Montego Bay in the Winter?

Both Montego Bay and Sendai during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Sendai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.

Sendai can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Sendai is generally much colder than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 2°C (35°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Sendai often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun.

Sendai usually gets less rain in January than Montego Bay. Sendai gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sendai 2°C (35°F) 
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Sendai or Montego Bay in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sendai and Montego Bay. Most visitors come to Sendai for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Sendai is much colder than Montego Bay in the spring. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 10°C (51°F) in April, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during spring. Sendai gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sendai usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Sendai gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sendai 10°C (51°F) 
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Sendai

Sendai Montego Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (35°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 2°C (35°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 5°C (40°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 10°C (51°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 133 mm (5.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 165 mm (6.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 21°C (69°F) 187 mm (7.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 15°C (59°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 9°C (49°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec 4°C (40°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)