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

Should you visit Setubal or Montego Bay?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Setubal and Montego Bay can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Setubal or Montego Bay?

Setubal

Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.

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 2-Week Tours in Portugal, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Setubal?

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 Setubal is €149, 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 Setubal and Montego Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Setubal 59
    Montego Bay 85
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Setubal 118
    Montego Bay 170
Compare Hotels in Setubal and Montego Bay

Looking for a hotel in Setubal 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 Setubal


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: Setubal Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Setubal 54
    Montego Bay 12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal

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

  • Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach Taxi Boat Transfer Round Trip: $24
  • Boat Transfer to Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach with Return: $24
  • Setúbal: Ilha Deserta Boat Transfer with Free Time: $29
  • Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $102
  • Transfers (Lisbon - Évora) / (Évora - Lisbon): $286

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • Kingston: One Way Private Transfer to Montego Bay Airport: $319
  • Private Airport Transfers To and From Kingston (KIN) Airport: $200
  • Horseback Ride/Swim and Blue Hole Falls Daytrip with Transfers: $190
  • Green Grato Caves and Dunns River Falls with Private Transfer : $180
  • Riu Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $169
  • Private Martha Brae Bamboo Rafting Tour with Private Transfer: $135
  • Club Mobay VIP Lounge Access and Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $113
  • Private Transfer to Dunns River Blue Hole Tubing from Montego Bay: $110
  • Private Transfer to Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole: $110
  • Experience Jamaica Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $100
  • Airport Transfer Service In Montego bay: $95
  • Sandals South Coast Airport Transfer: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Setubal or Montego Bay?

Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Setubal 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
    Setubal 60
    Montego Bay 119

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Setubal

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

  • Lisbon Guided Tour with Live Fado Show and Traditional Dinner : $205

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.
    Setubal 12
    Montego Bay 26

Tours and Activities in Setubal

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.

  • Evora from Celts to Romans: Exploration Game and Tour: $7.17
  • Secrets of Setúbal: Exploration Game and Tour: $7.17
  • Explore the Highlights of Evora: Self-Guided GPS and Audio Tour: $8.32
  • Wines tour and tasting with history in Atalaia: $18
  • Underwater viewing tours along the coast of Sesimbra: $30
  • Évora or Montemor-o-Novo: Guided Tour to Escoural Caves: $30
  • Gatsby Experience: The Bartender Challenge: $30
  • Kayaking experience on DE beaches DA Arrábida: $36
  • Sesimbra Walking Tour: $42
  • Sesimbra : Guided Kayak Tour in Arrábida Natural Park & Caves : $42
  • Half-Day Kayak Tour in Sesimbra: $42
  • Boat Tour - Arrábida Coves: $42

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
    2.24
  • Snorkeling Trip
    16
  • One Tank Dive
    31
  • 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:

  • Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
  • Dunn’s River Secret falls with Horse-back&Bamboo Raft Experience: $125
  • Falmouth Mystic from Montego Bay Luminous Lagoon Night Tour: $90
  • Luminous Lagoon Glow in the Dark Boat Tour from Montego Bay: $65
  • Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118
  • Private Dolphin Cove Adventure : $250
  • 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
  • 3 Hours Private Highlights Tour & Shopping in Montego Bay Jamaica: $100
  • 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
  • 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
  • ATV Adventure and Rick's Cafe Tour with Transportation: $238
  • ATV Jungle Safari Tour from Montego Bay: $125

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Setubal 10
    Montego Bay 11

Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:

  • Workshop - Wine Tasting 101: $72
  • Sesimbra: Half-Day Tour to Arrabida with Wine Tasting: $143
  • Half Day Wine Tour Around Evora: $156
  • Lisbon Getaway: Private Arrabida Wine Tour with Cheese Tasting: $213

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

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


Which is Bigger, Setubal or Montego Bay?

Setubal has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Setubal 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 Setubal or Montego Bay?

Setubal 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 Setubal or Montego Bay in the Summer?

Both Montego Bay and Setubal during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.

In the summer, Setubal is cooler than Montego Bay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Setubal in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 28°C (82°F).

In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Setubal. In the summer, Setubal often gets more sunshine than Montego Bay. Setubal gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun.

Setubal usually gets less rain in July than Montego Bay. Setubal gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Setubal or Montego Bay in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Setubal and Montego Bay. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Setubal is generally cooler than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 19°C (66°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In Setubal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Setubal usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during autumn. Setubal gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Setubal usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Setubal gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Setubal 19°C (66°F) 
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Montego Bay in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Setubal as well as Montego Bay. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.

Setubal is much colder than Montego Bay in the winter. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. In the winter, Setubal often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Setubal gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun.

Setubal receives a lot of rain in the winter. Setubal usually gets more rain in January than Montego Bay. Setubal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Setubal 12°C (53°F) 
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Montego Bay in the Spring?

Both Montego Bay and Setubal are popular destinations to visit in the spring 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 spring, Setubal is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Setubal in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Setubal. Setubal usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay during spring. Setubal gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Setubal usually receives around the same amount of rain as Montego Bay. Setubal gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Setubal 16°C (60°F) 
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Setubal

Setubal Montego Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)